Concept
Melody
Overview
succession that produces the continuity of the notes including changes in pitch and duration
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
I mean the simple tunes sung by a single voice. As this will appear paradoxical, I must explain my meaning. In common acceptation, indeed, only an agreeable _succession_ of sounds is called _Melody_, and only the _co-existence_ of agreeing sounds, _Harmony_. But, since the memory is capable of retaining for some moments a perfect idea of the pitch of a past sound, so as to compare with it the pitch of a succeeding…
Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin
States what Melody is; names Melody several times.
In the power of producing this effect consists the essential characteristic which distinguishes such melody from what is bad or indifferent. Harmony may enforce the effect of good melody, but without good melody the most skilful harmony can produce no effect which deserves the name {432} of expression; it can do little more than fatigue and confound the…
Adam Smith, The Essays of Adam Smith
Names Melody several times; states what Melody is.
My purpose to sing the melody must remain, in so far as the action is a conscious one, until the melody is sung. I say "as a function," for the specific content of this purpose is continuously changing. The purpose is certainly not the same in content after half the melody has been sung as it is at the beginning. This means that the purpose is being progressively fulfilled; and as part of the purpose is fulfilled…
John Dewey, Studies in Logical Theory
States what Melody is; names Melody several times.
Related ideas
Place in the tradition
Part of Aesthetics.