Melody
Definition of Melody:
Melody is a succession of single pitches perceived as a whole, often referred to as the tune in music.
Unfolds over time
the horizontal dimension in music
do not have to be agreeable, just understandable (not all melodies are ‘pleasing’)
fundamental means of communication between composers/performers and listeners.
A melody may stand alone or be accompanied by a secondary melody (counter melody).
Elements of Melody:
Contour
The shape and movement of a melody
whether it moves up, down, or remains constant.
the visual representation of the melody’s shape (graphic representation)
Range
The distance between the lowest and highest notes, determining the span of pitches
Can be narrow or wide
the total span on the pitches present
Intervals
The distances between any two pitches
describes note to note relationships
conjunct (small, connected intervals) (two adjacent notes) (steps)
disjunct (disconnected intervals) (two non adjacent notes) (leaps)
Phrase
A unit of meaning within a larger musical structure
Often coincides with text lines and ends in a cadence
punctuates the music.
Cadence
The concluding notes or chords
mark the end of a section
can be either conclusive (providing a sense of finality) or inconclusive (suggesting more is to come).
important in the imaginal level of listening to music
where it feels it comes to a rest
cadences often involve a harmonic progression that leads to the tonic
Tonic:
the first scale degree of a diatonic scale
the central and most stable pitch in a musical piece.
In Western music, the most common tonic is the first note of a major or minor scale.
with authentic cadences, the final chords of the cadence often include the tonic chord.
Climax
The high point in a melodic line
representing a peak in intensity and range.
Modes
set = scale or modes. There is also different scale types
Diatonic = 7 notes in a row arranged in conjuct motion
Chromatic = provides color
Different types of tonality or scales
major
minor
atonal = lacks a clear tonal center or key.
Length
The number of measures a melody consists of
can be short or long.
Direction
the upward or downward movement of the melody in terms of pitch.
Ascending
Decending
Shape
how the melody moves
Whether the melody moves predominantly by…
steps (smooth) = Conjunct
leaps (jagged) = Disjunct
Register
Relative placement of pitches from high to low
Structure
The texture or organization of the melody.
Usage
Can be motivic (based on short melodic fragments)
Can be thematic (a longer melody serving as the basis for development)
Can be complete (a melody that recurs in its entirety)
Pitch
Pitch Determined by its frequency (number of vibration per second)
Depends on the length or size of a vibrating object
(faster vibration, short string = higher frequency)
(slow, long string = low frequency)
Represent each pitch with a note thats on a staff
Notes designate the frequency and the duration (length of time, of the pitch)
Has a certain volume
loudness or softness
Has a distinct quality known as tone, color, or timbre
this is what distinguishes voices from instruments or instruments from instruments
1 Cycle or Hz
Higher and lower pitches defined how?
wave frequency
wave intensity
octave (8ve)
Wave Frequency (Pitch):
Definition: Pitch in sound is related to the frequency of sound waves.
Explanation: Higher pitch sounds are produced by waves with higher frequencies, meaning they vibrate faster per second.
Wave Intensity:
Definition: Intensity or amplitude of sound waves influences our perception of volume or loudness.
Explanation: the intensity of sound waves affects how we perceive volume. Higher amplitude doesn't necessarily mean a higher pitch, but it can influence how loud a sound appears.
Octave (8ve):
Definition: an octave is a specific interval between two pitches where the frequency of one pitch is double (or halved) the frequency of the other.
Explanation: Moving up or down by an octave results in a doubling or halving of the frequency, but the perceived pitch remains the same. For instance, if a note has a frequency of 440 Hz (A4), the next higher octave (A5) will have a frequency of 880 Hz.
Rhyme Scheme: The arrangement of rhyming words or corresponding sounds at the end of poetic lines