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Chapter 6. Melodic Organization. What is it?. The organization of melodic thought and the ways in which units are combined into larger and larger sections.
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Chapter 6 Melodic Organization
What is it? • The organization of melodic thought and the ways in which units are combined into larger and larger sections. • Written language is made meaningful through the grouping of sentences and paragraphs, melody is grouped into convenient and meaningful units or sections.
Motive • Also known as motif • A short, recurring figure that appears throughout a composition or section of music. • The smallest building block of music.
Melodic Motive • A repeated pitch pattern • Usually recurs accompanied by the same or similar rhythmic pattern
Rhythmic Motive • A recurring rhythmic pattern in a piece of music. • Melodic motives typically contain rhythmic motives, however in many cases rhythmic motives function independently of melodic patterns.
Sequence • An immediate restatement of a melodic or longer figure in the same instrumental part at a higher or lower pitch. • Each separate unit of the sequence forms a segment.
Sequence • Characteristics of a sequence • A sequence requires at least two segments. • Most sequences contain no more than three or four segments. • Sequences usually have only one direction: the segments succeed each other at continuingly higher pitches or continuingly lower pitches. • Sequence segments usually continue by the same interval distance.
Sequence • Real sequence • Contains continuing segments that are exact transpositions of the first segment. Every tone is transposed at exactly the same intervallic distance.
Sequence • Tonal sequence • Accommodates the diatonic scale, so that only diatonic notes of the scale are used. This means that the transposition of the segments may not be exact.
Sequence • Modified Sequence • Some of the segments may be decorated or embellished.
Sequence • False Sequence • Repeats part of a figure and states the remainder in sequence-a mixture of sequence and repetition.
Phrase • A phrase is a substantial musical thought ending with a harmonic, melodic, or rhythmic cadence. • The presences of a cadence distinguishes a phrase from a motive. • Phrases are frequently four measures long, but may be longer or shorter. • A phrase presents a complete music thought.
Phrase Member • Phrases frequently contain slight melodic interruptions and thus divide into two phrase members. • Phrase members are sufficiently separated, usually by a longer note value or rest, to distinguish them as individual units. • Sometimes the second phrase member is either a repetition or a sequence of the first; however, it is just as often contrasting.
Period • Two adjacent phrases may combine to form a period if: • The second phrase ends with a strong cadence-usually perfect authentic. Closure (finality) must be achieved at the end of the second phrase. • The first phrase ends with a weaker cadence than the second. A half cadence is common at the end of the first phrase. • The two phrases bear some musical relationship to each other. Often, they create a “question-answer” effect called antecedent-consequence. The first phrase acts as the antecedent and the second phrase acts as the consequent.
Parallel Period • Two adjacent phrases form a parallel period if they both begin in the same manner. • Both phrases may be nearly identical except for the cadences, or they may be only similar for a measure or two. • See Figure 6.11 and 6.12 on page 125
Contrasting Period • A contrasting period results when the two phrases are not similar in melodic content. • The second phrase may be different • Change in the melodic contour (shape) • Dissimilar rhythmic figure • Differ in the lack of reference material contained in the first phrase. • See Figure 6.13 on page 127
Three Phrase Period • A period with three phrases • Organized as A A B, (antecedent, antecedent, consequent) or A B B. • The third phrase ends with a stronger cadence than either of the first two • See Figure 6.14 on page 127
Double Period • Also known as the four-phrase period • Allows for a variety of phrase relationships • Same principles as the two-phrase periods • The fourth phrase has a strong cadence • See Figure 6.15 in page 128
Repeated Phrases • Not typically regarded as periods • The second phrase is not dependent on the first • Antecedent-consequent concept does not apply • See Figure 6.16 on page 129
Nonperiod Construction • Sometimes phrases may be unrelated or lacking in closure • This constitutes dissimilar phrases
Modification of the Phrase • Composers sometimes modify a phrase in one way or another • Lengthen • Write modifications • Provide some sort of variety
Modification of the Phrase • Phrase Extension • Length of phrase is increased • Beginning Extension • See Figure 6.17 on page 130 • Internal Extension • See Figure 6.18 on page 130 • Cadential Extension • See Figure 6.19 on page 130
Modification of the Phrase • Change of Mode • Changes key to the parallel minor or vice versa • See Figure 6.21 on page 131