In music,Hauptstimme (German forprimary voice) orHauptsatz is the mainvoice, chiefpart; i.e., thecontrapuntal ormelodic line of primary importance, in opposition toNebenstimme.Nebenstimme (German forsecondary voice) orSeitensatz is the secondary part; i.e., a secondary contrapuntal or melodic part, always occurring simultaneously with, and subsidiary to, theHauptstimme. The practice of marking the primary voice within the musical score/parts was invented byArnold Schoenberg.[2]
The terms are used primarily byArnold Schoenberg,Alban Berg, andAnton Webern, but are not uncommon in scores for string quartet. They are commonly indicated inmusical scores with the marks "H" and "N"ligatured with the right half of a T (𝆦 and 𝆧).[3] When the "primary voice" ends in one instrument/staff/part, it may be marked with a closing bracket (such as 𝆨) at the point where it passes to another instrument/staff/part.[4]
Further contrapuntal lines or material may be consideredaccompaniment.[5]
Other examples of the terms' use include lead andback up vocals, melody and counter-melody.
In a footnote to a musical score, Schoenberg wrote, "The human voice is alwaysHauptstimme [when present]."[6]
In music, acounter-melody (oftencountermelody) is a sequence ofnotes, perceived as a melody, written to be played simultaneously with a more prominent leadmelody: a secondary melody played incounterpoint with the primary melody. A counter-melody performs a subordinate role, and is typically heard in atexture consisting of a melody plusaccompaniment.
In marches, the counter melody is often given to the trombones orhorns (American composerDavid Wallis Reeves is credited with this innovation in 1876.[8]) The more formal termcountersubject applies to a secondary or subordinate melodic idea in afugue. A countermelody differs from abarbershop quartet-style harmony part sung by abackup singer in that whereas the harmony part typically lacks its own independent musical line, a countermelody is a distinct melodic line.
AHauptrhythmus (pluralHauptrhythmen) is arhythmicmotif orcell.
TheHauptrhythmus ofAlban Berg'sChamber Concerto is:[9]
InUnicode, the Hauptstimme, Nebenstimme, and closing bracket symbols are part of theMusical Symbols and are coded as follows:
| Character | Official designation |
|---|---|
| 𝆦 | U+1D1A6 MUSICAL SYMBOL HAUPTSTIMME |
| 𝆧 | U+1D1A7 MUSICAL SYMBOL NEBENSTIMME |
| 𝆨 | U+1D1A8 MUSICAL SYMBOL END OF STIMME |
| Musical instruments |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Techniques and styles | ||
| Music ensembles | ||
