Contrary motion

Contrary motion

In music theory, contrary motion is the general movement of two melodic lines in opposite directions. That is, when one of the lines moves up, the other line moves down. If the voices always move by the same intervals (in opposite directions) they are said to be in strict contrary motion.

The following example shows two voices in contrary motion:

Contrary motion is contrasted with:

*similar motion (movement of two melodic lines in the same direction, but with the interval between them changing);:
*parallel motion (movement of two melodic lines in the same direction, keeping the same interval between them) [this is also called direct motion] :
*oblique motion (movement of one melodic line while the other remains at the same pitch).:

Contrary motion is important to maintain independence of melodic movement in contrapuntal writing.


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Contrary motion — Contrary Con tra*ry (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie, contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See {Contra }.] 1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. [1913 Webster] And if ye walk contrary …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • contrary motion — noun : melodic progression of two voices moving in opposite directions * * * Music. melodic motion in which one part rises in pitch while the other descends. * * * contrary motion noun (music) Movement of parts in opposite directions, one up,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • contrary motion — Music. melodic motion in which one part rises in pitch while the other descends. * * * …   Universalium

  • contrary motion — /kɒntrəri ˈmoʊʃən/ (say kontruhree mohshuhn) noun melodic motion in which one part rises in pitch while the other descends, and vice versa …  

  • contrary motion — one part rising in pitch while the other descends (Music) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Contrary — Con tra*ry (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie, contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See {Contra }.] 1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. [1913 Webster] And if ye walk contrary unto me …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Contrary — may refer to: Contrary motion, in music theory Contrary Magazine, a literary journal founded at the University of Chicago Contrary (social role), in certain Amerindian cultures Contrary (comics), a character from Malibu Comics Ultraverse Little… …   Wikipedia

  • Motion — Mo tion, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; opposed… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Motion block — Motion Mo tion, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • contrary — con•trar•y [[t]ˈkɒn trɛr i[/t]] for 5 also [[t]kənˈtrɛər i[/t]] adj. n. pl. trar•ies, adv. 1) opposite in nature or character; diametrically or mutually opposed: contrary to fact; contrary beliefs[/ex] 2) opposite in direction or position:… …   From formal English to slang

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