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Melody Activity

Richard Wagner wrote in a style called the leitmotif.  These leitmotifs represented a theme, object, or character in his operas.  Wagner believed that these themes would connect different parts of the opera together, especially since many of these operas are almost 3 hours long.  This use of motives was connected to the themes we commonly know in movie scores today, such as in Star Wars.

Part I.  Many of Wagner's themes are short, and involve a triad (consisting of three notes, each note being a third apart from the next).  Construct a short leitmotif (no more than 2 measures long) using a triad based on Bb, D, and F (use staff paper provided by the teacher).

Part II.  Now construct a leitmotif using three notes of your choice that form a triad (still no more than 2 measures long).

Part III.  Below the two leitmotifs, explain what you think your motives describe.  Furthermore, describe what you think Wagner used his themes for in Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral.