Melody

A sequence of musical tones.

tune melody line

A sequence of single tones that form a musical phrase, typically organized in rhythm and pitch to create a coherent structure.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɛlədi/

Etymology

From Old French melodie, from Medieval Latin melodia, from Greek mélōdia (musical ode), from mēlos (song, verse) + -odia (suffix denoting relation to).

Explain Like I’m 5

A melody is like a musical sentence - it's a series of notes that create a recognizable tune, like the part you can sing along to in a song.

Fun Facts

Ancient Greek philosophers believed melody could affect emotions
Some cultures use melodies to tell stories or pass down traditions
The shortest complete melody is often considered to be 'Frère Jacques'

FAQ

What is a melody? A sequence of musical notes perceived as a single, complete unit
How does it differ from harmony? Melody is the main tune, while harmony provides supporting notes
What makes a melody memorable? Repetitive phrases and catchy rhythms often contribute to memorability

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

music tune

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

motif phrase theme

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

song composition piece

Indexes

aesthetic musical representational

Built by Tim Jones