Disjunct Motion

Definition

Disjunct motion refers to melodic movement that consists of large intervals, often skipping over several notes in between. It creates a sense of tension and excitement in the music.

Analogy

Think of disjunct motion like jumping from one stepping stone to another in a river. Instead of smoothly moving from one note to the next, you're leaping across the water, creating a dynamic and energetic flow.

Related terms

Conjunct Motion: Conjunct motion is the opposite of disjunct motion, where melodic movement consists of small intervals, moving step by step. It creates a smooth and flowing quality in the music.

Melodic Interval: A melodic interval refers to the distance between two pitches in a melody. In disjunct motion, these intervals are typically larger compared to conjunct motion.

Leap: A leap is an interval larger than a step (usually considered anything larger than a major second) that occurs between two consecutive pitches in a melody. Disjunct motion often involves leaps.