Reading the direction of a melodic line is the key to understanding how voices move.
Ascending and descending direction
Reading from left to right, look at where the second note is compared with the first:
- Ascending: the second note is higher on the staff.
- Descending: the second note is lower on the staff.
Practice: up or down?
Conjunct and disjunct intervals →
To train your ear as well, use the reference tones of the online tuner and compare the sound of each interval with a pure tone. The online metronome helps you build sight-reading speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ascending melodic interval?
An ascending melodic interval is one where the second note is higher than the first: on the staff, the line goes up. Examples: C→G (an ascending 5th) and E→A (an ascending 4th). Most melodies combine ascending and descending motion.
What is a descending melodic interval?
A descending melodic interval is one where the second note is lower than the first: on the staff, the line goes down. To find its number and quality, take the lower and the higher note and analyze the interval from the lower one up, whichever sounds first.
How does direction affect the analysis of an interval?
Direction does not change the number or the quality of an interval. C up to G is a perfect 5th, and G down to C is also a perfect 5th: both contain the same two notes. Be careful with the reverse pair: G up to the next C is a perfect 4th, and C down to the G below it is a perfect 4th too. In melodies, direction shows the contour and the expressive tension.
What are stepwise (conjunct) and leaping (disjunct) motion?
Conjunct motion uses melodic intervals of a 2nd: the notes move step by step, to the neighboring position. Disjunct motion uses intervals of a 3rd or larger (leaps). Vocal melodies favor conjunct motion; large leaps (6ths, 7ths, octaves) add drama.
What are oblique and contrary motion in harmony?
Contrary motion is when two voices move in opposite directions: one goes up while the other goes down. Oblique motion is when one voice stays on the same note while the other moves. Parallel motion is when both voices move in the same direction by the same interval.