melodic passages

Songlike instrumental sections

Melodic passages are sections of music characterized by a sequence of notes forming a recognizable tune or melody.

The term appears in discussions of composition and performance, distinguishing tuneful stretches from harmonic, rhythmic, or purely percussive elements: The symphony's melodic passages gave way to dramatic crescendos.

In figurative use, melodic passages can describe any flowing, musical quality in speech or writing.

phraseWords forming partial meaning
lyricalMusically expressive
motifRecurring thematic element
harmonyAgreement or musical blend
rubatoElastic musical timing

flow · sonata · cadence · tune · flowing lines · crescendo · sweet spot · arpeggio · raga · articulation · madrigal · legato · cantabile · vibrato · notes · evocative · sequence · call and response

Opposites

musical texture and content

melodic passagescacophony

Harsh, clashing sounds

silence · rests

rhythmic vs. melodic emphasis

melodic passagesdrum fills

Transitional percussion passages

breakbeats

musical texture and emphasis

melodic passagesdrum solos

Unaccompanied rhythmic performances

rhythm sections · vamps

Family

melodic, melody, melodies, melodious, melodiously, melodiousness, melodist, passage, passages

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Rated G