counter-melody
Accompanying melodic line
A counter-melody is a secondary melodic line that plays alongside the main melody, complementary but distinct.
It has its own shape and interest while supporting rather than competing with the primary tune: The violin carried the melody while the cello wove a counter-melody beneath it.
Also spelled countermelody.
Simultaneous independent melodies
- obbligatoRequired accompanying musical part
- descantOrnamental upper melody
- figurationGiving form to concepts
- ornamentationDecorative additions to something
harmonization · imitation · inversion · augmentation · diminution · retrograde · sequence · improvisation
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- fugueContrapuntal musical form
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- homophonySame-sounding different words
- motetSacred polyphonic choral work
madrigal · invention · contrapuntal · layering · voicing · accompaniment · background · foreground
Lower female voice
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- bassDeep pitch or fish
- baritoneMid-range male voice
inner voice · echo · response · duet · dialogue
Active resistance or dissent
- tensionStretched or strained state
- independenceFreedom from external control
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
interplay · complementary · answering · offsetting · balancing · juxtaposition
counterpoint
Simultaneous independent melodies
- obbligatoRequired accompanying musical part
- descantOrnamental upper melody
- figurationGiving form to concepts
ornamentation · harmonization · imitation · inversion · augmentation · diminution · retrograde · sequence · improvisation · embellishment
polyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
- fugueContrapuntal musical form
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- homophonySame-sounding different words
motet · madrigal · invention · contrapuntal · layering · voicing · accompaniment · background · foreground · weaving
alto
Lower female voice
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- tensionStretched or strained state
- independenceFreedom from external control
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
distinction · interplay · complementary · answering · offsetting · balancing · juxtaposition
counter, melody, melodic, melodious, melodiously, melodiousness, melodies, counters, countered