Contrary motion
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In music theory, contrary motion is the general movement of two melodic lines in opposite directions. That is, when one of the lines moves up, the other line moves down.
Contrary motion is contrasted with:
- similar motion (movement of two melodic lines in the same direction, but with the interval between them changing);
- parallel motion (movement of two melodic lines in the same direction, keeping the same interval between them); and
- oblique motion (movement of one melodic line while the other remains at the same pitch).
Contrary motion is important to maintain independence of melodic movement in contrapuntal writing.
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