Topic to teach non-music people?

Question:In my Communications class I have to perform an Enhance Understanding Speech (about 5 minutes long), and talk about something I have some expertise in. I want to explain something about music, and show my classmates how they can better understand the music they hear every day. However, what do I teach them that doesn't need a lot of musical background? I'm a music major so I understand all this stuff, but so much of it needs a background knowledge!!! I was thinking of even going the route of explaining something about a wind ensemble... I need help!!

Do you have any ideas of what I could talk about? Thanks everyone!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In my Communications class I have to perform an Enhance Understanding Speech (about 5 minutes long), and talk about something I have some expertise in. I want to explain something about music, and show my classmates how they can better understand the music they hear every day. However, what do I teach them that doesn't need a lot of musical background? I'm a music major so I understand all this stuff, but so much of it needs a background knowledge!!! I was thinking of even going the route of explaining something about a wind ensemble... I need help!!

Do you have any ideas of what I could talk about? Thanks everyone!!

Stick to one the basics:

1. Time (Rhythm/Tempo)
2. Melody
3. Harmony
4. Timbre (be careful... most musicians have a difficult time discussing this)
5. Texture (not as tough as timbre but needs background.)

I put these in an order from easy to explain to hardest. I would stick with rhythm and engage the audience. One way to do this is to not say anything, just go in front of the class and clap a rhythm until someone joins in. Something that begs a response might be best (i.e. A shave and a hair cut...two bits). Once you have them "do" rhythm, then talk about the background.

Tip: stick to what you know. If you don't know much about rhythmic modes don't mention them. Notating rhythm is pretty easy, just keep it simple and leave out things you don't need.

No staves, clef signs, or anything else that is not essential. you can even use alternate methods of notating if teaching 1/4 notes, 1/8 notes, etc is not your thing.

Good Luck.

Here are a couple of ideas:

soundwaves .... related to music, but not only music

types of ensembles ... duet, trio, concerto, string quartet, chamber choir, etc. You'd be amazed how many people have absolutely no clue what any of it means. But you don't really need a lot of background knowledge to understand an explanation.

I like the piano teacher's idea on acoustics. You mighe even want to relate it to an often asked question on this forum-why does my voice sound different on a recording than what I hear in my head? A bit about the brain, the cilia receptors in the ears ( why Beethoven went deaf as an anecdote).
Or, while I'm on the brain, some of the latest research about
endorphins and why musicians seem to get high without drugs ( they're built in, heh-heh)
Or the danger of hearing loss due to too much exposure through ear buds, headphones and over-the-top volume....