Counter melody?

[StudioRat81]

I am trying to understand exactly what counter melody is, and what
does and does not qualify as counter melody in mainstream music. I've
found a few examples where the counter melody was very obvious (i.e. 2
distinct vocal melodies being sung simultaneously), but I've also
heard counter melody described as a generic sort of term that can
apply to basically any secondary melodic part. So here is my
question...in a lot of modern music, especially in country, you often
find certain instruments playing a melodic role behind the lead vocal
to add a little bit of interest to the arrangement. Sometimes this
will take the form of instrumental "licks" that fill in the spaces
between lines, other times (and less frequently) it is a more
persistent melody that is playing in conjunction with the lead. A good
example is the Tim McGraw song "Live Like You Were Dying", where the
electric guitars in the chorus are providing "licks", while the string
section is providing something more substantial. Do either of these
qualify as counter melody? If not, what would this type of melodic
movement be considered as?

Thanks for your help.

[Joey Goldstein]

Post by StudioRat81
I am trying to understand exactly what counter melody is, and what
does and does not qualify as counter melody in mainstream music. I've
found a few examples where the counter melody was very obvious (i.e. 2
distinct vocal melodies being sung simultaneously), but I've also
heard counter melody described as a generic sort of term that can
apply to basically any secondary melodic part. So here is my
question...in a lot of modern music, especially in country, you often
find certain instruments playing a melodic role behind the lead vocal
to add a little bit of interest to the arrangement. Sometimes this
will take the form of instrumental "licks" that fill in the spaces
between lines, other times (and less frequently) it is a more
persistent melody that is playing in conjunction with the lead. A good
example is the Tim McGraw song "Live Like You Were Dying", where the
electric guitars in the chorus are providing "licks", while the string
section is providing something more substantial. Do either of these
qualify as counter melody?

Yes.
But you may be confusing the art of counterpoint with the practice of
counter-melody. They are related of course, but not the same exactly.

In the music you're describing there is a wash of chordal accompaniment
behind the principal melody and any other counter-melodies also sit
within that wash.
In contrapuntal music the chords themselves come about due to the
interaction of the simultaneous melodies.

Post by StudioRat81
If not, what would this type of melodic
movement be considered as?
Thanks for your help.