However, melody alone would not normally keep the listener’s attention for long because a piece of music needs some variety and contrasting elements from time to time.
Regardless of musical style, an increase of focus on certain parameters in a musical passage should be accompanied by a decrease in focus on others. ( ① )
The human mind has an attention limit, beyond which music is most likely to be perceived as lacking order or direction. ( ② )
For instance, if the intention is to focus on melodic lines, then one should avoid making too many contrasting timbre variations while the melodies are unfolding;
otherwise, the timbre may distract attention away from the pitch. ( ③ )
One of the most difficult issues in the practice of composition is to find the right balance between repetition and diversity:
a well-balanced
piece of music should unfold naturally to listeners. ( ④ )
In most Western musical styles, this unfolding results from a network of relationships between musical attributes that combine in different ways to create situations where contrasts can take place. ( ⑤ )
Such contrasts are normally preceded by a preparatory stage, which builds upon the listener’s
expectations. * timbre: 음색
