Meaning & use
countermelody
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Meanings
nouncountablemusictechnical
A second tune played or sung at the same time as the main tune, often moving in a different direction.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a countermelody' or 'two countermelodies'.
Patterns
- a countermelody to something
- a countermelody in a piece of music
- play a countermelody
The cellos enter with a slow countermelody under the main theme.
She wrote a countermelody for the second verse that rises while the melody falls.
In this recording the trumpet's countermelody is easier to hear than the singing.
noununcountablemusictechnical
The technique or practice of adding such a second tune to a piece of music.
Grammar: Uncountable: talk about it in general as 'countermelody', with no article.
Patterns
- use countermelody
- a lesson in countermelody
His later works show a real gift for countermelody.
The teacher spent the whole lesson on countermelody, getting us to hum two lines at once.
Word forms
| plural | countermelodies |
|---|
Common combinations
- a countermelody to the main theme
- The horn plays a countermelody to the main theme.
- write a countermelody
- He wrote a countermelody for the final chorus.
- sing a countermelody
- The alto section sings a countermelody while the sopranos hold the tune.
- a simple countermelody
- Start with a simple countermelody before you try anything fancy.
- under the melody
- A quiet countermelody runs under the melody in the strings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- descant
- A descant is a high added part sung above the main tune, while a countermelody can sit above, below, or beside it.
- obbligato
- An obbligato is an important accompanying line that must not be left out; a countermelody is defined by being a second tune, not by being required.
- harmony line
- A harmony line usually moves in close parallel with the tune, but a countermelody is more independent and tune-like.
Word family
- melody noun
- the main tune of a piece.
- melodic adjective
- relating to tune; pleasant to hear as a tune.
- counterpoint noun
- the art of combining independent melodic lines.
Commonly confused: countermelody or counterpoint? countermelody or harmony?
countermelody vs counterpoint
Counterpoint is the whole technique of combining independent lines; a countermelody is one such line heard against the main tune.
countermelody vs harmony
Harmony is about notes sounding together as chords; a countermelody is a separate tune, not just supporting notes.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'countermelody' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A countermelody is a second tune heard against the main one, so option A fits. Option D describes the main tune of a chorus, not a second tune, and the other options misuse the word for rhythm or tuning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “countermelody”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.