NSMA · Hall of Fame · Music theory
Hall of Fame music theory
Study melodic construction and cadences as tools of musical direction and closure.
Melody characteristics
- Contour — the shape created by rising, falling, or repeated pitches
- Range — distance between the lowest and highest pitches
- Motif — a short recognizable musical idea
- Phrase — a complete musical thought ending with a cadence
- Sequence — repetition of an idea at a different pitch level
Cadences
- Authentic cadence: V–I, creating strong closure
- Half cadence: ends on V, sounding unfinished
- Plagal cadence: IV–I
- Deceptive cadence: V moves somewhere other than I, commonly vi