Linear and periodic structures correspond to the horizontal and vertical elements in music. A melody is a simple example of a linear structure. A chord is a simple example of a periodic structure. A canon is a more complex example of a linear structure. A set of variations is a more complex example of a periodic structure.
No musical composition is a pure and simple example of either linear or periodic structure. Much of the fascination is listening to music is in the interrelationships between dynamic linear and periodic elements.
|
