MotifLab ✕
◆ MotifLab Learn 📊 Progress 🎓 Teach 👂 Listen ⋯ More 🧭 My Journey Teach the Cast Some of MotifLab’s cast are still learning. When you teach them, YOU learn it best — catch what they get wrong, then quiz them.
✕ Teach Twine You be the teacher — Twine is still learning. Helping Twine figure it out is the practice. (Twine's progress stays on this device; nothing is sent anywhere.)
🎓 In a minute you'll be the teacher. Get ready to teach Twine: a counter-melody is its OWN independent tune that weaves against the main melody.
A counter-melody is its own tune that weaves against the main melody. It isn't the backing chords, and it isn't the melody played lower.
Teach the connections
Show how the composition ideas connect You've helped them one at a time. The real understanding is how the ideas CONNECT — teach that next.
Trill (the motif — the main tune that develops) × Twine (counter-melody — a second tune woven against the main one)
Why can Twine's counter-melody not exist on its own, without Trill's motif?
A counter-melody is defined AGAINST the main tune — no motif (Trill), nothing for Twine to weave against A counter-melody replaces the motif entirely They're two unrelated songs played at once
Trill then says: “I'll write a counter-melody first, then add the main tune later if I feel like it.” — is that right?
A counter-melody needs the motif to weave against — write Trill's tune first, then Twine Right, counter-melody stands alone
The link: motif and counter-melody are a duet — Twine is a line drawn against Trill's.
A second line only counters when there's a first.
Nest (the key — the home note the song keeps returning to) × Wend (cadence — how a phrase comes to rest (the song's punctuation))
A phrase feels 'finished' at its cadence. What is it actually resolving TOWARD?
Toward Nest's home note — a cadence resolves relative to the key's tonic Toward the loudest note, regardless of key Cadence and key are unrelated — resting has no home
Nest then says: “A cadence sounds finished no matter what key you're in — the home note doesn't matter.” — is that right?
The cadence resolves toward Nest's tonic; move the home note and 'rest' moves with it Right, key doesn't affect the cadence
The link: a cadence is a return home — Wend rests on the note Nest keeps.
A phrase rests by coming home to the key.
Capstone — build one short piece together Three layers, one little piece. Bring in the cast member for each.
A short, memorable tune that grows and develops. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Trill — the motif Thrum — the deep bass Tint — the timbre/color
Notes blooming underneath to support that tune. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Meld — harmony under the melody Clap — the rhythm pattern Ply — the texture layers
How the phrase comes to rest — the song's punctuation. Who?
Who do you bring in?
Wend — the cadence Trill — the motif Surge — the dynamics
The synthesis: a motif to remember, harmony to hold it up, and a cadence to land it — the bones of a piece.
Tune, support, and a place to rest — a piece takes shape.
Build it in the composition tools →
Reading Access Make reading comfier. Saved on this device only — nothing leaves your device.
Line spacing Normal Roomy Roomiest
Letter & word spacing Normal Wide Widest
Font Default OpenDyslexic Book
Reading tools Reading ruler Focus mode Read aloud Bigger tiles
Motion & sound No motion Sound off
Game look Usual Bigger and calmer
Same ideas with a younger band's look: bigger type and buttons, a rounder font, slower motion. For any child who wants it.
Heavy features Auto Full Lighter
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