melodic sequence & rhythmic sequences.

[agganitk]

My purpose of this posting is to initiate discussion about sequence mentioned in Mark levine jazz theory book. What are melodic sequence & rhythmic sequences.?
I have attached a scanned copy of page from book.

 

[kevgermany]

Possibly the most famous melodic sequence is the opening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Can't think of an obvious rhythmic one off te top of my head.

 

[Ivan]

Can't think of an obvious rhythmic one off te top of my head.

Sticking with Mr B: Moonlight Sonata repeats the same rhythm but many of the sequences are not simply a pitch change... does that count?

 

[BigMartin]

Possibly the most famous melodic sequence is the opening to Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

Another would be "Satin Doll". Both the 'A' section and the bridge.

Can't think of an obvious rhythmic one off te top of my head.

I'm not familiar with the term "rhythmic sequence". Should I be?

 

[aldevis]

Another would be "Satin Doll". Both the 'A' section and the bridge.

The worst offender being the bridge of "Garota De Ipanema"

I'm not familiar with the term "rhythmic sequence". Should I be?

Not really, unless you teach in that style.
I use them quite often, but no example is coming to mind. Maybe Stella by Starlight. Try to sing it on just one note, and you will see the similarity.

(Note to self: compose "One Note stella")

 

[Chris]

I think the head to 'Infant Eyes' Wayne Shorter, would be an example of both rhythmic/melodic sequence's.


Chris..

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

Rock around the clock opening, rhythmic? Although only the note changes it is repeated rythmically, "one two three o'clock" etc.There then follows a melodic & rythmic pattern "put your glad rags on" etc.

 

[spike]

I'll nip over to me library, get me book and have a look. What page is it on? Interesting topic.
Spike to brain: please switch to active modus. Ey Ey Captn.

Okay found it: Page 114, there are four pages of examples, where lies the problem?

 

[jbtsax]

One Note Samba is a good example of a repeated rhythmic sequence. In classical music, a "melodic sequence" is also called a "motif". It is often a short melodic "idea", not long enough to be a melody or phrase in itself, but can used as a "building block" to create a melody.

If one listens to Paul Desmond's solos he often introduces a "motif" that he repeats two more times taking it higher or lower and sometimes altering the intervals to fit the changes. He also adds additional notes to a motif to create a phrase or a melody.

 

[old git]

One Note Samba is a good example of a repeated rhythmic sequence. In classical music, a "melodic sequence" is also called a "motif". It is often a short melodic "idea", not long enough to be a melody or phrase in itself, but can used as a "building block" to create a melody.

If one listens to Paul Desmond's solos he often introduces a "motif" that he repeats two more times taking it higher or lower and sometimes altering the intervals to fit the changes. He also adds additional notes to a motif to create a phrase or a melody.

ere guv,
don u meen "leitmotif"?
du 8 theze geezas wot duzz shawtkuttss.

 

[spike]

Check out "The Music of Bob Mintzer" by Miles Osland with accompanying CD - Track two on the CD - Miles and Bob talk about motivic development using the title track from Bob's "Spectrum" album as an example. After some preamble between the two of them Miles asks Bob to illustrate his thoughts on the subject. At that Bob picks up his horn and plays the opening "riff, lick, sequence, motif" of his solo and moves it around, in a similar fashion to the examples in the Mark Levine book. If you aint got the Miles Osland book - get it - If not - Check out Bob's solo from the title track of the Spectrum album. You should be able to pick out loads of instances where Bob takes a "riff, lick, sequence, motif" and moves it around, both rhythmically and melodically in the 152 bars of his solo.

At the risk of sounding precocious if not super-silly-ous - Let's face it - it's everywhere - I guess you just have to be aware of it - You'll hear it in classical, pop, rock, heavy metal, blues, etc. music as well as lyrics, you'll read it in literature, poetry, advertising, you'll see it in architecture, nature, trees, seasons, the planets, and even on the menu of the restaurant at the end of the universe.

So the next time you take your prospective In-Laws or Aunty Nelly shopping for curtains in the local Mall check out the Muzak. You'll be able to call their attention to a recurring melodic or rhythmic sequence eminating from the sound system. They're sure to be impressed and may even be inclined to change their last will and testament.

I could go on but the flush mechanism in my water closet sounds like it's gone into a loop . . . deary me 😱 If it's not one thing it's another, oh well. Water to do!