Scales and Melody Flashcards
Interval
The distance between two pitches.
Unison
Two pitches that match exactly. Same Hz and vibration.
Octave
A pitch vibrating exactly twice as fast as another. Duplication at a higher pitch level.
Asymmetry is crucial for ___ ___.
Aural orientation.
Points at which we feel at rest exist in ___ scales, but not in ___ scales.
Diatonic, chromatic.
Is there a sense of arrival in chromatic scales?
No.
The asymmetry of the diatonic scale creates ___, where one note leads into the other.
Function.
Melody
Organized series of pitches. Single line of pitches in time.
Melody is a ___ concept (referred to as melodic line).
Linear.
Tunes
A subset of melody.
What distinguishes a tune and melody?
If you can’t sing it, it is not a tune. However, it can be a melody.
Motive
- A distinctive fragment of a melody.
- Building block of melody or music.
- Can be repeated, flipped inside out, turned around, etc.
Theme
- What closely correlates to tune.
- The topic of the larger work.
- Unit upon which the composer bases his work, a movement, or a section.
- Too big to be called motive.
Phrase
A subsection of a melody. Something you have to breathe after.
Balanced Phrases
They are the same length.
Parallel Phrases
Audibly similar, but varied, ability to answer one another. Not the same length. Uses motives from the first phrase.
Sequence
Successive varied repetition of a motive or phrase at two or more different pitch levels.
Climax
A high point of intensity, and often of pitch.
Cadence
- A point of rest (interim or final).
- Often a longer notes.
- Often on a point of arrival in the scale (asymmetry).
