Melody in the Classical era

In the Classical era, melodies followed current ideals of form. The notion of balance and contrast led to the use of contrasting themes, or subjects, in a pattern that became established practice in the writing of works in genres such as sonata, concerto and symphony. In their purest form, themes were shaped in two halves of 8 bars each: the first half was rising (question) and the second half descending (answer).