Chapter 5, The Four Elements of Music; II. Melody Summary and Analysis

The author states that melody ranks the second in musical importance after rhythm. While rhythm may be connected to the imagination through physical motion, melody is more likely to be associated with mental emotion. As with rhythm, the effect of melody creates a mysterious effect upon the listener. As important as melody is to a piece of music, even the greatest composers cannot say with certainty exactly what would constitute a good melody.

Most people believe that regardless of their training or lack thereof, they have the ability to recognize a good melody. This leads the author to believe that there must be some existing criteria for a good melody, even if the criteria are unconscious in nature.

As an example of how melody tends to stick...