Definition of melody

What is meant by melody in music?

I learnt that it is a collection of single notes played one after the other, and it express the lyrics of a song.

But what is meant by melody songs, what does it refer to?

Need a clear understanding about melody.

- S.P.Charles

Originally Posted by: Philip CharlesWhat is meant by melody in music?[/quote]

Great question!

Melody is the essential characteristic of music. Melody is a rhythmic succession of musical notes (pitch-specific, properly intonated tones) constructed in such a manner as to be perceivable as a self contained unit.

As you mentioned about lyrics, the melody of a song is the notes that are sung to convey the words (lyrics).

So if I type or say these words:

Mary had a little lamb

Little lamb, little lamb

Mary had a little lamb

Fleece was white as snow

That's not a song or a melody. It's a poem. When I sing the poem with the traditional tune I'm using the melody. That is using the melody to convey the words. I can play the tune on guitar (or even whistle it!) without using words & it is still the melody of the song.

I cover the concept of melody in this lesson.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=30711&s_id=495

[quote=Philip Charles]But what is meant by melody songs, what does it refer to?

I'm not familiar with that term. Where did you hear or read it?

I'm guessing it could be a way of referring to an instrumental song, meaning a song in which the melody is not sung but instead played by an instrument.

Hope that helps!

Thanks Mr. Christopher your explaination about melody is really helpful,

And question about melody songs, I'm a srilankan tamil and use to hear indian tamil songs, they usually notate songs as melody songs which was realsed between 1985 - 1995, but i dont know why they use this term but mostly those songs has riffs and melodies included along with lyrics, but exactly i dont know the definition of melody songs?

Anyhow your explaination is helpful

Thanks

Charles