countermelody
Americannoun
-
countermelodies
plural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of countermelody
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
Foran's hymnal right-hand theme, with its darting countermelody, makes a memorably moving original of Song for EV; the funky Civil Unrest has a strutting loop over a mouth harp sound and simmering, Morricone-style atmospherics.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 4, 2013
This is a countermelody, sometimes called a descant part.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
Hudson’s work on fellow Canadian Neko Case’s acclaimed ‘00s albums, “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood” and “Middle Cyclone,” reinforced the ways in which his oft-menacing organ chords and gorgeous improvised countermelodies have resonated across generations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 21, 2025
Their harmonies, countermelodies and synthetic sounds became the standard in pop music in the following decades, all of which are quite indebted to schlager.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 8, 2020
“Do It Now” is a best-of-McCartney compilation in one song, with regal keyboards, major-minor modulations, countermelodies and a sweet Macca choir that manages to be accessible and experimental.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 7, 2018
It’s a terse, friendly tune thoroughly interwoven with nervous undercurrents: her quick acoustic guitar-picking, a rock band, a chamber orchestra full of woodwind pulsations and string-section countermelodies.
From New York Times ● Feb. 2, 2018
Gospel and pop singers often add countermelodies, sometimes improvised, and classical music also contains many, many examples of countermelodies.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
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