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one phrase · a melody

8 s · 100 bpm · the same phrase, climbing in key — a fourth, a fifth, an octave

one phrase · a melody 8 s · 100 bpm · the same phrase, climbing in key — a fourth, a fifth, an octave
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↓ wav ↓ midi

The very same phrase, now played a fourth higher, then a fifth, then an octave up — and the one idea climbs into a melody, staying in key the whole way. Nothing re-composed; a single phrase, repitched, becomes the tune.

One phrase becomes a melody

This is the same phrase, repitched.

Play it once at its own pitch, then again a fourth higher, a fifth higher, and an octave up:

phrase:  1 3 5 8 5 3
play at: root · +4th · +5th · +octave   # one phrase, four pitches

The phrase itself never changes — it’s one idea. Moving it up in pitch is the only thing that happens, and the four placements climb in key — a fourth, a fifth, an octave home — so the single part rises into a melody.

It’s the sampler’s oldest trick — one sound, played across the keys — except here the “sound” is a whole musical phrase and the keys are the steps of a scale. One idea, reused, becomes the tune.