Arsenal Report
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Take 10
Melody
Welcome back to another Arsenal Report! This time we are diving more into the creative process by exploring the realm of melody.
Melodic Phrasing
I’d like to dive right in and then speak more in between the exercises. It’s cool to talk about, but we are in our double digit report. It’s necessary we are practicing and continue listening.
Exercise 1: Phrase Mapping
Let’s walk through an example of phrase mapping using a short melody:
Example Melody: C – E – G – A – F – D – C
1. Start by listening to the melody and identifying natural points of musical breath or musical punctuation. These are moments where the melody feels like it comes to a temporary rest or conclusion.
2. In our example, we can identify two distinct phrases:
– Phrase 1: C – E – G
– Phrase 2: A – F – D – C
It sounds as if we took a quick stop before the street light signals you to walk again. This is subjective, however, we can agree it’s two musical phrases.
3. Next, mark these phrasing points in the melody. You can use brackets or vertical lines to visually indicate the phrases:
Example Melody with Phrase Markings:
[C – E – G] | A – F – D – C
4. Discuss the reasons behind the chosen phrases. In our case, we can observe that the first phrase (C – E – G) feels like a complete musical idea, with a sense of resolution. The second phrase (A – F – D – C) then builds upon that resolution and creates a sense of continuation or contrast.
5. Further analyze and develop the melody by incorporating elements such as the contour, rhythm, and note choices within each phrase.
Remember, phrase mapping is a subjective exercise, and different interpretations are possible. I encourage you to listen actively, trust your musical instincts, and continue creating.
Contour: the shape and direction of the melodic phrase, as it moves up and down. The aim is to identify patterns, leaps, or stepwise motion that contribute to the melodic character, whether the contour rises, falls, or remains relatively stable.
In our example melody, [C – E – G], in terms of contour, we are ascending.
In our second phrase, A – F – D – C, we are descending.
Rhythm: affects the melody by influencing the feel and flow. Identify recurring rhythmic motifs, syncopation, or variations in note durations.
Rhythmic Motif: provides a basic rhythmic structure for melodic phrases. They can vary depending on the desired style, tempo, and artistic interpretation. The aim is to observe how the rhythm interacts with the underlying pulse or beat, creating tension, emphasizing certain notes, or providing moments of rest.
Exercise 2:
Rhythmic Motif 1:
Phrase 1: C – E – G
Let’s assign the following rhythmic values to each note:
C: Quarter note
E: Eighth note
G: Eighth note
This rhythm would be notated as:
C – E – G (quarter note – eighth note – eighth note)
Rhythmic Motif 2:
Phrase 2: A – F – D – C
Assigning rhythmic values:
A: Eighth note
F: Eighth note
D: Eighth note
C: Quarter note
The rhythm would be notated as:
A – F – D – C (eighth note – eighth note – eighth note – quarter note)
Say, if you want to do hip hop with the same melodic phrases
Rhythmic Motif 1:
Phrase 1: C – E – G
Let’s assign the following rhythmic values to each note:
C: Quarter note
E: Sixteenth note
G: Sixteenth note
This rhythm would be notated as:
C – E – G (quarter note – sixteenth note – sixteenth note)
Rhythmic Motif 2:
Phrase 2: A – F – D – C
Assigning rhythmic values:
A: Sixteenth note
F: Sixteenth note
D: Sixteenth note
C: Quarter note
The rhythm would be notated as:
A – F – D – C (sixteenth note – sixteenth note – sixteenth note – quarter note)
In hip hop, rhythmic motifs often emphasize syncopation, groove, and a strong sense of rhythm. Remember that these rhythmic motifs can serve as a starting point, and additional variations or embellishments can be added to suit the specific style and feel of the hip hop.
💡Metronome, you should always use it.
Note Choice: The specific notes chosen within each phrase contribute to its melodic character, emotional quality, and relationship to the accompanying harmony. The aim is to identify melodic intervals, chord tones, passing tones, and observe how certain notes create melodic tension or resolution, how they relate to the underlying chords, and how they contribute to the overall mood or expression of the phrase. In return you’ll gain the knowledge of recognizing melodic motifs, patterns, and the melodic interplay within the larger musical context.
