Difference between revisions of "Melody"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late [[Latin]] melodia, from [[Greek]] melōidia [[chant]]ing, [[music]], from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late [[Latin]] melodia, from [[Greek]] melōidia [[chant]]ing, [[music]], from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing | ||
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : a sweet or agreeable [[succession]] or arrangement of [[sounds]] : tunefulness | *1 : a sweet or agreeable [[succession]] or arrangement of [[sounds]] : tunefulness | ||
*2 : a [[rhythmic]] succession of single [[tones]] [[organized]] as an [[aesthetic]] [[whole]] | *2 : a [[rhythmic]] succession of single [[tones]] [[organized]] as an [[aesthetic]] [[whole]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''melody''' (from Greek μελῳδία - melōidía, "singing, [[chanting]]"[1]), also tune, [[voice]], or line, is a [[linear]] succession of musical [[tones]] which is [[perceived]] as a single [[entity]]. In its most [[literal]] sense, a melody is a [[sequence]] of [ | + | A '''melody''' (from Greek μελῳδία - melōidía, "singing, [[chanting]]"[1]), also tune, [[voice]], or line, is a [[linear]] succession of musical [[tones]] which is [[perceived]] as a single [[entity]]. In its most [[literal]] sense, a melody is a [[sequence]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_(music) pitches] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duration durations], while, more figuratively, the term has occasionally been extended to include successions of other musical elements such as [[tone]] [[color]]. |
| − | Melodies often consist of one or more musical [ | + | Melodies often consist of one or more musical [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrase_(music) phrases] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif_(music) motifs], and are usually repeated throughout a song or piece in various [[forms]]. Melodies may also be described by their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodic_motion melodic motion] or the pitches or the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(music) intervals] between pitches (predominantly conjunct or disjunct or with further restrictions), pitch range, tension and release, continuity and coherence, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadence_(music) cadence], and shape. |
==Elements== | ==Elements== | ||
Given the many and varied elements and [[styles]] of melody "many extant explanations [of melody] confine us to specific stylistic [[models]], and they are too exclusive." Paul Narveson claimed in 1984 that more than three-quarters of melodic [[topics]] had not been explored thoroughly. | Given the many and varied elements and [[styles]] of melody "many extant explanations [of melody] confine us to specific stylistic [[models]], and they are too exclusive." Paul Narveson claimed in 1984 that more than three-quarters of melodic [[topics]] had not been explored thoroughly. | ||
| − | The melodies existing in most European [[music]] written before the [ | + | The melodies existing in most European [[music]] written before the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century 20th century], and popular music throughout the 20th century, featured "fixed and easily [[discernible]] [[frequency]] [[patterns]]", recurring "[[events]], often [[periodic]], at all [[structural]] [[levels]]" and "recurrence of durations and patterns of durations". |
| − | Melodies in the 20th century have "utilized a greater variety of pitch [[resources]] than has been the [[custom]] in any other historical period of Western music." While the [ | + | Melodies in the 20th century have "utilized a greater variety of pitch [[resources]] than has been the [[custom]] in any other historical period of Western music." While the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatonic_scale diatonic scale] is still used, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_scale twelve-tone scale] became "widely employed." Composers also allotted a [[structural]] role to "the qualitative dimensions" that previously had been "almost exclusively reserved for pitch and rhythm". Kliewer states, "The [[essential]] elements of any melody are duration, pitch, and quality ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbre timbre]), [[texture]], and loudness. Though the same melody may be recognizable when played with a wide variety of timbres and [[dynamics]], the latter may still be an "element of linear ordering".[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody] |
[[Category: Music]] | [[Category: Music]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:22, 13 December 2020
Etymology
Middle English melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melodia, from Greek melōidia chanting, music, from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing
- Date: 13th century
Definitions
- 1 : a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds : tunefulness
- 2 : a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole
Description
A melody (from Greek μελῳδία - melōidía, "singing, chanting"[1]), also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity. In its most literal sense, a melody is a sequence of pitches and durations, while, more figuratively, the term has occasionally been extended to include successions of other musical elements such as tone color.
Melodies often consist of one or more musical phrases or motifs, and are usually repeated throughout a song or piece in various forms. Melodies may also be described by their melodic motion or the pitches or the intervals between pitches (predominantly conjunct or disjunct or with further restrictions), pitch range, tension and release, continuity and coherence, cadence, and shape.
Elements
Given the many and varied elements and styles of melody "many extant explanations [of melody] confine us to specific stylistic models, and they are too exclusive." Paul Narveson claimed in 1984 that more than three-quarters of melodic topics had not been explored thoroughly.
The melodies existing in most European music written before the 20th century, and popular music throughout the 20th century, featured "fixed and easily discernible frequency patterns", recurring "events, often periodic, at all structural levels" and "recurrence of durations and patterns of durations".
Melodies in the 20th century have "utilized a greater variety of pitch resources than has been the custom in any other historical period of Western music." While the diatonic scale is still used, the twelve-tone scale became "widely employed." Composers also allotted a structural role to "the qualitative dimensions" that previously had been "almost exclusively reserved for pitch and rhythm". Kliewer states, "The essential elements of any melody are duration, pitch, and quality (timbre), texture, and loudness. Though the same melody may be recognizable when played with a wide variety of timbres and dynamics, the latter may still be an "element of linear ordering".[1]
