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Techniques of Melodic Composition

Plainsong: Singing is unaccompanied Sung by monks in Latin Performed in Roman Catholic services Melody is modal Resonant acoustics in big churches, cathedrals Leaps in melody are usually 4ths or 5ths. Melody moves mostly by step Monophonic texture (1 line of melody sung at a time)

Serialism Tone row (Prime order) includes all 12 chromatic pitches 20th century technique, made by Schoenberg Detailed dynamics and articulation give serial melodies structure Notes must always be heard in the correct order Variations on tone row include: inversion, retrograde, inversion retrograde Atonal: no sense of tonic home note.

Impressionism Based on whole tone scale 20th Century technique made by Debussy Whole tone scale is made up entirely of whole tone intervals Linked with impressionism in art Whole tone scale sounds ‘dreamy’

The Blues Fusion of American and African music growing out of the slave trade Call and response Swung rhythms Improvisation Blue notes and the blues scale 12 bar blues based on chords I, IV and V Syncopated rhythms anticipate the beat

Indian Classical music Much is based around improvisation Rag: a group of notes like a scale that the melody is based on Tabla plays rhythmic improvisations Tal: a cycle of beats that rhythm of based on Sitar plays the melody

Gamelan Music from Indonesia Based on cycles of melodies played at different speeds Uses metallic instruments Drums keep a steady beat

Choir: Vocal Ranges Soprano: Highest female voice Alto: Lowest female voice Tenor: Highest male voice Baritone: between tenor and bass Bass: lowest male voice

Structure: Binary: AB Ternary: ABA (or ABA1 where 1 is a variation to A) Rondo: ABACADA (A: refrain B,C,D: episodes)

Baroque 1600-1750 Melody: Simple, decorated with many ornaments, trills, mordents Harmony: Simple, no harsh dissonant chords, based mostly on primary chords (I, IV, V) Phrasing: Balanced phrases, dialogue and imitation between instruments, NOT call and response. Orchestra: Small ensembles, mostly strings with harpsichords, organ or recorders. Composers: Bach, Handel

Classical 1750-1830 Melody: Simple, sometimes decorated with ornaments Harmony: Simple, no harsh dissonant chords, based mostly on primary chords Phrasing: Balanced, regular 4 bar phrases, question and answer, not call and response. Orchestra: Small orchestra, mostly strings with a few woodwind and brass, percussion is mostly timpani playing tonic and dominant, also could include piano. Composer: Mozart, Haydn

Dance Music

Pavane Part of a suite of dances from the Renaissance period The Pavane is the first dance. It is slow and stately In 4/4 time Modal Often has a drone accompaniment Balanced phrases Danced at court in pairs. Formal dance, big heavy costumes

Galliard Followed the Pavane, often based on the same melody ¾ time, fast and lively Modal Dotted rhythms allow for a jump. Dance in pairs but not as formal as a Pavane Strings, lute, tabor are common instruments.

Viennese Waltz Romantic period first became popular in Vienna with Johann Strauss. ¾ time Um cha cha feel, bass note of a chord accents the first beat of every bar. Harmonies are simple and change slowly (slow harmonic pace) Melody is in balanced phrases, flowing and lyrical. Played by higher instruments (stings, flutes) in orchestra. Played by a large symphony orchestra Rubato (slowing down and speeding up) is sometimes used although a steady beat is generally needed to dance to the waltz. Partner in a ballroom, formal, social occasion. Upper class dance to set steps. Piano waltzes are common, but tend to be freer and therefore not suitable for dancing.

1970s Disco Began in the USA 120 beats per minute, fast tempo, usually 4/4 time Uses much technology: Reverb Multi tracking Looping Synthesisers Drum machines Use of hook lines and memorable melody Short guitar riffs Simkple verse and chord structures Informal, relaxed dance in clubs or discos No set dance steps – people can dance how they like Dancers can dance alone or in big groups Amplified sound – loud.

Traditions and innovations

Salsa:

Cuban Son: Son is a dance song from Cuba Structured around the son clave rhythm Uses lots of percussion to form complex cross rhythms Call and response between pregon (lead singer) and choro (chorus) during montuno section. Sung is Spanish or Portuguese Melodies move in 3rd or 5ths. Simple harmonies based on chords I, IV and V. Ostinato patterns are based on syncopated rhythms.

American Jazz: Big band instruments are used Brass instruments have stab chords Dialogue between different instruments Use of riffs Piano and uitar use the compong style Syncopated rhythms.

Bhangra

Punjabi Folk Dance Folk music to celebrate the end of the harvest Music led by the dhol drum playing the chaal rhythm Bols are used to help the dhol player know which strokes to use (dha and na) Folk melodies are used Singing is in Punjabi

Western popular styles Styles such as rap, reggae, hip hop, drum n bass have all influenced Bhangra. Bhangra tracks can sound very different to each other as a result of what style is has been fused with. Technology plays a big part in Bhangra: Sampling of other tracks Remixing old tracks Effects such as echo Sequencing and looping

Technology is also found in the instruments used: Drum machine Bass guitar Synthesisers

Minimalism Developed as a ‘Classical’ style of music in the 1960s Influences from Africa, India and Indonesia Composers such as Steve Reich Cells are staring points for ideas. Repetitions or patterns allow cells and patterns to develop and change over time. Hypnotic quality Technology can be used to loop cells or build them up using multi tracking.

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