2.4 Melody

• Melody as pitch plus rhythm; difference from monotone rhythm in 2.2
• C major scale on the treble staff (d r m f s l t d')
• Qualities of a good melody: singable, leaps of a 3rd, contour, symmetry, starts on d m or s, ends on d
• Singable lines and leaps of a 3rd
• Melodic shape / contour
• Symmetry in a four-bar melody
• Starting on d, m or s and ending on d
• Composing and notating a four-bar melody in C major and 2/4 on the treble staff
• Sight-reading and performing 4-bar melodies in C major with voice or descant recorder
• Feedback on melodies created by self and others

• outline the qualities of a good melody
• compose a four-bar melody in C major
• perform created pieces of music in C major
• enjoy creating melodies in C major

“What attributes contribute to a good melody?”

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1. What a melody is
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Melody is a singable line of pitches on a rhythm. Sub-strand 2.2 was duration only; 2.4 adds how high in C major and 2/4.
2. C major on the staff
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Sing and point the C major scale on the treble staff: d r m f s l t d from middle C, no sharps or flats.
3. Qualities of a good melody
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Outline six attributes: singable, leaps of a 3rd, contour, symmetry, starts on d m or s, ends on d.
4. Leaps of a 3rd
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Keep the line singable with steps and leaps of a 3rd. Count d-r-m as a 3rd. Avoid wide jumps.
5. Melodic contour
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Contour is the identifiable shape of the line: rise, fall, arch or wave. Draw it in the air, then sing it.
6. Symmetry in four bars
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Symmetry is balance: two bars that open and two that answer, often repeating a cell then closing on d.
7. Start on d, m or s; end on d
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Legal openings are C, E or G. Every Grade 7 melody ends on C (doh). That finishes the sentence in C major.
8. Compose four bars in C major
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Orally compose then notate a four-bar melody in C major and 2/4 on the treble staff, using the six qualities.
9. Sight-read and perform
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Sight-read 4-bar C major 2/4 melodies at first look, then perform created pieces with voice or descant recorder.
10. Appreciate the melody
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Give feedback that names a quality. Enjoy creating and hearing four-bar C major tunes from self and others.