What is a melody?

Extension question

Listen to James explain the way that a melody and harmony are like a story and its context in Exercise 1.

For example:

• Roger was climbing the hill.

• It was really hard and he wanted to stop.

• But he knew no matter what, he had to go on.

• Because if he didn’t get to the top in time, all would be lost.

James describes 2 different contexts for this story. Imagine another context for this story – how would this change the impact of the story?

Watch Lesson 1 – Exercise 2

Listen to the one-note melody which James plays on the piano, then listen as James adds harmony.

Answer the following questions:

• What effect did the addition of the first harmony have on the sound of the melody? How did it make you feel? What do you think contributed to your response?

• What effect did the addition of the second harmony have on the sound of the melody? How did it make you feel? What do you think contributed your response?

Compose your own 4-line story using James' story as a guide:

• Statement 1: Roger was climbing the hill.

• Statement 2: It was really hard and he wanted to stop.

• Statement 3: But he knew no matter what, he had to go on.

• Statement 4: Because if he didn’t get to the top in time, all would be lost.

Remember James’s tip:

• Each statement must depend on and follow on from each other.