Harmony, Rhythm, and melody are the three hallmarks of music. All music we know, depending on period, setting, preference, or performance will tend to emphasize one or the other, or all. For instance, Jazz may emphasize more harmony or melody and is therefore intellectual/ spiritual, while electronic dance music tends to emphasize rhythm and is therefore most physical. First let’s do a quick overview on the promised statement.
Melody: What Is Going On
Melody is the most immediately recognizable element in music, often referred to as the “soul” of a song. It is the sequence of notes that unfold over time, forming the tune or theme of a piece. The melody is typically what people consciously or unconsciously hum or sing along to.
Rhythm: How Is It Going On
Rhythm is the driving force behind music, providing the structure and timing that holds a piece together. It is the pattern of beats and silences that occurs within a piece of music, creating a sense of movement. Be not mistaken though, for every instrument, including the voice, contributes to the rhythmic landscape of a piece. Therefore, all pitches have a rhythmic convolution behind them to an extent. Rhythm can be stimulating as to have a conversation, different voices speak to each other, from within its elements. Rhythm is about the relationship between events in time and how they interlock or contrast. Rhythmic Freedom is the in and out of the main pulse, which creates a flexible, elastic feel. Rhythm should serve the emotional and structural needs of a piece rather than existing for complexity’s sake.
Harmony: How It All Makes You Feel
Harmony adds depth and richness to music by combining multiple notes played simultaneously. While the melody moves horizontally (over time), harmony works vertically, creating chords that complement or contrast with the melody. Harmonies enhance the emotional tone of a piece, supporting or transforming the feeling the melody conveys.
harmonic context can dramatically alter a melody's meaning, by manipulating rhythm, depth can be paved for harmonic progressions. Melody may connect the harmonic and rhythmic worlds, allowing melodic lines to flow between complex harmonic and rhythmic structures. Melody can be seen as the bridge between rhythm and harmony. How the three elements blend interact and make points to each other is at the composers relinquish. Harmony can become the backdrop or front drop of a melody. The right amount or proportion of each to be served.
The interaction between what and its feeling. The how and what its doing, and what is it going to do. Bridge real with unreal. Harmony may very well lead the emotion on any track despite the melody (chords vs notes? Chord win>) I like to dig Cosmic disco and Balearic house that tend to have better chances of interesting interactions. Power songs. A well-crafted melody could lead the harmony and suggest where to go. Next. In an anticipated rush. Bach’s fugue in g minor or Keith Jarrett’s in Front could stand as great interesting harmonic & melodic coupling records. Both tunes exuberate the possibilities of fast-moving evolving harmony via counterpoint progressions
Reharmonization is an advanced technique used to gray and play with the already existing palette of color and reinterpret it with various modalities. Reharmonization is a very playful way to advance or shapeshift for more stability or less. Change creates movement. Emotional movement that may contribute to a transformation of an existing melody. Melody and harmony can have a very vast interaction of modality creating an unreal atmosphere or travel in space phenomena. Caution must be used with intent. A melody could become an extraction from the harmony or an extension by ways of placement and stretching legato/staccato. New emotional words can be unlocked with harmony. Rhythm, how things are can be polarized and given wight charge of expression by means of Polyrhythms, Time signatures, groove/swing, or rhythmic displacement. Rhythmic unpredictability can be used to provoke harmony and melody. Unpredictability of rhythm can disjoint a track or create a phenomenon. Mirroring technique could also play a vital role in creating harmony and melody coupling. Most electronic music is rhythm focused.
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