I have a question for music theory asking me about what I notice about the rhythm in bars 3-6 and the note pattern is the same : crotchet, 4 quavers, crotchet, minim. But the actual name of the note varies (e.g the first note in bar 3 is an A but in bar 4 it is a G and every note is different like this). There is a particular term for this but I really can't remember it. Any suggestions?
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If the intervals are the same also just the starting note is different, that might be sequence.– Todd WilcoxCommented Jun 6, 2015 at 14:39
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Looks somewhat like a fugue subject.– user16935Commented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:22
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1 Answer
If the melodic contour is similar, either exactly transposed or adjusted to retain the shape but remain diatonic in the prevailing key, it's a sequence. If the contour of the melody changes, it's a rhythmic mode.
Edit: Now that I see the example, ms.3-6 form a (mainly) diatonic melodic sequence in D minor. I say "mainly", because you get the usual sharping of the leading tone in m.6.
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Another possibility if the rhythms are the same, but the pitches are different could be a rhythmic motif.– Dom ♦Commented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:00
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Or a rhythmic ostinato, which is why I'm asking for clarification. The differences between these and rhythmic mode are fairly small, though.– user16935Commented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:07
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@Patrx2 - ostinato is something that continues, rather than gets repeated once or twice.– TimCommented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:34
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1There are four repetitions in her example, @Tim. Ostinati can be used for small sections of, say, phrase length (as here). In this case, though, we do have a melodic sequence. (It really does look like a fugue subject.)– user16935Commented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:37
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@Tim Agreed with Patrx2 here an ostinato is any repeated rhythmic figure. Also agreed that we have a descending tonal (as opposed to real) melodic sequence. I have to say though, that the lack of dynamics is kind of bugging me. Commented Jun 6, 2015 at 17:42