1.1.2
Melodic Devices
Sequences and Imitation
Sequences and Imitation
Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.
Sequence
Sequence
- This is the most commonly used melodic device and is when a short melodic idea is moved up or down a step.
- This can be either an ascending (going up) or descending (going down) sequence.
Example
Example
- For example:
- Original melody = C D E G.
- Ascending sequence = D E F A (every note up one step in the musical scale.)
- Descending sequence = B C D F (every note down one step in the musical scale).
Set works
Set works
- Sequences are very common in Baroque and Classical music.
- Therefore they are important features in the Bach, Purcell and Beethoven set works.
- See if you can spot some ascending and descending sequences in these pieces.
Imitation
Imitation
- Although we usually refer to imitation as a type of musical texture, it can also be a useful term when discussing melodic pitch.
- Imitation is basically when a short musical idea (or motif) is played or sung by one part and then immediately copied by another.
- This can be an exact repetition, but is usually a slightly altered version of the original motif.
Set works
Set works
- Imitation is used extensively in the Brandenburg Concerto set work by Bach.
Ornamentation
Ornamentation
Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.
Ornamentation
Ornamentation
- Ornamentation refers to the various ways in which a melody can be ‘decorated’.
- These are not normally written out in full notation, but are indicated using symbols.
- The main ornaments to be aware of are:
Trills
Trills
- Trills: a rapid repetition of two notes which are next to each other.
Mordents
Mordents
- There are two types of mordent:
- Upper mordent:
- Going from the first note quickly UP to the next note and then DOWN again to the original note.
- Lower mordent:
- Going from the first note quickly DOWN to the next note and then UP again to the original note.
- Upper mordent:
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Acciaccatura
Acciaccatura
- Acciaccatura: A note that is played very quickly, immediately before a melody note.
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A turn
A turn
- A turn is a bit more complicated!
- It follows this order:
- Original note → note above → original note → note below → original note.
- E.g. CECBC
- Examples of these ornaments can be found in the Bach, Beethoven and Purcell set works.
Other Melodic Devices
Other Melodic Devices
Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.
Leitmotifs
Leitmotifs
- A leitmotif is a short melodic idea which represents a particular character, place or mood.
- Leitmotifs were originally used in operas but can be found in musical theatre and film/TV music.
Examples
Examples
- Good examples of famous leitmotifs are:
- The Jaws theme.
- Darth Vader’s Imperial March.
- The Shire Theme from Lord of the Rings.
Set works
Set works
- Leitmotifs can be found in these set works:
- John Williams (Star Wars).
- Stephen Schwartz (Defying Gravity).
Diatonic or chromatic?
Diatonic or chromatic?
- These two words tend to come up a lot in the GCSE music course.
- It is really important you understand the difference between them as they are really useful when answering questions about melody and harmony.
Diatonic
Diatonic
- Diatonic means that the notes in the melody are based entirely on the scale of the key signature.
- For example, a diatonic melody in C Major would only use the notes C D E F G A B C.
Chromatic
Chromatic
- Chromatic refers to melodic notes which are not in the scale of the key signature.
- For example, a chromatic melody in C Major may include the notes F# or Bb (both of which are not in the scale of C Major).
1Musical Elements
2Instrumental Music 1700–1820
2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
3Vocal Music
3.1Purcell: Music for a While
4Music for Stage & Screen
4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity
4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
5Fusions
5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release
5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
Jump to other topics
1Musical Elements
2Instrumental Music 1700–1820
2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
3Vocal Music
3.1Purcell: Music for a While
4Music for Stage & Screen
4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity
4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
5Fusions
5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release
5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
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