countermelody

American  

[koun-ter-mel-uh-dee] / ˈkaʊn tərˌmɛl ə di /

noun

plural

countermelodies

1. a melody heard, played, or sung simultaneously with another melody as an integral part of the composition.

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Etymology

Origin of countermelody

First recorded in 1930–35; counter- + melody

Example Sentences

He adds a funky countermelody, reminiscent of Horace Silver or Lee Morgan, and remakes “Billy Joe” into a remarkable slice of hard bop, a 12-minute roller-coaster ride.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

An intricately expressive countermelody floats high into the piano’s upper register, adorned with Chopinesque curlicues.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 18, 2019

He might drop a chord of dewdrop sensitivity into the middle of a passage of heavily percussive playing; he might change the hue of a comrade’s solo by suggesting a subtle countermelody underneath.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2018

Apparently, it is Bruce Langhorne’s electric guitar countermelody that gives the track its wistful and nostalgic quality, elevating three simple chords into something special.

From Time • Jul. 17, 2014

Music that is mostly homophonic can become temporarily polyphonic if an independent countermelody is added.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones