What is the difference between Harmony & Melody. Which stand out for you? Why?

Question

Sorry - I love music, but I am not educated in its theory, or its practice. Although I regret it now.

Answer 1

Harmony is like, when more than one person/instrument is singing/playing the same tune but at different pitches or two different tunes that mesh well together. Wiki quote "the use of different pitches simultaneously, and chords, actual or implied, in music."

Melody is the main tune in a song. That's really the only way I can think to describe. The tune that all other instruments follow. The base of the song.

I always notice harmonies. Normally when two people are singing together, but at different pitches, I get the shivers. As long as it's good. Always makes me happy to hear a great harmony.  

Answer 2

Melody is a single line of notes, what some people would call the "tune" or the "song" part of the music. Harmony is several notes played at the same time (usually 3 or more called chords) and can be very simple to very complex in sound and structure.  Many melodies are supported by harmony of some type (usually the other sounds you hear under the melody or in the background of the piece of music).

I am generally more attracted to an interesting melody when first listening to a composition.  However, an interesting harmonic progression can pull my attention from the melody especially if a chord or chords offer a fresh or surprising twist to the sound.

Musician, composer, teacher.

Answer 3

melody is the main music and harmony is the backround or like backup music its hard to explain

Answer 4

"Bearcat" responded with a more than adequate explanation. I would only add two comments: (1) the art of counterpoint; (2) composers comparative harmonic styles and techniques.

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(1) counterpoint: quoted from "Dictionary.com".

music: "the art of combining melodies".

music: "the texture resulting from the combining of individual melodic lines".

     J.S. Bach is generally considered to be the supreme master of this art form: J=Johann/S=Sebastian.  He had sons which themselves were note-worthy composers, so one always has to make the distinction between "which" Bach is being referred to.

     A wonderful example of his mastery of this art form - though I'm sure many would choose another - is his "Passacaglia and Fugue in C-minor" for organ.

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(2) composers comparative harmonic styles and techniques; recommendations for listening:

W.A. Mozart: "Symphony #-40 in G-minor".

Hector Berlioz: "Roman Carnival Overture".

Richard Wagner: "The Ride of the Valkyries".

Maurice Ravel: "Daphnis and Chloe" suite #-2, from his ballet.

Igor Stravinsky: "Rites of Spring", ballet.

     All of the above each have very distinct styles of harmonic structure: each, easily recognizably different from that of the others.  I would imagine you can listen to them all on You Tube.

                                               Alberich