melodic tier

In some models of NON-LINEAR PHONOLOGY, a term referring to a level in a PROSODIC HIERARCHY at which ARTICULATORY GESTURES can be REPRESENTED, distinct from SKELETAL or SYLLABIC tiers. For example, a LONG VOWEL would be analyzed as a single melody unit but would occupy two slots at the skeletal tier; and a CONTOUR segment would occupy a single skeletal slot but correspond to two articulatory gestures at the melodic tier. Several other items have also been used as names for this level of representation.