1. Chapter 3
Scales and Melody

2. Key Terms Chromatic scale Pitch Flat Scale Sharp Interval Half step
Whole step
Pitch
Scale
Interval
Octave
Diatonic scale

3. Aspects of Pitch Definite or indefinite High or low
Scale: a pool of definite pitches
Interval: the distance between any two notes

4. Octave “Eight span” Higher note seems to duplicate lower note
Smooth blend of sound comes from overtone series

5. Step Usually the distance between adjacent notes of a scale
Suggests a ladder of discrete pitches
Scale steps: specific notes of a scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do)

6. Half Step (Semitone) The smallest interval
The distance between two adjacent notes of the chromatic scale
The distance between two adjacent notes on the keyboard

7. Whole Step The most common interval in diatonic scales
Equals two consecutive half steps

8. Scales Fixed collections of pitches used to construct music
Diatonic scales
Chromatic scales
Other scales (modern and world music)

9. Diatonic Scales Contain five whole steps and two half steps
Contain seven pitches
The eighth note of the scale (octave) repeats the starting pitch
Examples: major scales, minor scales, church modes

10. Diatonic Scale

11. Chromatic Scale Contains 12 pitches Consists entirely of half steps
Requires sharps or flats

12. Chromatic Scale

13. Sharps and Flats Flat lowers a note by a half step
Sharp raises a note by a half step

14. Diatonic vs. Chromatic

15. Listening
Chromatic scale
Diatonic scale
Non-Western scales

16. Key Terms Melody Tune Motive Theme Phrase Parallelism Contrast
Sequence
Climax
Cadence

17. Melody The primary bearer of musical meaning
Most likely to move the listener
An organized series of pitches
Combines pitch and rhythm

18. Tune A special kind of melody Simple, easy to sing Often catchy
Folk songs, dances, pop songs, patriotic songs, Christmas carols

19. Characteristics of Tunes
Division into phrases
Balance between phrases
Parallelism and contrast
Climax and cadence

20. Division into Phrases Often correspond to poetic lines
Often two, four, or eight measures long
Tend to be natural breathing points

21. Balance between Phrases
Creates an overall sense of proportion
Many phrases of the same length
Longer and shorter phrases
Parallel and contrasting phrases

22. Parallelism Exact repetition of a phrase
Partial repetition of a phrase
Repetition of rhythm
Repetition of a pattern at higher or lower pitch (sequence)

23. Contrast Provides variety and interest Higher or lower phrases
Shorter or longer phrases
Different rhythms or melodic shapes

24. Form of Tunes Clear beginning Building up in the middle
Distinct high point (climax)
Winding down to the end

25. Cadence Weak cadences Strong cadences
Points of relaxation to breathe or pause
Create need to go on
End phrases
Strong cadences
Full stops
Create sense of finality
End sections or pieces

26. Motive Distinctive fragment of a melody or distinctive rhythm
Used to construct tunes, melodies, themes
Can be repeated, transposed, reversed, inverted, or fragmented

27. Theme The basic subject matter for a piece of music Usually a melody
Can be a phrase, motive, tune, tone color

28. Listening Exercises Phrases and cadences Repetition and contrast
Motives and sequence
Balance, form, and climax
Tune, motive, and theme
Melodic character and emotional quality