Exercise 3:
Note Choice Breakdown
Phrase 1: C – E – G
In this phrase, we have the notes C, E, and G. Let’s analyze the note choices:
– Melodic Intervals: The interval between C and E is a major third, and the interval between E and G is a minor third. These intervals create a sense of movement and add a melodic contour to the phrase.
– Chord Tones: C, E, and G are the root, third, and fifth of the C major chord, respectively. These notes form the essential elements of the underlying harmony, providing a stable and consonant foundation.
– Passing Tones: None of the notes in this phrase function as passing tones, as they are all chord tones that directly contribute to the harmony.
– Melodic Tension and Resolution: Since all the notes in this phrase are chord tones, there is a sense of stability and resolution. However, the melodic intervals can still create subtle tensions and releases within the phrase.
– Relationship to the Underlying Chords: The notes C, E, and G directly correspond to the C major chord. They establish a strong connection to the underlying harmony, creating a cohesive and harmonically grounded melody.
Phrase 2: A – F – D – C
Now let’s analyze the note choices in the second phrase:
– Melodic Intervals: The interval between A and F is a minor sixth, the interval between F and D is a minor third, and the interval between D and C is a minor seventh. These intervals create a more complex and varied melodic contour compared to the first phrase.
– Chord Tones: A, F, D, and C are all notes that belong to the C major chord. A and C are the root and fifth, respectively, while F and D can be seen as passing tones or non-chord tones that add color and tension to the melody.
– Passing Tones: In this phrase, the notes F and D can be seen as passing tones, as they are not part of the underlying C major chord. They add melodic interest and create a sense of tension that resolves back to the chord tones.
– Melodic Tension and Resolution: The inclusion of passing tones (F and D) creates moments of tension that eventually resolve to the chord tones (A and C). This interplay between chord tones and passing tones adds movement and emotional expression to the melody.
– Relationship to the Underlying Chords: Although the passing tones (F and D) add tension and color, they still relate to the C major chord as they are in close proximity to the chord tones. The resolution back to the chord tones reinforces the connection to the underlying harmony.
By analyzing the note choices in each phrase, we dive into the melodic character, tension and resolution, relationship to the underlying chords, and overall mood or expression. This knowledge allows us to recognize melodic motifs, patterns, and the interplay between melody and harmony within the larger musical context.
Listening Song List:
Listen for note choices, melodic character, tension and resolution, relationship to the underlying chords, and overall mood or expression
1. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra: A classic jazz standard features a melodic line with smooth note choices that evoke a sense of romance and nostalgia. The tension and resolution are achieved through the melodic contour and the relationship to the underlying chords.
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen: One of the most memorable rock songs that showcases a diverse range of note choices and melodic motifs. From gentle verses to powerful choruses, the melodic character shifts dramatically, creating tension and resolution. The interplay between the melody and the complex harmonies adds depth to the overall mood.
3. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland: A timeless melody of this song has a dreamy and hopeful character. The note choices create a sense of yearning and longing, with moments of tension and resolution that reflect the emotional journey of the lyrics. The relationship to the underlying chords adds richness to the overall expression.
4. “All of Me” by John Legend: In this soulful ballad, the note choices contribute to the intimate and heartfelt mood. The melody features a mix of stepwise motion and leaps, creating moments of tension and resolution. The relationship between the melody and the underlying chords enhances the emotional impact of the song.
5. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana: A grunge anthem that showcases a melodic line with a raw and rebellious character. The note choices, with a mix of angular and distorted intervals, create tension and release. The interplay between the melody and the power chords in the underlying harmony adds to the overall mood of youthful angst.
Keep listening. Listen to your favorites. Don’t just hear the song or just learn the words. You’ll begin to notice your listening will show in your application.
Until next time, this has been your Arsenal Report!
Arsenal Report 10
Melody
Spyder Angelo’After the Rain’