Key learning points

1. Identifying the shape of a melody is key to melodic dictation.
2. The melodic shape has to account for ascending and descending pitch, as well as conjunct and disjunct movement.
3. With disjunct intervals, we have to listen carefully to notice whether they are large or small leaps.
4. We can represent melodic shape using a line.
5. We can then approximate the correct pitches by drawing notes in to fit the rough melodic shape.

Keywords

• Melodic dictation - the process of listening to a melody and writing it down

• Melodic shape - the shape of a melody, including how it ascends and descends and where it is conjunct or disjunct

• Conjunct - a melody (or part of a melody) that moves by small intervals (semitones or tones)

• Disjunct - a melody (or part of a melody) that moves by intervals larger than a tone

Common misconception