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Music’s Horizontal Dimension: Melody

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Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 13, Slow Movement.

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Beethoven Piano Billy. Sonata Joel: “This Op. 13, Night” Slow Movement.

I. Melody A. Melody often defined negatively ØMelody not = lyrics, harmony, accompaniment, instruments B. Defined ØMelody = series of pitches and associated rhythms C. Melody implies prominence ØMelody vs. Accompaniment

II. Melodic Hierarchies Letter Note Word Motive Phrase Period Clause Sentence Paragraph Chapter Book Section Movement Complete Work

III. Melodic Motives A. Motive = short group (2 -8) of pitches that acquires structural significance B. Melodic motives tend to have both rhythmic and melodic (pitch) shape

IV. Phrases A. Defining phrases intuitively ØGoes together or singer breathes ØLike a clause, ends with punctuation B. Defining phrases technically Cadences = markers or signals of phrase endings ØOften rhythmic pause or relaxation ØMelody often descends at cadence ØHarmonic formulas = cadential formulas C. Deceptive cadences D. Elided phrases (phrase elision)

V. Periods A. Antecedent/Consequent Structures Ø 2 phrases go together as open/closed question/answer, less/more conclusive ØUsually antecedent cadence not on tonic; consequent cadence on the tonic 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 3 2 1

V. Periods A. Antecedent/Consequent Structures Ø 2 phrases go together as open/closed question/answer, less/more conclusive ØUsually cadence 1 not on tonic; cadence 2 on the tonic B. Three-phrase periods C. Sequences D. Identity/Variation/Contrast E. Phrase symmetry/asymmetry (length)

VI. Melodic Intervals A. Interval = distance (high-low) between two successive notes B. Melodic contour ØDepends on: 1) direction (up/down/same note) and 2) Type of motion §Conjunct or stepwise §Disjunct or angular = dominated by leaps, skips