melodicharmonic

Melodicharmonic is a term used in music theory to describe the systematic relationship between melodic movement and the underlying harmonic structure. It refers to how melodic lines interact with harmonic rhythm, chord tones, and voice-leading to create coherence or tension.

The term blends melody and harmonic or harmonic-related concepts and is a relatively recent coinage with limited widespread adoption. It appears in online discussions and some pedagogical contexts as a way to analyze how melodies align with or depart from functional harmony.

Analysts consider melodic contour in relation to chord tones, target notes (arpeggiation of chords), and non-chord tones such as passing tones, neighbor tones, and escape tones. They examine the rhythmic placement of harmonic changes, the melodic prioritization of chord tones on strong beats, and how melodic leaps create or resolve harmonic expectations. Melodicharmonic can be applied across tonal, modal, and simplified musical contexts to describe how melody and harmony support one another.

In educational settings, melodicharmonic can aid in teaching voice-leading and harmonic anticipation. Critics note that as a neologism it risks ambiguity unless clearly defined within a theoretical framework, and researchers often stress the need for explicit criteria to determine what constitutes melodicharmonic alignment. Related concepts include functional harmony, voice leading, melody, and harmony.