THE MELODIC

DIRECTIONS AND
INTERVALS
One of the most important element of
MUSIC is MELODY. It is a systematic
arrangement of tone that creates an
artful idea. MELODY has two
aspects: RHYTHM and PITCH
(range).
The different directions and intervals of melody
ASCENDING

4
4

DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO
DESCENDING

4
4

DO TI LA SO FA MI RE DO
Ascending and Descending in STEPS

A step is the distance from one pitch to the

next pitch in a diatonic scale.
Ascending and Descending in SKIPS

An interval of a skip is equal to the distance

of two steps. In other words, the pitches
“skip” over the interval of a step.
Ascending and Descending in LEAPS

Any interval larger than a skip is called

a leap. Therefore, the leap can be pretty
wide.
STATIONARY / REPETITION

Stationary or repetitive movement of notes

happen when they stay at one line or space of
the staff and shows no movement.
4
4
* Identify the melodic direction of the notes in measures 2, 11,
16, 4, 12, 8 and 13
Another important aspect of melody is the RANGE of notes in a
music. In identifying the range of music, simply locate the lowest and
the highest notes in a song. If its distance is short, it is of NARROW
RANGE.
On the other hand, if the distance between the lowest and the highest
note is wide, it is of WIDE RANGE.