Anatomy of Melody

Overview

An explanation of how text and music are linked in the best melodies

Drawn from the world’s most beloved songs, the more than 70 examples in this book explore the history and crucial elements of melody, which is the very basis of song. Focusing solely on how simple musical lines combined with the right texts can make a catchy melodic phrase that lasts throughout the ages—without consideration of harmony, counterpoint or other constructs—this unique guide allows readers a new insight into the composition of songs.

Author Biography

Alice Parker is a composer who wrote her first orchestral score while still in high school. She has been commissioned by such groups as the Vancouver Chamber Chorus, the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, and Chanticleer, and is the founder of Melodious Accord, Inc., which has received generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Copland Foundation, and the New York State Council for the Arts. She lives in Hawley, Massachusetts.