One of the most satisfying shapes for a melody is ABA or MBA. Listen to the opening of the second movement of Dvorak's Symphony From the New World:
Some of the melody is based on the notes of the following pentatonic (five note) scale:
Dvorak chose this scale because it was used in many of the spirituals (religious songs sung by slaves in the deep south of America) at that time. He thought that if his melody sounded like a spiritual, he would put some of the feeling of the 'New World' into his music. Follow the melody printed below and then answer the questions.