Melodic Movement

Here are the terms we use in the melody unit concerning the movement of melody:

                    Melodic contour – the shape of a melody usually either smooth or jagged

Smooth meaning either stepwise movement or small skips.

                    Jagged meaning either large skips or big leaps in movement

Melodies can move three different ways:

Step – movement up and down by either whole or half steps

Leap – movement up and down by several whole or half steps

                         Repeated – playing the same note over again

12/11/2002