Lecture 3--Structures
Today we are going to look at:
Melody
Harmony
Texture
Key Terms
Melody
Tune
Motive
Theme
Phrases
Balance
Parallel phrase
Sequence
Climax
Cadence
Form
Melody
Often the primary
bearer of musical
meaning and interest;
the structure most
likely to move the
listener
An organized series of
pitches
Usually coherent,
makes musical
sense
In succession, one
note at a time (you
can sing it!)
A structure that
combines pitch and
rhythm
Tune
A special kind of melody
•
•
•
•
•
Simple
Easy to sing
Often catchy
Familiar
May be a folk song, dance, pop song, patriotic
song, or a Christmas carol
Characteristics of Tunes
Divides into phrases
• Phrases often correspond to lines in the text
• Phrases are often 2, 4, or 8 measures long,
about as long as you can comfortably sing
without breathing
• Breaks between phrases give you a chance to
breathe
Characteristics of Tunes
Parallelism
• Repetition of phrases; strengthens sense of
balance, unity
• Can be exact repetition
 Of Phrase 1: “Whose broad stripes and bright stars”
• Or partial repetition
 Of Phrase 2: “That our flag was still there”
• Or repeat only the rhythm
 Compare Phrase 2 with Phrase 1
• Or use a sequence, repeating patterns at
higher or lower pitch levels
 “rockets’ red glare” and “bursting in air”
Characteristics of Tunes
Climax
Good tunes have form, a strong sense of
shape and direction
•
•
•
•
A clear, purposeful beginning
A feeling of action in the middle
A distinct high point, or climax
A sense of winding down at the end
Tune builds toward climax, then relaxes
Often an emotional high point
• “O’er the land of the free”
Characteristics of Tunes
Cadence
• Stopping, pausing, or breathing places
• Used to end phrases, sections, and entire
pieces
• Many shades of finality are desirable
• Can be strong, with great finality
 Useful to end sections and pieces; full stop
 “And the home of the brave”
• Or weak and less conclusive
 Useful for internal cadences; needs to go on
 “That our flag was still there”
Motives and Themes
Motive
•
•
•
•
Short, distinctive fragment of melody
Can be as short as two notes
Used to construct tunes, melodies, or themes
Can be repeated, transposed, reversed, turned
upside down, or fragmented
• Rhythmic motive—when only the rhythm is
repeated
Motives and Themes
Themes
• The basic subject matter for a piece of music
• Almost anything can be used as a theme, but
it’s usually a melody
• Can be a phrase, a motive, a tune, or a long
melody
Melody Listening
Things to listen for:
Phrases and cadences
Repetition and contrast
Motives and sequence
Balance, shape, and climax
Is it a tune?
Melodic character and emotional quality
Let’s Listen to Gershwin
Introduction to the Listening Chart