A Melody is a succession of single notes that add up to a recognizable whole.
Melodies are structured in similar way to speech.
Melody - notes form phrases form periods
Speech - words form phrases form sentences
Cadence - occur at the end of a phrase
Incomplete Cadence- acts like a comma
Complete Cadence - acts like a period
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC 2
PHRASE STRUCTURE
Phrase structure can be analyzed by the relating melody of each phrase to what preceded it. There are three relationships to consider.
Letters of the alphabet are used for phrase and form analysis in music.
Repetition a a means the second phrase is the same as the first
Contrast a b means the second phrase is different
Variation a a’ means the second phrase is similar in some ways
but different in other ways
Sequence -is a particular type of variation when the melodic shape and rhythms are the same but the pitches are different.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
a b
Mary Had a Little Lamb
a a’
Home on the Range
a a’ b a’
HARMONY
Harmony relates to how notes sound together. The are two important aspects of harmony are:
1. Chords- click here for an in depth look at chords
2. Chord Progressions - click here for an in depth look at chord progressions and functions
Just You, Just Me
Nat King Cole
AABA
32 MEASURE POP SONG FORMS
Sometimes I’m Happy
Nat King Cole
ABAB’
It’s Only a Paper Moon
Nat King Cole
Intro A A B A
Ch1 vocal-----------
Ch 2 tpt gt tpt
Ch3 pno pno+tpt
Ch4 xxxxxxx vocal Coda
