It is usually the intervallic leaps, however, that give a melody character and cause the melody to assume more of a memorable profile.Ĭonjunct motion produces a smooth vocal lineĭisjunct motion is more difficult to sing.Ĭonjunct and disjunct motion, working together, usually produce a good result. Most vocal melodies consist of conjunct motion, which is the most natural and comfortable to sing. There are two types of melodic motion: conjunct motion, which proceeds by step from one scale degree to the next (i.e., by the interval of a 2nd) and disjunct motion, which proceeds by leap (i.e., by intervals larger than a 2nd).Ī melody assumes character by a number of means: its rhythmic structure, its contour, its tonal makeup, and its intervallic content. Conjunct and Disjunct Melodic Motion: What Does it Mean? In the following example, phrase 1 and phrase 2 group together to form a longer phrase phrase 3 and phrase 4 group together to form a longer phrase. Short phrases usually group together to form a longer phrase. A melodic phrase usually defines itself by resting or holding or coming to some point of resolution (rhythmically and/or tonally) and, especially in vocal music, is directly related to the natural areas to breathe. Melodic PhraseĪ melodic phrase, much like a sentence or clause in verbal language, usually encompasses a complete musical statement. The melody is usually the most memorable aspect of a song, the one the listener remembers and is able to perform. Melody is a succession of pitches in rhythm.
The two basic elements of music that define melody are pitch and rhythm. The following is excerpted from Chapter 1 of Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs by Jack Perricone, published by Berklee Press.
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