Motivic development and construction Pt 1 Flashcards
How do we write a melody that is easily memorised? (3 things) [SC mem melodies]
- Lower information density
- Grouping & patterning
- Repetition
What affects the information density of a motive? [SC mem melodies]
- Amount of new information
- Familiarity
When writing memorable melodies, explain the relationship between the amount of new information and the amount of repetition [SC mem melodies]
The more new information, the more you have to repeat.
The less new information, the less you have to repeat.
Explain the phone number analogy? [SC mem melodies]
555-5555: has familiarity, grouping, patterning, and repetition, while being very light on information.
123-4567: has familiarity, grouping, and patterning, but lacks repetition and has more information.
256-9874: has familiarity and grouping, but lacks a discernable pattern, repetition, and has more information.
What is a motive? [SC mem melodies]
A group of notes that is perceived as a unit by the listener.
It is identifiable and recognisable.
How unique should a motive be? [SC mem melodies]
It can be very unique, or it can be very simple. The important thing is that it is heard as a recognisable group.
When varying a motive, what do you need to ensure? [SC mem melodies]
That the motivic integrity is maintained, such that the listener can still identify the motive and hear it as a group.
How long is a motive? [SC mem melodies]
Usually short, but this doesn’t matter. What matters is that it is heard as a group.
How does simple harmony help make motives more memorable? [SC Mem melodies]
Lower information density.
In motivic development, what is truncating? [SC Mem melodies]
Truncating means removing notes from the start or the end of the motive.
Usually the end, but you can remove notes from the start as well.
Do listeners care about exact intervals? [SC Mem melodies]
No, it’s more about contour, direction and whether it’s a step or a leap.
Rhythm is much more important.
How can we increase the feeling of grouping? [SC Mem melodies]
Vary rhythm and note lengths between notes at the start and end of the phrase.
Also, using rests and long notes for separation.
What are the 3 steps to coming up with a full melody through motivic development? [SC Mem melodies]
- Write a bunch of different motives with some unifying quality. e.g. Long note leaps to 3 short notes.
- Choose your favourite, and run it through all of our development tools
- Choose the favourites and lace them together to make a melody.
How do we analyse great melodies? [SC Mem melodies]
- Identify the motive
- Analyse the contour, intervals, direction and rhythm
- Compare the subsequent phrases with the main motive, assess the development techniques used
What is the challenge Alain set that was based on the Flight Of The Valkyries? [SC Mem melodies]
Write an identifiable, recognisable melody that is only based on arpeggiated triads.
This requires a strong sense of rhythm
