Which melodic patterns are found in Melanesian music?

In Melanesian music, melodic patterns are diverse and rarely based on a single structural principle; instead, most traditions feature a mixture of styles. The primary melodic forms identified in the region include:1

• Triadic: The melody moves predominantly or exclusively on the steps of a triad (three tones, each a third apart). This style is often associated with speakers of non-Austronesian (Papuan) languages.12
• Pentatonic: The melody utilizes five steps within an octave, typically emphasizing seconds, fourths, and fifths. This structure is often linked to Austronesian cultural influence.12
• Narrow: Melodic movement is restricted to a small range, or ambit, of a third.1
• Tiled: The melody consists of a sequence of short, narrow phrases that occur on different tonal levels, always in a descending order.1

Additionally, some groups exhibit "modulating pentatony," a style characterized by the use of several pentatonic modes in succession, which has been attributed to European cultural contact. Because musical styles in Melanesia are often shaped by intrinsic musical principles rather than text, these patterns frequently appear in combination, with one style prevailing depending on the specific ethnic group and historical context.213