When a melody moves from one note to the next, it can travel in three different ways. We call them steps, skips, and leaps. Learning these helps you see how a tune walks around.

A step is the smallest move. The melody goes to the note right next door, like stepping onto the very next stair. On a staff, a step goes from a line to the space right beside it.

A skip is a little bigger. The melody hops over one note to reach the next one, like skipping a stair on the way up. On a staff, a skip jumps from a line to the next line, or a space to the next space.

A leap is the biggest move of all. The melody jumps far away to a note that is much higher or lower, like a big frog leaping across a pond.

Songs use all three moves to keep our ears happy. Too many steps can feel sleepy, but a surprise leap can make a song feel exciting and brave.

The three ways a melody travels are moving to the next-door note, skipping one, or leaping far away. Next time you hum a song, notice when it steps, skips, or leaps.