Melody Writing – Part 4: 10 Great Melodies

There are just too many great melodies to pick from. None the less, I picked 10. These are guys that you can consider kung fu masters of melody. Like Mr. Miyagi says,

“Everything is Melody… I mean Kung Fu.”

1. Jules Massenet – Meditation from Thais

This is a beautiful piece that has such a memorable melody.

2. Joaquin Rodrigo – Concerto De Aranjuez

The very free melody from the guitar is contrasted with the tighter melodic lines in the orchestra. Brilliant!

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3. John Williams – The Last Crusade

I have to admit, I am a John Williams fan (the composer… and the guitarist above). He writes some of the most memorable music ever written. Once you hear the theme to Indiana Jones, you will want to jump on a horse, and find an artifact that BELONGS IN A MUSEUM!

4. John Williams – Schindler’s List

This is just a beautiful melody for the ages. Listen to the chord lines and the scale lines and how they work together.

5. Alan Silvestri – Forrest Gump Main Theme

Another film score. I always loved the simplicity and innocence of this main theme.

6. Gustav Mahler – Symphony 2, Mvt III

This is classic Mahler. The thing that really makes Mahler great for me is his ability to weave together a bunch of really great melodies into one coherent whole. Always clear, and always beautiful.

7. Claude Debussy – Claire De Lune

This is such a great piece it is hard to put into words. This is the version from Ocean’s 11, which I always liked.

8. Franz Schubert – Death and The Maiden

This one strikes you down to the marrow.

Part 1

Part 2

9. Edvard Grieg – In the Hall of the Mountain King

Pretty much all of the Peer Gynt Suite is great, but I love the deceptive simplicity of this one.

10. Mozart – Lacrimosa

I couldn’t end a discussion of great melodies without Mozart. Pretty much the man to beat, this is one of my favorite. The Lacrimosa from his Requiem in D Minor.