A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Motion

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A Dictionary of Music and Musicians
edited by George Grove

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From volume 2 of the work.

1712159A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — MotionGeorge GroveHubert Parry

MOTION is change of pitch in successive sounds, when they are allotted to a single part or voice, or to groups of parts or voices which sound simultaneously. The motions of a single part are classified according as the successive steps do or do not exceed the limits of a degree of the scale at a time, the former being called 'disjunct,' and the latter 'conjunct' motion. The following examples illustrate the two forms:—

Conjunct	Beethoven.
${ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \time 2/2 \key e \major \relative g'' { gis2 fis4 e \| dis2 cis \| dis e4 fis \| gis2 fis } }$ etc.
Disjunct	Bach.
${ \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \clef bass \time 4/4 \relative e' { r4 e c f \| gis, r r8 d' b e \| c a fis dis' e,4 } }$ etc.

The independent motions of different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint, and are classified according to their relations, as 'contrary,' 'similar,' and 'oblique' motions. In the first the parts either distinctly converge or diverge, one rising when the other falls. In the second the parts either rise or fall together, though not necessarily at equal distances. The third refers to one part only, which moves up or down while another stands still.

Further explanations and examples will be found under the respective headings.

[ C. H. H. P. ]