Meaning of Phrase in Music
In music theory, a **phrase** is a unit of musical meter that has a complete musical sense of its own. It is built from figures, motifs, and cells, and combines to form melodies, periods, and larger sections. A phrase is a substantial musical thought that ends with a musical punctuation called a cadence. Phrases are created in music through an interaction of melody, harmony, and rhythm ).
The term "phrase" in music is analogous to the term "sentence" in linguistic syntax. However, it is important to note that the analogy between musical and linguistic phrases is often made, but the term itself is one of the most ambiguous in music. There is no consistency in applying these terms, especially with more complex melodies. Only with melodies of a very simple type, especially those of some dances, can the terms be used with some consistency ).
Characteristics of a Musical Phrase
- **Musical Thought**: A phrase is a substantial musical thought that has a complete musical sense of its own.- **Cadence**: A phrase ends with a musical punctuation called a cadence.- **Interaction of Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm**: Phrases are created through an interaction of melody, harmony, and rhythm.
Types of Phrases
- **Antecedent and Consequent Phrases**: Antecedent and consequent phrases are two phrases that are back-to-back. The antecedent phrase usually ends with a half cadence or an imperfect cadence, while the consequent phrase balances and is almost symmetrical to the antecedent phrase apart from the cadence point .- **Parallel Consequent Phrase**: If the answer to the antecedent phrase begins with the same rhythm and pitches, the response is called a parallel consequent.- **Balanced Phrases**: The antecedent and consequent phrases are an example of balanced phrases. The two phrases together make what is called a period in music.
Identifying Phrases in Music
Identifying phrases in music can be done using various analytic techniques. Here are some common techniques:
- **Resting Places**: Resting places in music, such as sustained pitches in the melody voice, rhythmic motifs, or changes in harmony, can indicate the position within a phrase.- **Melodic Direction**: Phrases often fall from a high point in the melody. When the melody leaps back up, it is likely the start of a new phrase.
Conclusion
In music, a phrase is a unit of musical meter that has a complete musical sense of its own. It is created through an interaction of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Phrases can be identified by their musical thought, cadence, and various analytic techniques. Antecedent and consequent phrases, as well as parallel consequent phrases, are common types of phrases in music.
A musical unit, often a component of a melody. The phrase may be regarded as a dependent division of music, such as a single line of poetry; it does not have a sense of completion in itself. Usually two or more phrases balance each other, as in a period.
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