http://mall.cnki.net/magazine/Article/ZYJA201207023.htm : 二、主题与音型的关系一般地说,音型分:上行音型下行音型、水平音型和波浪音型。

1.上行音型的歌曲主题一般表现朝气、奋进的情绪。如:(1)《革命青年 进行曲》(集体词、田歌曲)(2)《誓言》(王一晶词曲)

2.下行音型的歌曲主题一般表现伤悲、低回的情绪。如:(1)《喜儿哭爹》(选自歌剧《白毛 女》)(2)《让世界充满爱》(陈哲小林、郭峰、孙铭词,郭峰曲)

3.水平音型的歌曲主题一般表现坚定、稳重的情绪。如:(1)《跟着毛主席》(佚名词 曲)(2)《田野》(黄蕾词、黄若曲

4.波浪音型的歌曲主题一般表现热情、亢奋的情绪。如:(1)《颂歌献给毛主席》(瞿琮词、郑秋枫曲)(2)《天上青 松根连根》(新疆民歌)综上所述,选用什么样的音型,对歌曲主题塑造什么样的音乐形象和表现什么样的情绪,都有直接影响。在四种音型中,波浪音型常见、常 用。

Looking at the context of your source text and the link provided above, I think 上行音型 means ‘uplifting melody’ and 下行音型 means ‘downcast melody’. The author is saying is that the song about Jesus conquering the grave has an uplifting and upbeat melody (as this is positive in a Christian context), and songs about the sins of mankind usually have a downcast melody (as sin is negative in a Christian context).


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Note added at 12 hrs (2014-02-19 09:11:30 GMT)
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Here are the links of the two songs listed above as 下行音型的歌曲 :
让世界充满爱: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLHxPYqA_Qw
喜儿哭爹: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgPjC36DV10

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Note added at 12 hrs (2014-02-19 09:33:12 GMT)
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or 'downcast tone'

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Note added at 15 hrs (2014-02-19 12:22:46 GMT)
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In the two songs listed above, the accompaniments (figures) are not particularly obvious and I was thinking that the author might be using the term 音型 to mean melody/ tune instead. However, on second thought, I think that 音型 in this context is indeed a figure (accompaniment). A duet (二重奏) usually consists of a melody and accompaniment. And I think in this case, the composer is indeed referring to a descending figure as Xiaoxian mentioned.

In the video link below, the descending figure can be heard:
http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8... : (On Alexandre Tansman) The Intermezzo (the earliest such piece he wrote) is an intimate piece based on a descending figure.

Alexandre Tansman , The Intermezzo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PigTNPMkzIg


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Note added at 3 days18 hrs (2014-02-22 15:05:12 GMT) Post-grading
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POST GRADING NOTE: "Downcast melody" isn't the correct answer.

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Note added at 3 days18 hrs (2014-02-22 15:42:20 GMT) Post-grading
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I've removed this answer from the glossary and am trying to get this removed as the 'selected response' so as to not misinform anyone who looks this term up in the future.