What types of motion are there in music?

What types of motion are there in music?

A Guide To The Types Of Motion In Music

• Parallel Motion.
• Similar Motion.
• Contrary Motion.
• Oblique Motion.

What is harmonic motion in music theory?

It is the interplay between chords that creates a sense of movement that can be more or less dynamic and/or static. Probably, the most obvious way to achieve harmonic movement is through harmonic rhythm, that is, how fast you change chords – i.e. if it’s one chord per measure or one chord per beat.

What are the two types of motions utilized in a melody?

Conjunct and Disjunct Melodic Motion 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 second) and disjunct motion, which proceeds by leap (i.e., by intervals larger than a second).

What is parallel motion?

Definition of parallel motion 1 : a jointed link or other mechanism for reproducing motion parallel to itself also : a straight-line motion. 2 : melodic progression of two voices moving in same direction by the same intervals.

What is stepwise motion in music?

Melodic motion in which the interval between any two consecutive pitches is no more than a step, or, less strictly, where skips are rare, is called stepwise or conjunct melodic motion, as opposed to skipwise or disjunct melodic motion, characterized by frequent skips.

Is parallel motion bad?

Repeating the same octave or fifth in a row, however, is not bad. In this case there is no parallel or contrary “motion” at all. Parallel 3rds, 6ths, 4ths, and even tritones are all OK. Unisons (two parts sharing the same note) count as a kind of octave.

What is a tonic function?

Tonic function (abbreviated “ton.”): The I chord has tonic function, which is a state of stability and rest. Tonic chords do not demand progression to other chords. Dominant function (abbreviated “dom.”): The V and vii (chords containing the leading tone and supertonic ) tend to progress to tonic ( I ).

What is direct motion in music?

In similar motion, also called direct motion, two voices move in the same direction, but by different intervals. For example, the following two voices both move down, but the upper voice moves by step while the lower voice moves by leap.

What is contrary motion in piano?

The concept of contrary motion scales is very simple. Instead of playing a scale with both hands going up or down, you play the scale with both hands going up AND down. With contrary motion scales, you start on the SAME note. Both thumbs begin on middle C.

Is contrary motion a counterpoint?

Contrary motion is the movement of voices in opposite direction. The contrary motion is one of the most important motions in contrapuntal music.

What is a skip in piano?

A skip has one note in between. When two notes have a note in the middle of them, we call that a skip. A skip is one more than a step away from the next note. If your thumb is on C and your third finger is on an E, that distance is what we call a skip.

What is melodic direction in music?

Melodic motion is the quality of movement of a melody, including nearness or farness of successive pitches or notes in a melody. Ascending: Upwards melodic movement. Descending: Downwards melodic movement (prevalent in the New World and Australian music)

What is the difference between similar motion and oblique motion?

This will always be the case with similar or direct motion. In contrary motion, two voices move in opposite directions—one up, the other down. In oblique motion, one voice is stationary, while the other voice moves (in either direction). The stationary tone may or may not be rearticulated.

What is strict contrary motion and oblique motion?

The other type of contrary motion is called strict contrary motion which is where the melodies move by the same intervals, just in opposite directions. Oblique motion is the last of the four kinds of motion.

What is contrary motion in music?

Contrary motion is the movement of voices in opposite direction. The contrary motion is one of the most important motions in contrapuntal music. Studies have shown that the strength and independence of voices increase when they are in contrary motion with each other. When one voice ascends, the other descends and vice-versa.

What is static motion in music?

In static motion, both voices are stationary. “Check Out The Static Motion Between These Two Voices…” Guess you saw how stationary both voices were throughout the excerpt. Playing and repeating exactly the same voices on the keyboard over and over creates a static motion. Alright! We’re done with that, let’s look at other motions.