melodic devices- melody

Organisation of pitch (melodically and harmonically

pitch (melodically and harmonically) ‘Pitch’ refers to how high or low sounds are

Conjunct

Synonym for ‘stepwise’ (see below)

Disjunct

Opposite of conjunct (or its synonym ‘stepwise’)

Interval

The distance between two neighbouring notes or two heard simultaneously. Most intervals are stated as ordinal numbers (2nds, 3rds, etc.) with an adjective expressing their major, minor, diminished or augmented character

Leap

A melodic movement to a note further than a tone or semitone away from the previous note. Opposite of ‘step’

Melody

A melody (or ‘melodic line’) is a succession of single sounds – most frequently an individual strand or part within a fuller musical texture. A melody is usually ‘tuneful’ or otherwise prominent or memorable

Melodic device

A compositional method applying to a single melodic line rather than to the complete texture (for example melodic sequence)

Monotone

Use of the same pitch repeatedly in a melodic part

Ornamentation

The process of elaborating or decorating musical material (particularly a melody). Includes conventional ornaments such as trills and turns

Riff

A short ‘catchy’ melodic phrase

Scale

A succession of pitches in stepwise order usually extending for an octave (e.g. C D E F G A B C is a (major) scale)

Sequence

Repetition of a melody (or an harmonic progression) but at different pitch level(s) rather than at the same pitch

Stepwise

Where a melody moves by steps (by tones and/or semitones) and not by leaps (of a 3rd or more)

Theme

A melody (or occasionally some other form of musical material) on which part or all of a piece is based