A Simple Melody goes a Long Way

Simply put, what is a simple melody? For that matter, what is a simple, good melody? Here’s a simple answer. A simple, good melody is a bunch of notes, with various pitches, strung together in a ‘catchy’ sort of way.

This beckons the question, can a melody be just a few notes, not varying much in pitch and strung together in a ‘non-catchy’ sort of way? Absolutely! We call this a ‘boring’ melody.

Although there is a mysterious element of magic that goes into writing a hit melody, the elements within a melodic line are not mysterious at all. Rhythm and harmony both play rolls in organizing and delivering punch to modern day tunes. The former, when altered within a tune, can drastically change the feel of pre-existing melodic material. As for harmony, melodic notes often outline basic triads and chords as part of their pattern.

For a composer, writing a good tune is like a baseball player’s grand slam homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, a tennis player’s Grand Slam trophy, or a hockey player’s championship ring.

Although the elements of a good melody are understood, how it is achieved in the first place is part of the magic and mystery that makes song writing and traditional composing all the more attractive. For more on the mystery of melody, and how to hone your skills in writing proper elements within that melody, click here for the ultimate composer’s resource.

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