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M-I: Horizontal View

Kernel Function

1. Kernel Function Now that you've learned tone tendencies and resolution patterns, you're starting to see the mechanism of melody making. The seven tones ------ have distinct characters within a key, unique to each other. Through the chord part you'll learn that chords also have "roles" in a key. So do melodies; is the boss of the key, is a…
yuta
May 12, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Convergence or Divergence of Melody

In the you learned that a key or a scale has a "center", a note that can evoke the sense of home, rest or landing, which is called a tonal center. This time we further discuss how a melody moves around the center. 1. Distance from Center In constructing the story of a melody line, reaching the tonal center is…
yuta
November 1, 2023
M-I: Horizontal View

Tone Tendencies in Major Key

In the article "" you learned that and has strong tone tendencies. In this article we'll see all the seven notes. 1. Stable/Unstable Notes First, The seven notes ------ are devided into two categories, namely, and , based on its stability. (more…)
yuta
April 27, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Rhythmic Placement of Melodies

So far we've focused mainly on the vertical aspect of melodies—pitches. This time we'll discuss the horizontal placement of melodies. 1. Who Leads the Way? The timeline of a song is divided by the unit "bar" and "beat"If you don't know these terms, please read the article "" in Rhythm Chapter.I.. And There are 3 forms of the timings where…
yuta
October 31, 2023
M-I: Horizontal View

Exploring Scales

In you learned pentatonic scales. This time I'm gonna introduce some more scale variations. 1. Omit-4 Scales The pentatonic scales rule out delicate expressions by removing tendency tones, resulting in dry, cheerful and muscular taste. But with tones limited, the possible patterns of phrases are also limited; It can easily fall into cookie-cutter melodies. Considering that, a customized version of…
yuta
June 12, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Pentatonic Scales

In the you saw that the step between - and - is half-step away to each other so their connections are smoother than the others. And we saw some examples using half-step motion. 1. Major Pentatonic Scale Now, what if you eliminate the two tendency tones? There's a scale with no half-step (no and ): a . The scale has…
yuta
May 16, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Tendency Tones

1. Whole-step or Half-step In the article , We categorized melodic motion into two : step or skip. And you listened to many samples of "skip" motion like 5th, 6th, 7th or octave leaps. But when you have a closer look at "step" motion, it also has further variations—Whole-step or half-step progression. The steps between - and - are semitone,…
yuta
June 16, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Tonic Solfa

We are starting to have a closer look at melodies. We discussed 2 tones connection in and we'll soon talk about the characteristics of a single tone. But we have a serious problem left...We don't have any names for each tone yet. 1. Relative Names Names? You're kidding? We have ABC. Yes, but No at the same time because ABC…
yuta
April 24, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Step or Skip Motion

In we analyzed music from macro perspective, the block structure of phrases. This time, in contrast, we'll see melody from a very micro level view like looking through a micro scope—analyzing two notes connections. 1. Melodic Progression This time we focus on the pitch changes on note connections. Ascend or Descend There are only 3 types of melodic progressions, namely,…
yuta
June 4, 2024
M-I: Horizontal View

Motif and Variations

1. Melody and Memory "What is a good melody?" is a simple question yet difficult to answer. It may vary depending on genres as well. But when thinking in reverse—what is a bad melody?—There's one criterion hitting on me: An unmemorable melody. As a matter of fact, there'd hardly be anyone making helter-skelter melodies even if they don't know music…
yuta
June 12, 2024