It's no secret that absolutely all people listen to music. One way or another, listeners highlight the main line in the composition, which is harmoniously perceived by ear. Most often this is called a tune. What is it from the point of view of classical interpretations and modern musical canons? We will find out now.
Melody: what is it?
In general, the concept of melody dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. If you look at what a melody is, the definition by their standards was interpreted as a “chorus” or “chant” of an epic work on stage or in a staged performance. Indeed, in most cases this concept is associated precisely with the main line of writing or staging a musical work (then it was called melodia).
However, given modern interpretations, a melody cannot be defined as a purely vocal part, since even instrumental music involves the use of one or more solo instruments.
Music is a harmonious combination of sounds, pleasant to hear. This is where the melody manifests itself. What is it, it is not difficult to understand if you approach the issue even at the level of perception of the effects of sounds on a person.
Agree, because our hearing perceives only those sounds that do not cause discomfort and anxiety. In this regard, the main melody is a consistent set of sounds that builds in a certain key.
Of course, it is very difficult to call disharmonious and dissonant sequences a melody, especially when you consider the vocal parts performed by the growl technique, which are mandatory in styles like Death Metal or Black Metal.
What is melody and accompaniment?
If we approach the issue of distinguishing between melody and accompaniment, it should be noted the fact that, on the one hand, in the performance of a particular work, we are dealing with the main theme, sometimes called the leitmotif, and on the other, the accompanying musical design, which emphasizes it.
Note that accompaniment never plays a major role in a piece of music. As already clear, this is just an additional tool that emphasizes the main idea (melody, motive, etc.). And the processing options for the initial topic can be any number.
In most cases, you do not need to resort to the help of modern synthesizers, which are able to create an arrangement in any style. This is mainly a motive that runs through the whole composition.
The concept of melody in terms of early classical music
All music, including classical, implies that the main melodic line is always present.
True, earlier, for example, in piano plays, it was believed that it is possible to understand what a melody is in music only from parts played with the right and left hand. The absolute standard was the performance with the right hand of the main line, and with the left - the accompaniment. But this is not a dogma.
One or more melodic lines?
The fact is that some composers tried to use the same or several variations on a given topic in the scores for both hands. As already clear, the party was dominant for the right hand.
But Johann Sebastian Bach, who wrote thousands of pieces for piano and organ, when creating the same saraband, shifted the melodies one by one for the performance with both the right and the left hand. Moreover, in his musical works for piano one can often find the performance of two melodies with different hands at the same time.
Firstly, it gave some flavor to the musical piece itself, and, secondly, it developed the game technique. You must admit that not every musician can play two melodies on the piano at the same time, because the fingers are dependent on the coordination of our brain.
