--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A melody is not merely something you can…" description: "\"A melody is not merely something you can hum.\" — Aaron Copland" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg" --- # A melody is not merely something you can hum. ![“A melody is not merely something you can hum.” quote by Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg) > “A melody is not merely something you can hum.” [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A melody is more than a simple tune; it embodies deeper artistic expression. **In simple terms:** Melodies carry deeper meaning beyond humming. Key Takeaway Seek depth in musical creation. Themes music melody artistry expression Mood reflective creative Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - composition classes - songwriting sessions - film scoring Key Concepts musical structure emotional conveyance theory Questions to Reflect On - How does a melody convey emotion? - What elements complement a strong melody? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on melody may neglect rhythm or harmony. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Melody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [“I love you beyond paint, beyond melodies, beyond words. And I hope you will always feel that, even when I'm not around to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/i-love-you-beyond-paint-beyond-melodies-beyond-words-and-i-hope-you/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [I am moved more by melodies, song structure, and evocative textures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/i-am-moved-more-by-melodies-song-structure-and-evocative-textures/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [I think I need the demons in order to write, but the demons have gone. It bothers me a lot. I've tried and tried,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wilson/i-think-i-need-the-demons-in-order-to-write-but-the-demons-have-gone/) [Brian Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wilson/) > [When I first started making music, it was learning other people's songs and putting them onto four-track. Like Beatles songs and stuff. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/when-i-first-started-making-music-it-was-learning-other-people-s/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [In old age our bodies are worn-out instruments, on which the soul tries in vain to play the melodies of youth. But because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/in-old-age-our-bodies-are-worn-out-instruments-on-which-the-soul/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [There were people who incorporated melody before me, but I would deem myself the first person to successfully rap and sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/there-were-people-who-incorporated-melody-before-me-but-i-would-deem/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Some minds corrode and grow inactive under the loss of personal liberty; others grow morbid and irritable; but it is the nature of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/some-minds-corrode-and-grow-inactive-under-the-loss-of-personal/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [I have to declare in all candor that no one interested in being published in our time can afford to be so naive as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-curtis/i-have-to-declare-in-all-candor-that-no-one-interested-in-being/) [Richard Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-curtis/) > [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. 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My answer would be, "Yes", And "Can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/the-whole-problem-can-be-stated-quite-simply-by-asking-is-there-a/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [“As a matter of fact, no one is more tiresome than the person who can understand only realism in art. It shows a rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/as-a-matter-of-fact-no-one-is-more-tiresome-than-the-person-who-can/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [“Whatever comes under the heading of fugal form partakes in some way of the nature of a fugue. You already know, I feel sure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/whatever-comes-under-the-heading-of-fugal-form-partakes-in-some-way/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [“Every symphony, for example, is a sonata for orchestra; every string quartet is a sonata for four strings; every concerto a sonata for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/every-symphony-for-example-is-a-sonata-for-orchestra-every-string/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Most people use music as a couch; they want to be pillowed on it, relaxed and consoled for the stress of daily living. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/most-people-use-music-as-a-couch-they-want-to-be-pillowed-on-it/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Someone once asked me... whether I waited for inspiration. My answer was: "Every day!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/someone-once-asked-me-whether-i-waited-for-inspiration-my-answer-was/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of sub-consciousnessóI wouldnít know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/inspiration-may-be-a-form-of-super-consciousness-or-perhaps-of-sub/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [The greatest moments of the human spirit may be deduced from the greatest moments in music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/the-greatest-moments-of-the-human-spirit-may-be-deduced-from-the/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/to-stop-the-flow-of-music-would-be-like-the-stopping-of-time-itself/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Composers tend to assume that everyone loves music. Surprisingly enough, everyone doesn’t.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/composers-tend-to-assume-that-everyone-loves-music-surprisingly/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Music that is born complex is not inherently better or worse than music that is born simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/music-that-is-born-complex-is-not-inherently-better-or-worse-than/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [A great symphony is a man-made Mississippi down which we irresistibly flow from the instant of our leave-taking to a long forseen destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/a-great-symphony-is-a-man-made-mississippi-down-which-we-irresistibly/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [This whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, “Is there a meaning to music?” My answer to that would be, “Yes.” And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/this-whole-problem-can-be-stated-quite-simply-by-asking-is-there-a/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) > [Is there a meaning to music? Yes. Can you state in so many words what the meaning is? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/is-there-a-meaning-to-music-yes-can-you-state-in-so-many-words-what/) [Aaron Copland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) [Explore all 42 Aaron Copland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/) ## More Melody quotes > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [Some minds corrode and grow inactive under the loss of personal liberty; others grow morbid and irritable; but it is the nature of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/some-minds-corrode-and-grow-inactive-under-the-loss-of-personal/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [I am moved more by melodies, song structure, and evocative textures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/i-am-moved-more-by-melodies-song-structure-and-evocative-textures/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [I think I need the demons in order to write, but the demons have gone. It bothers me a lot. I've tried and tried,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wilson/i-think-i-need-the-demons-in-order-to-write-but-the-demons-have-gone/) [Brian Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wilson/) > [When I first started making music, it was learning other people's songs and putting them onto four-track. Like Beatles songs and stuff. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/when-i-first-started-making-music-it-was-learning-other-people-s/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [There were people who incorporated melody before me, but I would deem myself the first person to successfully rap and sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/there-were-people-who-incorporated-melody-before-me-but-i-would-deem/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [In old age our bodies are worn-out instruments, on which the soul tries in vain to play the melodies of youth. But because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/in-old-age-our-bodies-are-worn-out-instruments-on-which-the-soul/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“I love you beyond paint, beyond melodies, beyond words. And I hope you will always feel that, even when I'm not around to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/i-love-you-beyond-paint-beyond-melodies-beyond-words-and-i-hope-you/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [My plea therefore is this: Let us get our instruments tightly strung and our melodies sweetly sung. Let us not die with our music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/my-plea-therefore-is-this-let-us-get-our-instruments-tightly-strung/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [A well trained body is a beautiful instrument on which to play the melody of the present moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-yee/a-well-trained-body-is-a-beautiful-instrument-on-which-to-play-the/) [Rodney Yee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-yee/) > [If you're going to start with melody you'll need some tympani, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-krupa/if-you-re-going-to-start-with-melody-you-ll-need-some-tympani-i-think/) [Gene Krupa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-krupa/) > [“Some people look like they sound better than they actually sound, because they look confident and have good posture," once musician, a veteran of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/some-people-look-like-they-sound-better-than-they-actually-sound/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [A thrumming of piano-strings beyond the gardens and through the elms. At length the melody steals into my being. I know not when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-thrumming-of-piano-strings-beyond-the-gardens-and-through-the-elms/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 1,170 Melody quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A melody is not merely something you can hum.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aaron Copland" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can-hum/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Melody" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can-hum/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60e/aaron-copland-15785_melody_a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can_3104277.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A melody is not merely something you can hum.” — Aaron Copland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aaron Copland", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-copland/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A melody is not merely something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can-hum/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-copland/a-melody-is-not-merely-something-you-can-hum/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```