In
folk music a tune-family is, "a seeming multiplicity of
melodies," reducible, "to a small number of 'models' or sets." One can think of the models or sets as
deep structures. Often, "different
tunes are the same," and, "the same
tune is different."[1]
Idiolectical (individual) or
dialectical (based on context or on locale)
variations may exist. Different families may also arise from the use of stock structures or of formulae such as stock phrases and
motifs.
^Burke 1978, p.124-5. quoted in Middleton, Richard (1990/2002). Studying Popular Music, [page needed]. Philadelphia: Open University Press.
ISBN0-335-15275-9.