Melodies: meaning, definitions and examples

Melodies usually refer to the main sequence of notes in a piece of music that is musically satisfying and easy to remember. They are often used when talking about memorable parts of songs.

• The melodies in this album are really catchy.
• She can create beautiful melodies on her piano.

Tunes can refer to simple, memorable sequences of musical notes, similar to melodies, but often used in a more informal context. Use this word when talking about catchy or popular music.

• That's a catchy tune!
• We spent the evening humming our favorite tunes.

Harmonies refer to the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce a pleasing effect. Use this word when describing the overall sound created by multiple notes.

• The choir's harmonies were perfect.
• He loves the rich harmonies in classical music.

Musical notes are the symbols used in written music to represent the pitch and duration of a sound. They are more technical and general, often used in music education or when talking about the structure of music.

• He taught me how to read musical notes.
• The sheet music is filled with musical notes.

Used to describe the sequence of musical notes that are pleasing to the ear. It is intangible and often refers to the tuneful aspect of music.

• The composer's melodies are touching and unforgettable.
• She hummed a beautiful melody while she worked.

Refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words, often used in both music and speech. It also denotes a specific ending of a musical phrase.

• The cadence of his speech was calming.
• In poetry, the cadence can emphasize the emotion of the words.

Relates to the pattern of beats or a strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound. It can be used to describe not only music but also other repeated, organized activities.

• The rhythm of the drums was captivating.
• To improve his running, he worked on his rhythm and pacing.

Pertains to the smooth and uninterrupted progress or movement in music or speech. It can describe how seamlessly things proceed without abrupt changes.

• The flow of the song makes it very relaxing to listen to.
• Her flow in the rap performance was outstanding.

Refers to a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single entity, usually in music. It's often used when talking about creating, playing, or enjoying music.

• The composer created beautiful melodies for the film score.
• Her voice soared above the melodies of the orchestra.

Pertains to the rise and fall in the pitch of the voice while speaking, important for conveying meaning and emotion in spoken language. It's frequently discussed in language and communication studies.

• Good intonation is essential for clear communication in any language.
• The teacher corrected the student's intonation to improve his pronunciation.

Relates to the modulation of the pitch or tone of the voice, often used in linguistics or communication. It reflects changes in pitch to indicate things like questions or emotions.

• Her voice had a curious inflection when she asked the question.
• Adding the correct inflection can make a huge difference in how you express meaning.

Used to describe the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words, often in poetry or speech. It may also refer to the end of a phrase in music with a sense of resolution.

• The cadence of his speech was captivating and kept the audience engaged.
• The song ends with a perfect cadence.