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kuanei ia ka mea, ahakoa rite tō ātaahua ki tō te makipai, kāore koe e mōhio ki te waiata i tētahi rangi kotahi (Popi 1887:66). / Presently, he said that although your beauty is like a magpie’s, you do not know how to sing a single tune. Te Aka/Māori Dictionary
Some key words:
Some key words:
Phrase - where are the pauses/breaths in the melody
Phrase - where are the pauses/breaths in the melody
Word setting - how the lyrics are fitted into the melody
Word setting - how the lyrics are fitted into the melody
Word painting - how does the melody help express the meaning of the lyrics
Word painting - how does the melody help express the meaning of the lyrics
Range - how wide apart are the notes
Range - how wide apart are the notes
Shape/contour - rising? descending?
Shape/contour - rising? descending?
Steps or leaps?
Steps or leaps?
Diatonic or Chromatic?
Diatonic or Chromatic?
Microtones - see the explanation further down the page
Microtones - see the explanation further down the page
Ornamented - the music is embellished
Ornamented - the music is embellished
<- Watch this tutorial for an explanation of these terms
<- Watch this tutorial for an explanation of these terms
Some things to write about when you are describing the main melody:
Some things to write about when you are describing the main melody:
1. Describe the shape
1. Describe the shape
Other words you could use:
Other words you could use:
Ascending (moving up) - Descending (moving down) - Repeating - static - short phrases - long phrases - High - Low - Smooth/stepping - Jagged - Describe the melody shape
2. Who or what performs it
2. Who or what performs it
e.g: Always with you, Always with me - the main tune is on the guitar starting 25 seconds into this example.
e.g: Always with you, Always with me - the main tune is on the guitar starting 25 seconds into this example.
Other words you could use:
Other words you could use:
Solo - Ensemble/Group - Male - Female - High - Medium - Low
3. Is there more than one melody?
3. Is there more than one melody?
e.g start this example at 50 seconds to hear an example of 2 melody lines at the same time - I Saw You Blink
e.g start this example at 50 seconds to hear an example of 2 melody lines at the same time - I Saw You Blink
Other words you could use:
Other words you could use:
One Melody - More than one melody - Melody and Counter melody
Rangi pāhekoheko : Ko te rangi pāhekoheko: E rua ngā rangi rerekē o tētahi puoro e whakatangihia ngātahitia ana, engari he wehe kē tētahi i tētahi. Ahakoa he wehe kē, he rōreka tonu ki te taringa (RTP 2015:93). / Counterpoint: Two melodies in a piece of music that are played simultaneously, but which are independent of each other. Even though they are independent they sound harmonious (RTP 2015:93). Te Aka/Māori Dictionary
Rangi pāhekoheko : Ko te rangi pāhekoheko: E rua ngā rangi rerekē o tētahi puoro e whakatangihia ngātahitia ana, engari he wehe kē tētahi i tētahi. Ahakoa he wehe kē, he rōreka tonu ki te taringa (RTP 2015:93). / Counterpoint: Two melodies in a piece of music that are played simultaneously, but which are independent of each other. Even though they are independent they sound harmonious (RTP 2015:93). Te Aka/Māori Dictionary
4. What is the range of notes used?
4. What is the range of notes used?
e.g use a piano to figure out the lowest note that you hear, and the highest note that you hear. Include this information in your response.
e.g use a piano to figure out the lowest note that you hear, and the highest note that you hear. Include this information in your response.
Other words you could use:
Other words you could use:
Wide range - Small range
5. What is the melody used for?
5. What is the melody used for?
To highlight an instrument? To create contrast? For question and answer? Improvisation?
To highlight an instrument? To create contrast? For question and answer? Improvisation?
Example answer for Six60 Only to Be
Example answer for Six60 Only to Be
The main tune is mainly moving in step movements. It is smooth and memorable. The “Yeah Yea” line of the chorus is the most catchy part of the melody line. The main tune has quite a small range of notes. The highest note is in the bridge and there are also high notes in the chorus. The beginning of the verse has the lowest notes.
The main tune is mainly moving in step movements. It is smooth and memorable. The “Yeah Yea” line of the chorus is the most catchy part of the melody line. The main tune has quite a small range of notes. The highest note is in the bridge and there are also high notes in the chorus. The beginning of the verse has the lowest notes.
The melody is sung by a male singer.
The melody is sung by a male singer.
Other things you could discuss:
Other things you could discuss:
What is the character of the melody? Aggressive? Placid? Mournful? Jubilant? What makes you think so? Use an example from the music.
What is the character of the melody? Aggressive? Placid? Mournful? Jubilant? What makes you think so? Use an example from the music.
Does the melody ever exist without accompaniment (is it monophonic)?
Does the melody ever exist without accompaniment (is it monophonic)?
Could the accompaniment parts be referred to as melodies?
Could the accompaniment parts be referred to as melodies?
What is the effect of any of the things you are discussed?
What is the effect of any of the things you are discussed?
Melody.pdfMICROTONES
MICROTONES
On the left is an explanation of microtones.
On the left is an explanation of microtones.
Many taonga puoro use microtones. Listen to the koauau in the clip below - notice the microtones.
Many taonga puoro use microtones. Listen to the koauau in the clip below - notice the microtones.
Here is a great example of how to describe the melody of a popular song.
Here is a great example of how to describe the melody of a popular song.
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