26.2: Types of Motion
Definitions must be set out regarding types of motion between two parts.
- Contrary motion occurs when the two voices move in opposite direction to each other by step or leap.
- Oblique motion occurs when one voice stays the same and the other voice moves up or down by step or leap.
- Similar motion occurs when both voices move in the same (or “similar”) direction—both up (by step or leap) or both down (by step or leap); similar motion is also called “direct” motion
- Parallel motion is a specific type of similar motion and occurs when both voices move in the same direction by the same interval—both up by step, or both down by a third.