In an effort to reawaken our intrinsic desire to hear a beautiful, sweeping musical phrase, Alice Parker introduces what may become the most important work on melody to date. Artfully written and infused with her passion for music, The Anatomy of Melody endeavors to take us back to the very basis of song.

This book explores the history of melody, its elements, regional differences in performance, and each tune’s primary function in music and in our lives. The Anatomy of Melody provides copious examples of some of the most beloved and well-known melodies of the Western world.

The sage words of Alice Parker resonate with the importance of this work: “When our ears and voices connect in song, it makes possible a transcendental moment that releases us from our human limitations. Let’s find our way to melody again.”