Drama

Musical

Example

Drama Secret

Score

Drama Music/

Score

Melody (cont.)

Now using the score below, look at beat 4 of our first bar. The melody note is an Eb. In bar 2, beat 2-and-a-half, we play an E natural. But the very next note is the Eb again.

This creates tension for the following reason. Our root note is C. In a scale with a root of C, the presence of an Eb note indicates the minor scale (note the Eb in the key signature),

and the presence of the E natural note indicates the Major scale.

In our diminished scale melody, we alternate between the notes Eb and E natural. Therefore, we are alternating between a minor feel and a major feel. This creates a strong sense of uncertainty, and therefore, drama.