Melody Performance

Transposition is the process of moving a melody to a different key, either higher or lower, while preserving the melodic contour and intervals.

Curvilinear is not a common melodic contour. Ascending, descending, and angular are all common melodic contours.

Sequence is the repetition of a melody at the same pitch, but starting at a different point in the scale.

Tritone is not a common melodic interval. Major second, minor third, and perfect fourth are all common melodic intervals.

Variation is the repetition of a melody with variations in rhythm, harmony, or ornamentation.

Syncopated is not a common melodic rhythm. Stepwise, conjunct, and disjunct are all common melodic rhythms.

Cadence is the term used to describe the final note of a melody.

Appoggiatura is not a common melodic ornament. Trill, turn, and mordent are all common melodic ornaments.

Contour is the term used to describe the overall shape of a melody.

Bass is not a common melodic range. Soprano, alto, and tenor are all common melodic ranges.

Leading tone is the term used to describe the highest note in a melody.

Wide is not a common melodic tessitura. High, middle, and low are all common melodic tessituras.

Tonic is the term used to describe the lowest note in a melody.

Plagal is not a common melodic cadence. Perfect, imperfect, and authentic are all common melodic cadences.

Cadence is the term used to describe the relationship between the first and last notes of a melody.