Counter-melody
Encyclopedia
In music
, counter-melody (often countermelody) is a sequence of note
s, perceived as a melody, written to be played simultaneously with a more prominent lead melody
. Typically a counter-melody performs a subordinate role, and is heard in a texture consisting of a melody plus accompaniment. In marches, the counter melody is often given to the trombones
or horns (American composer David Wallis Reeves
is credited with this innovation in 1876.) The more formal term countersubject
applies to a secondary or subordinate melodic idea in a fugue
. A countermelody differs from a barbershop quartet-style harmony part sung by a backup singer in that whereas the harmony part typically lacks its own independent musical line, a countermelody is a distinct melodic line.
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, counter-melody (often countermelody) is a sequence of note
Note
In music, the term note has two primary meanings:#A sign used in musical notation to represent the relative duration and pitch of a sound;#A pitched sound itself....
s, perceived as a melody, written to be played simultaneously with a more prominent lead melody
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
. Typically a counter-melody performs a subordinate role, and is heard in a texture consisting of a melody plus accompaniment. In marches, the counter melody is often given to the trombones
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
or horns (American composer David Wallis Reeves
David Wallis Reeves
David Wallis Reeves , also known as D. W. Reeves or Wally Reeves, was an American composer, cornetist, and bandleader. He developed the American march style, later made famous by the likes of John Philip Sousa, and his innovations include adding a countermelody to the American march form in 1876...
is credited with this innovation in 1876.) The more formal term countersubject
Countersubject
In music, a countersubject is a melodic or thematic idea which is played against a primary subject of a fugue, ricercar, invention, sinfonia, or other contrapuntal piece of music...
applies to a secondary or subordinate melodic idea in a fugue
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
. A countermelody differs from a barbershop quartet-style harmony part sung by a backup singer in that whereas the harmony part typically lacks its own independent musical line, a countermelody is a distinct melodic line.