counter melody

English

Noun

counter melody (plural counter melodies)

1. Alternative form of countermelody
   • 1948, Roy M. Miller, Practical Instrumentation for the Wind Band, page 29:

     A melody and the counter melody to it should sound well as a duet without accompaniment.

   • 1997, William Russo, Jazz Composition and Orchestration, page 628:

     But when the melody and counter melody actually do cross (as in Ex. 37), care should be taken to avoid giving the ear the impression that such crossing has not taken place.

   • 2010, Patricia M. O'Scannell, The Complete Scottish & English Country Dance Master for Recorders, page 10:

     I've sought to bring this out by creating a slow-moving counter melody which moves through, rather than arrives at, the cadences (this is a hallmark of Celtic harmonies, which are rooted in the concept of drones and dissonance.)