42.4k views
3 votes
Melody (main terms to describe how it works, different ways melody can be designed to communicate a

specific emotion/paint a picture/emphasize a word in a sung lyric)

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Melody is a key element in music that helps to communicate specific emotions, paint a picture, or emphasize a word in a sung lyric. It can be designed in different ways to achieve these effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

Melody is a key element in music that helps to communicate specific emotions, paint a picture, or emphasize a word in a sung lyric. It can be designed in different ways to achieve these effects.

One way melody can communicate emotion is through the choice of musical intervals and contours. For example, a ascending melody with major intervals may evoke a happier or triumphant emotion, while a descending melody with minor intervals may convey sadness or melancholy.

Another way melody can paint a picture is through the use of musical motifs or musical themes that represent specific characters, places, or events. By repeating these musical ideas, composers can create a sonic image or atmosphere associated with the subject of the music.

To emphasize a word in a sung lyric, melody can employ techniques such as melisma, where a single syllable is sung on multiple notes, or through dynamics and phrasing choices that highlight the desired word. These techniques draw attention to the importance of the word and enhance its meaning within the song.

User Jamcoupe
by
8.7k points