Simplicity

Some people may think that simplicity in music is a negative thing. That if a melody is simple, it's almost a derogatory term. I don't agree with this. To me, simplicity can be an asset instead of a disadvantage. My "inspirator" Rolf Løvland appears to feel the same way about it. He wrote in the description to one of his melodies, 'Ode to Simplicity':

«This song expresses everything I think is important to my music: simplicity. To allow melody to be naked and fragile, one that can't be wrapped or covered is a very difficult thing. It requires more courage and strength to achieve the simple than the complex, as you painfully have to submit to the powers of nature, and open up.»

It is, contrary to what many believe, not necessarily «simple» to write a «simple» melody. There are of course limits, you don't need to be Mozart to write something like 'Itsy Bitsy Spider,' but a simple melody done in a tasteful, sophisticated way is not as easy as one might think. It would be easier for me to just throw out a great number of «meaningless» notes and call it a melody – and some people seem to work like that – than it is to strip away everything that does not need to be there and be left with a direct and clear melody that gives an immediate sense of recognition and meaning.