Melody type

Melody type or type-melody^[2] is a set of melodic formulas, figures, and patterns.

"Melodic figure" redirects here. For other uses, see Melodic pattern.

in Ancient Greek music

Nomos

in Arabian and Turkish music

Usul

in Indian music

Tala

in Javanese music

Bentuk

In most cases, these melody types are associated with extra-musical implications, particularly emotions (see Indian rasa, for instance). They are also often associated with certain times. For example, most ragas are associated with a certain time of day, or a wayang performance in Java implies a certain succession of pathets.

Many of these traditions have a corresponding rhythmic framework. These include:

Formula composition

Matrix

Modal frame

Powers, Harold S. (1980). "Mode". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by . London: Macmillan Publishers.

Stanley Sadie

Slobin, Mark (1982). Tenement Songs: The Popular Music of the Jewish Immigrants. Music in American Life. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 0-252-00893-6