Song Terminology Flashcards
What is sequencing in a melody?
When you take a melody/motif and start it on a different note than the original
What is a melody retrograde?
When a melody is played in the reverse rhythm/tones from its original
What is a melody inversion?
Adjusting the pitch of the melody so it goes the opposite direction with the same amount of steps
How to do a retrograde inversion melody?
Take the same notes played but flip the direction (inversion) they are played in and also the order they are played in (retrograde)
What is pitch and rhythm augmentation/diminution?
Playing a phrase and expanding/contracting the tonal range and/or speed of which the phrase is played
What is melody truncation?
Shortening a phrase/motif into a smaller phrase (sometimes repeating)
EX 1 - motif is “Don’t stand so close to me,” from this we induce that the main motif is first truncated to “Don’t stand”, then truncated again into “Don’t stand so.”
EX 2 - (fragmentation) “Umbrella” by Rihanna and JAY-Z, where at the end of the chorus, she sings the phrase: “Umbrella, ella, e, e.”
What is inherent harmonies?
How does this simplify melody writing?
The few notes that are the foundation of the structure and feel of phrase
Ideal to lock in these notes first so you can add any in-between notes as additional flavor.
