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Melodyharmony

Melodyharmony is a term used in music theory and analysis to describe the integrated relationship between a melodic line and its harmonic accompaniment. The concept focuses on how melodies are formed in response to, and in turn shape, the underlying chords and progressions, balancing melodic contour with harmonic support.

In tonal music, melodyharmony examines alignment between melody tones and chord tones, the use of non-chord

Applications: In analysis, melodyharmony helps describe why a melody sounds consonant or tense in a given passage.

History: The term melodyharmony is not a fixed technical label in all traditions; it has emerged in

See also: Melodic theory, Harmonic theory, Counterpoint, Voice leading, Chord tones, Non-chord tones.

tones
as
passing
or
neighboring
tones,
and
how
harmonic
rhythm
interacts
with
melodic
phrasing.
It
considers
voice-leading
between
adjacent
chords,
the
use
of
cadences
to
anchor
melodies,
and
how
dissonance
is
resolved
within
the
context
of
the
harmony.
In
composition
and
arranging,
it
guides
decisions
about
which
scale
degrees
to
emphasize,
where
to
place
non-chord
tones,
and
how
to
time
chord
changes
with
melodic
climaxes.
In
jazz
and
pop,
it
informs
improvisation
and
melodic
construction
against
chord
progressions.
modern
theoretical
writing
as
a
convenient
shorthand
for
discussing
the
feedback
loop
between
melody
and
harmony.
It
overlaps
with
concepts
such
as
voice
leading,
tonal
center,
and
harmonic
rhythm.