SoundRegion
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Quest for the perfect melody
I'm currently at a section in my "middle ages" project that I promised myself would have to be the best melody I have ever created, so I'm on a hunt for the perfect melody and was looking for some input. I used to think that it was all about the amount of notes. Fewer notes means a quick attraction, but no sustainable pleasure. I'm not all certain that it's so simple. Beethovens 5th acchieved huge recognition for the very simple opening and Tchaikowsky achieved the same with a more complex melody in the 1st pianoconcerto. Any views ?
What are some examples a great melody ?
Off the top of my head examples would be:
The opening of Mike Oldfields Ommadawn
Ronald Binge: The elisabethan serenade
Kirsty MacColl: They don't know (verse)
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jamesg1213
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/09 13:35:39
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Here's a couple that might give you some inspiration;
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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jamesg1213
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/09 13:37:18
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Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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davdud101
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/09 13:43:12
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I feel like a lot of tunes that are now considered jazz standard have absolutely exceptional melodies. Can't think of any off-the-dome, but i'm sure there are some here who can
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craigb
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/09 16:22:20
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Turn on some type of recording device (even a phone works) then play whatever you want on a piano (along with random stuff). Go back and listen to the recording and see if there are any "Ooo... THAT has potential!" parts then flesh a few of those out. The key is to not think about it during the recording process, just let things flow and completely ignore anything that doesn't sound good! 
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bapu
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/09 22:32:49
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craigb
and completely ignore anything that doesn't sound good!
I'd have no recordings to my name then.
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quantumeffect
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 00:34:00
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craigb
Turn on some type of recording device (even a phone works) then play whatever you want on a piano (along with random stuff). Go back and listen to the recording and see if there are any "Ooo... THAT has potential!" parts then flesh a few of those out. The key is to not think about it during the recording process, just let things flow and completely ignore anything that doesn't sound good!
... then go back and listen to the whole thing backwards.
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craigb
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 00:58:15
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quantumeffect
craigb
Turn on some type of recording device (even a phone works) then play whatever you want on a piano (along with random stuff). Go back and listen to the recording and see if there are any "Ooo... THAT has potential!" parts then flesh a few of those out. The key is to not think about it during the recording process, just let things flow and completely ignore anything that doesn't sound good!
... then go back and listen to the whole thing backwards.
On LSD.
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synkrotron
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 03:15:07
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Yep, improvisation is the order of the day here... Play fast... Slow... Everything in between... Something will develop that you like... Do that over a number of days... Choose the best... Listening to Nimrod... Nice that (note to self - must curtail the over use of the ellipsis...)
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sharke
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 03:45:32
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The Lark Ascending is a good one, loads of great melodies in there. In fact Vaughan Williams' stuff is a treasure trove of amazing melodies, some of them taken from English folk music.
To me one mark of a good melody is its whistleability. The first melody in "English Folk Song Suite" by Vaughan Williams is a fine example. It has every good hallmark of a great melody and I whistle it all the time. Another great trove of melodies is Holst's "Jupiter" from The Planets.
And you can't discuss melody without mentioning Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition."
I think good melodies have a pleasing element of symmetry in them, and they might also have a linguistic element to them as well.
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bapu
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 03:50:24
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☄ Helpfulby craigb 2017/04/10 04:18:51
sharke
and they might also have a linguistic element to them as well.
This is a family friendly website. We'll have none of that sex talk here.
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quantumeffect
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 03:54:01
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bapu
sharke
and they might also have a linguistic element to them as well.
This is a family friendly website. We'll have none of that sex talk here.
Now that was a cunning reply.
Dave 8.5 PE 64, i7 Studio Cat, Delta 1010, GMS and Ludwig Drums, Paiste Cymbals "Everyone knows rock n' roll attained perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact." H. Simpson "His chops are too righteous." Plankton during Sponge Bob's guitar solo
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sharke
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 03:57:16
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Kingpin fans will know what I'm talking about. 
