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contrary motion

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  • Mavis Osinski
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Meaning of Contrary Motion in Music

Contrary motion in music refers to the movement of two melodic lines or voices in opposite directions to each other. This can occur either by step or by leap. It is one of the four types of contrapuntal motion, along with parallel motion, similar motion, and oblique motion .

Contrary motion is an important concept in traditional four-part harmony, as it helps maintain the independence of the melodic lines. By moving in opposite directions, the lines create a sense of tension and counterpoint, enhancing the overall musical texture.

Contrary motion can be used to create harmonic and melodic interest in compositions. It allows for the exploration of different intervals and intervals that are not possible with parallel or similar motion. The use of contrary motion can add complexity and depth to musical compositions.

Example of Contrary Motion

To illustrate contrary motion, let's consider a simple example. Suppose we have two melodic lines, Line A and Line B. In contrary motion, Line A would move upward while Line B moves downward, or vice versa. The intervals between the notes in each line may vary, but the overall direction of the lines is opposite.

Here's a visual representation of contrary motion:

```Line A: C - D - E - FLine B: G - F - E - D```

In this example, Line A ascends from C to F, while Line B descends from G to D. The two lines move in opposite directions, creating a sense of contrast and tension.

Importance of Contrary Motion

Contrary motion is important in music because it helps create harmonic independence and prevents forbidden parallels, such as parallel perfect fifths and octaves. By moving in opposite directions, the melodic lines maintain their individuality and contribute to the overall complexity and richness of the composition.

Contrary motion is often used in counterpoint, where multiple melodic lines interact with each other. It allows composers to create intricate and engaging musical textures by combining different melodic ideas and directions.

Conclusion

Contrary motion in music refers to the movement of two melodic lines in opposite directions to each other. It is an important concept in traditional harmony and counterpoint, as it helps maintain the independence of the melodic lines and adds complexity to musical compositions. Contrary motion creates a sense of tension and contrast, contributing to the overall musical texture.

Simultaneous musical motion of at least two voices, one of which is in opposition to the other, with one voice rising in pitch while another voice falls in pitch.

Popular questions related to contrary motion

Melodic motion is the quality of movement of a melody, including nearness or farness of successive pitches or notes in a melody. This may be described as conjunct or disjunct, stepwise, skipwise or no movement, respectively. See also contrapuntal motion.

With contrary motion scales, you start on the SAME note. Both thumbs begin on middle C. Now you play the C major scale going UP with your right hand while playing it going DOWN with your left. It will feel weird at first - but it's actually pretty easy to play it in C because the fingering is identical for both hands.

Contrary motion is motion in opposite directions. That is, when one of the lines moves up, the other line moves down (that is, in inversion). If the voices always move by the same intervals (in opposite directions) they are said to be in strict contrary motion.

A Guide To The Types Of Motion In Music

  • Parallel Motion.
  • Similar Motion.
  • Contrary Motion.
  • Oblique Motion.

Contrary motion basically is the reverse. Your hands will start on the tonic note of the scale, then move away from each other until you reach the tonic note again, then you'll come back together. Your hands are moving contrary, or opposite, to each other - like a mirror image.

Similar motion occurs when two voices move in the same direction but at different interval. Contrary motion occurs when two voices move in different directions.

Contrary motion basically is the reverse. Your hands will start on the tonic note of the scale, then move away from each other until you reach the tonic note again, then you'll come back together. Your hands are moving contrary, or opposite, to each other - like a mirror image.

Contrary motion is simply the practice of having one melody ascending while another is descending. The most common use of this trick is over the bass line and lead melody line, the bass line using octaves and harmonies of the lead line.

C major scale played in contrary motion (where the hands move in different direction) and similar motion (both hands ascending then descending).

In the world of mechanics, there are four basic types of motion. These four are rotary, oscillating, linear and reciprocating. Each one moves in a slightly different way and each type of achieved using different mechanical means that help us understand linear motion and motion control.

And not working against each other i say the very first kinds of scales that you should learn are the contrary motion scales contrary means opposite this means our hands will go apart from one.

The most common use of contrary motion in electronic music is to create a contrast between a bassline and lead melody, but the same principle can be applied to any two melodic elements.

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