MELODY 1

Week 4

WEEK 4 - OVERVIEW
This week - broad melodic concepts for emulation.
CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS:
1)
2)
3)

How can I understand and describe the component parts of the melody?
How does the melody create contrast between sections?
How does the melody create tension and release, within sections, and between sections?

TOPICS:

Contours
Motifs
Phrasing
Melodic rhythm

Melodic Contour
DEFINITION:
The melodic contour is the overall (or averaged) pattern of the movement of
pitches. We can use the notion of melodic shape to describe motifs
(fragments), phrases (longer musical statements that include development of
motifs), sections (often comprising several phrases), systems (eg
verse+chorus), and even entire songs.

Melodic Contours

Melodic Motif
DEFINITIONS:
Melodic Motif: The motif is the smallest structural unit possessing thematic
identity. It is a short musical idea; a salient recurring fragment.
Musical Development: A melodic motif that is subsequently altered,
repeated, or sequenced throughout a piece or section of a piece of music.

Melodic Motifs and Contours

LISTENING: Firework, Katy Perry

How many motifs make up the verse sections?

How many motifs make up the pre-chorus section?
How many motifs make up the chorus sections?
How would you describe the melodic contours of each section?

Melodic Phrasing
CONSIDERATIONS:
i. Phrase beginning in bar
ii. Phrase ending in bar
iii. Phrase length
iv. Phrase starting on Strong or Weak bar?
v. Anacrusis

Melodic Phrasing
LISTENING: Hearts A Mess, Gotye

How many motifs make up the verse sections?

How many motifs make up the chorus sections?
How would you describe the melodic contours of each section?
How would you describe the melodic phrasing within each section?

How is contrast created between the sections?

Characteristics of a Melody - REVIEW

Use these melodic concepts to understand and describe a melody:
1.
2.
3.

SCALE: Pentatonics (major, minor, blues scale); Major; Minor; Modal

Range/Tessitur
Stable and unstable tones
i. Guide or chord tones
ii. Non-chord tones
iii. Degrees of instability 1,5,3,6,2,4,7
iv. Chromatic tones

Characteristics of a Melody - REVIEW

Use these melodic concepts to understand and describe a melody:
3. Melodic Cadences
i. Last note of lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 of a verse
ii. Stable/Unstable melodic endings
4. Conjunct/Disjunct motion
i. Intervals
ii. Verse
iii. Chorus
iv. Leap function in chorus
v. Balance: Pleasing to ear, Serves the lyric, Expressive to sing

Characteristics of a Melody - REVIEW

Use these melodic concepts to understand and describe a melody:
5. Melodic Rhythm
i. Sequence of notes of various durations
ii. The relation of these notes to the strong/weak positions within a bar
iii. Repetition of a sequence

LISTENING: Dont Dream Its Over, Crowded House

How many motifs make up the verse sections?

How many motifs make up the chorus sections?
How would you describe the melodic contours of each section?
How would you describe the melodic phrasing within each section?
How would you describe the melodic rhythm within each section?
How is contrast created between the sections?
Are there any surprising or peak melodic moments? How are they
created?

Creating Peak Melodic Moments

Emphasising melody notes
i. Highest so far
ii. Strong beat of bar
iii. Longer duration
iv. Precede by notes of shorter duration

Analysis - Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

How many motifs make up a phrase? How many phrases make a section?
How would you describe the melodic contours of each section?
How would you describe the melodic phrasing within each section?
How is contrast created between the sections?
Are there any surprising or peak melodic moments? How are they
created?
How could you use the melodic concepts of this song to create a new
melody? What would you change/keep the same in order to emulate
the overall feel while creating something original?

Mid-Tri Assessment
Assessment 1 Mid-Trimester Submission
Students select one of the three listed songs for lyric, melodic and harmonic
analysis. Each student will submit a Ghost Song based on their chosen
Parent song a Lyric, Melodic and Harmonic emulation in Demo form (Vocal
plus accompaniment) as an .mp3 or .wav file, as well as a simple Lead Sheet
(notated Chords and Melody) and Lyric sheet as .pdfs. Accompanying the
sound file submitted will be a summary of the relevant lyric, melodic and
harmonic devices employed in your chosen Parent song and an mp3 of the
Parent song. (250 words)

Mid-Tri Assessment
SONG CHOICES:
1.
2.
3.

Grenade, Bruno Mars

One More Dollar, by Gillian Welch
Weather With You, by Crowded House

LYRICS:

Type of language used (Dimensions)

Song Form

HARMONY:

Role of the Tonic

Progression/chord choice (eg line cliche)
Harmonic rhythm
Contrast between sections
Modal borrowing
Modulation

MELODY:

Melodic contour
Melodic rhythm
Melodic phrasing
Notes emphasized (pitch, duration, strong beats, phrasing)
Phrase development/motif repetition/variation

HOMEWORK
ANALYSE:
Analyse the melodic techniques of your chosen Parent Song (from list of 3).
Answer the list of questions:

How many motifs make up each section?

How would you describe the melodic contours of each section?
How would you describe the melodic phrasing within each section?
How is contrast created between the sections?
Are there any surprising or peak melodic moments? How are they created?
How could you use the melodic concepts of this song to create a new melody? What
would you change/keep the same in order to emulate the overall feel while creating
something original?

HOMEWORK
ANALYSE:
Analyse the harmonic techniques discussed in Week 3. Answer the following
questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What key is the song in?

How is the tonic used in each section?
What techniques are used to create contrast between sections?
From the list of Harmonic Concepts, which are most important to the genre/style/character of
the song?
What could you change but keep the style consistent?
What ideas could you borrow regardless of style/genre?

HOMEWORK
WRITE:
Write a verse and chorus that use melody techniques from your analysis as
inspiration.
Create a recording (simple) of your melody.
Upload to weebly.