Musicon / Musical education / Definition of Melody, Harmony and Rhythm
-Definition of Melody, Harmony and Rhythm
In simple phrase Melody is a well-ordered series of tones heard successively;
Harmony, a well-ordered series heard simultaneously;
Rhythm, a symmetrical grouping of tonal time units vitalized by accent.
The life-blood of music is Melody, and a complete conception of the term embodies within itself the essence of both its companions. A succession of tones without harmonic regulation is not a perfect element in music; neither is a succession of tones which have harmonic regulation but are void of rhythm.
The beauty and expressiveness, especially the emotionality, of a musical composition depend upon the harmonies which either accompany the melody in the form of chords (a group of melodic intervals sounded simultaneously), or are latent in the melody itself (harmonic intervals sounded successively).
Melody is Harmony analyzed; Harmony is Melody synthesized.–
From: H. Krehbiel’s, How to Listen to Music; excerpts, edited by Musicon
Veda Ram
I would like to know what is the RYTHM OF MELODY??
Silentiarius
I’m not sure I understand your question. If you mean how rhythm functions inside a melody, or how melody is influenced by rhythm, then I would say that without rhythm a melody would be less of a melody, would sound flat and soulless, a succession of tones without meaning.
nicole
i would like you to explain the “towards an interaction of english rhythm and melody” pls help me to my report pls!
Silentiarius
I’d like to help, but I need the context. Please give me the paragraph where this phrase appears.