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Music vocabulary · Melody, Form and Songwriting

Melody

Meaning in music, with examples

/ˈmelədi/nounCore term

In music, melody means: A sequence of single notes that forms a recognisable musical line, often the part that people remember and sing along to.

In Turkish: melodi, ezgi

How it is used

Used by songwriters, singers and teachers. You write, hum, sing or play a melody; it can be catchy, simple or memorable. In an arrangement, one instrument carries the melody while others accompany it. 'Tune' is the informal everyday word.

Example sentences

  1. The violins take the melody in the second verse, and the voice moves to harmony.

  2. I had the melody in my head for days before I found the right words.

Common collocations

  • write a melody
  • hum a melody
  • catchy melody
  • carry the melody
  • melody line
  • harmonyThe sound of different notes heard together, and the way chords are built and connected. It also means a second vocal line sung above or below the melody.
  • arrangementA version of a piece that decides which instruments play which parts, how sections are ordered and how the song builds from start to finish.
  • riffA short, catchy musical phrase that is repeated many times, often on guitar, bass or keyboard, and becomes the signature idea of a song.
  • lyricsThe words of a song. The person who writes them is a lyricist, and the words are protected by copyright just like the music.
  • composeTo create an original piece of music, especially instrumental or classical music, film music or music written down in notation.

More terms: Melody, Form and Songwriting

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