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SoundRegion
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 19:43:37
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craigb
Turn on some type of recording device (even a phone works) then play whatever you want on a piano (along with random stuff). Go back and listen to the recording and see if there are any "Ooo... THAT has potential!" parts then flesh a few of those out. The key is to not think about it during the recording process, just let things flow and completely ignore anything that doesn't sound good!
Yeah done that before only right now the melodies sorta come easy to me. The only thing I'm thinking about is that if they come that easy, they're probably no good and I'm fining it hard to decide what to use. jamesg1213
Here's a couple that might give you some inspiration;
Good choices. thanks. sharke
The Lark Ascending is a good one, loads of great melodies in there. In fact Vaughan Williams' stuff is a treasure trove of amazing melodies, some of them taken from English folk music.
To me one mark of a good melody is its whistleability. The first melody in "English Folk Song Suite" by Vaughan Williams is a fine example. It has every good hallmark of a great melody and I whistle it all the time. Another great trove of melodies is Holst's "Jupiter" from The Planets.
And you can't discuss melody without mentioning Mussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition."
I think good melodies have a pleasing element of symmetry in them, and they might also have a linguistic element to them as well.
Thanks for the suggestion. Jupiter is a perfect example of what I'm looking for. Very beautiful ! Not too familiar with the british composers.
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Bhav
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/10 23:30:50
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Maple Leaf and Pineapple rags are the most perfect melodies to my ears.
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Mesh
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/11 13:51:25
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bitflipper
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 03:48:56
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Examples of perfect melodies:
Greensleeves
Pachelbel's Canon
Ave Maria
How do I know they're perfect? People are still humming them after 300 hundred years.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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Bhav
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 09:35:07
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Oh Greensleeves is wonderful.
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synkrotron
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 09:51:41
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2017/04/12 14:28:04
Bhav
Oh Greensleeves is wonderful.
I tend to agree but, after reading Mr Townsend's post I had to listen to a bit of Meshuggah to get Greensleeves out of my head. And it's there again now 
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eph221
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 17:40:59
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bitflipper
Examples of perfect melodies:
Greensleeves
Pachelbel's Canon
Ave Maria
How do I know they're perfect? People are still humming them after 300 hundred years.
Anonymous...the most prolific composer ever!
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michaelhanson
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 23:02:22
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eph221
bitflipper
Examples of perfect melodies:
Greensleeves
Pachelbel's Canon
Ave Maria
How do I know they're perfect? People are still humming them after 300 hundred years.
Anonymous...the most prolific composer ever!
Never got the recognition he deserved.
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Bhav
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/12 23:36:26
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This is one of my favourite olden songs:
I actually tried recording a cover of it, but haven't gotten around to producing it any further yet.
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craigb
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 03:09:39
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How far did you get? One raven, two? 
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Beepster
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 03:13:12
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"meowmeowmeowmeow meowmeowmeowmeow meowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeowmeow"
...and so forth.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 12:04:14
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Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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Bhav
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 12:28:42
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craigb
How far did you get? One raven, two?
Well I recorded it all but with a simple single note piano melody. I dont think I sang it well enough to bother finishing it, and Im too lazy to continue working on any more of my other songs atm. Maybe I'll do another two next year, or in 5 years time. Too busy playing all my favourite MMOs currently. Welfare life, video games all day everyday, been told more than 5 times in the past decade I never have to work again if I dont want to. Yay.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 15:59:19
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Bhav
Too busy playing all my favourite MMOs currently. Welfare life, video games all day everyday, been told more than 5 times in the past decade I never have to work again if I dont want to. Yay.
What's the story there then Bhav?
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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Mesh
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 16:04:56
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Bhav
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 17:09:39
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jamesg1213
Bhav
Too busy playing all my favourite MMOs currently. Welfare life, video games all day everyday, been told more than 5 times in the past decade I never have to work again if I dont want to. Yay.
What's the story there then Bhav?
Stuff. I did had a couple of jobs that ended with me being told I was too crap for them because of my health related problems. So I just say that in my health assessments and get free money.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Quest for the perfect melody
2017/04/13 17:16:59
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I see. I had 3 months on 'the dole' in 1980, complete with UB40. I didn't like it much.
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
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