A melody is a sequence of musical notes that flow together to create a tune you can sing, hum, or remember. When you hear a song and find yourself humming it hours later, you're humming the melody. It's the main musical line that stands out, the part that makes a song recognizable and gives it its identity.

Think of a melody as a musical sentence. Just as words in a sentence connect to express an idea, notes in a melody connect to create a musical thought. “Happy Birthday” has a melody everyone knows: those specific notes in that specific order create the tune we all sing. Change the notes or their order, and you'd have a different melody entirely.

In an orchestra or band, many instruments might play at once, but the melody is usually the part your ear naturally follows. The violin section might play the melody while other instruments provide harmony and rhythm. In a choir, one group of singers often carries the melody while others sing supporting parts.

The word melodic describes something that has a pleasant, flowing tune. A melodious voice sounds musical and easy to listen to. Musicians sometimes say a piece has a “strong melody” when the tune is memorable and emotionally powerful, or a “weak melody” when it feels forgettable or doesn't flow naturally.