Beginner Q: Do you need a melody?

[HorNet505]

When you listen to pop music and classical music, most cases there is a recognisable melody.
Is it wrong to write classical music without a clear recognisable melody?
...

There are mnany approaches for a composition.
Melody is the easiest I think.
You could also base a composition on rhythm only.
As well, and this is the trickiest and most interesting part, the orchestral or sonic colour. Creating new combination of sounds etc.

[anti206]

[Veridian]

I think all music has melody! I think that everything in the world has a song for itself. I do think however, that although not everything is recognizable, there is still a melody to it. I mean, sound comes from any vibration. So even though people don't think that an augmented fourth or something as dissonant as that is very melodic (I like that sound, though) it can still form a part of a very strong, or very subtle melody.

For example, ominous music that plays in the background. That does not have too much melody most of the time if it is trying to describe a very quiet and still place (doesn't have too, interpretations on quiet and still vary).

Anyways, I say that don't worry about having a distinctive melody all the time! What works, works!

[Michael135]

You don't need anything that's definable as "melody" in music. However, it does tend to make it more interesting. Some of the greatest music ever written uses some form of melody or another.

[andrewd]

I am a latecomer to this site but I am very interested in your question as it introduces a subject I am quite passionate about, and I would like to offer my comments.

First, my initial reaction to your question is that a composer should write music that he/she will enjoy listening to, and if you enjoy listening to melodic music then the answer is: Yes. Just be aware, there are many in the classical world who have a total disdain for melody in contemporary music. So my second piece of advice is to ignore discouragement from such people.

However there are many different genres of music, not all of them based on melody, or the absence of melody. A favourite of mine is music based on harmony, of which there are many examples, especially in sacred choral music by Bach, Hayden, Mozart and Berlioz. Then there is music based on rhythmic forms. (In other words, lots of percussion!) In New Zealand we have two composers who have composed several such works. Our most famous is John Psathas who composed View from Olympus, and wrote all the opening fanfares and other music for the Greek Olympics. Gareth Farr’s From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs is also a well-know piece in New Zealand. Other musical genres include electronic, cross-over, atonal and so on.

The choice is yours, but above all remain true to yourself. If you try to compose music that you don’t enjoy, it will be a penance for you and probably not very enjoyable for others. Good luck!

[P.T.]

You can use melody or not.
Debussy mostly used sound colors and feelings. Many of his pieces are fragments joined together.

Beethoven wrote the 5th around a 4 note fragment.
The 5th isn't great because of that melodic fragment, but because of all the variations he created around it and because of what the rest of the writing is doing around that fragment.

People like melody, but most melodies are not anything special. It's what supports that melody and what else is going on in the piece that makes the substance of the work.

[jeckyrayen]

I think melody is the good part of the music. I like Melody and I think it is not that much hard . you have to try. Anyway here many people give advice you about Melody free composition.