Counter-melody
A second line running with the main melody, able to stand on its own
Related
A counter-melody is a second line running at the same time as the main melody and able to stand as a phrase of its own. It differs from ordinary accompaniment: accompaniment may be only chords or rhythm, while a counter-melody has its own contour and breathing, usually placed lower in volume or register.
Its relation to counterpoint is that a counter-melody is contrapuntal thinking in everyday homophonic music — one main tune plus a second line you could sing. The usual mistake is to treat it as decoration: decoration depends on the main melody, a counter-melody must stand by itself.
Read deeper → counterpoint
Sources
- 副旋律与主调织体的关系，参 The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, "Melody" 与 "Counterpoint"；本文为原创表述
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