Do you find atonal music melodic?

[Maciek]

A "little" something indeed.

[Gustav]

isn't melody independent of Tonality? So,  isn't it a rather pointless asking this question? The answers you get can only be the product of generalizations. It's very hard to answer a question that is so vague.

[Gustav]

To me it is like abstract expressionism in painting, you cannot immediately tell what you are looking at, some thought and emotion must be involved in order to comprehend, or even enjoy it. 

What do you think?

P.S. If you have any relatively accessible atonal music, please recommend it. Thanks.

You are either a tonalist, or an atonalist. As Stephen Colbert would say: "Pick a side! We are at war here!"

[karlhenning]

Quick question: Is Dr. Henning tonal? 

At times 

[jochanaan]

You are either a tonalist, or an atonalist. As Stephen Colbert would say: "Pick a side! We are at war here!"

Whatever for?  I enjoy both types, and have written both tonal and atonal music.  Sometimes I even improvise atonally.

As for the OP's question: Sometimes.  But melody is not all I look for in great music.

      You can't usually figure out why something isn't music...

Or why it's music for some but not others.

[imperfection]

You are either a tonalist, or an atonalist. As Stephen Colbert would say: "Pick a side! We are at war here!"

That's just black & white, good & evil thinking. There's much more to things than that. Just like jochanaan, I enjoy both types. You have got to be pretty narrow minded if you just stick to one side and dismiss the other without knowing what's really going on.

[Kullervo]

That's just black & white, good & evil thinking. There's much more to things than that. Just like jochanaan, I enjoy both types. You have got to be pretty narrow minded if you just stick to one side and dismiss the other without knowing what's really going on.

I think he was joking.

[imperfection]

I think he was joking.

I think he wasn't.

[Joe_Campbell]

I think if Stephen Colbert is used in an analogy, the chances are high that the comment is mildly satirical.

[Gustav]

I think if Stephen Colbert is used in an analogy, the chances are high that the comment is mildly satirical.

But, does he even know who Stephen Colbert is? I doubt it, it's frustrating to make a joke when people don't get it.

[Gustav]

I think he wasn't.

I think you need to watch more Comedy Central. Wait, maybe not, it's way pass your bedtime.

[imperfection]

I think you need to watch more Comedy Central. Wait, maybe not, it's way pass your bedtime.

Or maybe I just don't enjoy crude, low-life slapstick humour that appeals to masses like you. Sorry for actually having standards in my entertainment, I really am.

[Gustav]

I just don't enjoy crude, low-life slapstick humour that appeals to masses like you. Sorry for being educated, I really am.

ooooo...This coming out of a kid barely out of high school. Right, I must be really wasting my time at my university because i do enjoy Stephen Colbert. What about Bill Maher? Is his humor also slapstick? Is he also a 'lowlife"? What about John Stewart?
I don't know how "educated" you are, I wouldn't brag about a high school diploma in front of everyone. Simply because the people you are talking to, just might have an extra few years more of schooling than you.

that said, kid, you have some growing up to do. But, at age 17 and still behaving immaturely is alarming indeed!

[imperfection]

ooooo...This coming out of a kid barely out of high school. Right, I must be really wasting my time at my university because i do enjoy Stephen Colbert. What about Bill Maher? Is his humor also slapstick? Is he also a 'lowlife"? What about John Stewart?
I don't know how "educated" you are, I wouldn't brag about a high school diploma in front of everyone. Simply because the people you are talking to, just might have an extra few years more of schooling than you.

that said, kid, you have some growing up to do. But, at age 17 and still behaving immaturely is alarming indeed!

You know, it doesn't matter how much schooling I have ever got, apparently not as much as you as you are in university and I'm still in high school. The point is that you enjoy tasteless, pointless and downright offensive TV shows like South Park (which is on Comedy Central) as education. You have some maturing to do too, perhaps. You are just as tasteless and boring as a chipmunk. Your Intelligence Quotient? That of your shoe size's, probably. You couldn't even answer a question as simple as "Do you find atonal music melodic?" and that is apparently your problem, as all other members have contributed to this thread, except for you, who are just a no life troll who derails people's threads for no reason.

But, being a university student and still watching kids' TV shows is alarming indeed!

[Joe_Campbell]

Your Intelligence Quotient? That of your shoe size's, probably. 

Is that still funny?

[imperfection]

Is that still funny?

He probably finds it funny, given his maturity (or lack thereof).

OTOH, if mods find this thread is reaching its end of  productivity, feel free to close it. I have already learned enough from many members who actually posted their thoughts and even educative sources like videos anyway.

[Joe_Campbell]

I don't think this thread should be closed. I'm sure there are still some members who would like to give their thoughts on the matter.

My answer is this:
Melody is not dependant on tonality. Both tonal and atonal music can have/not have a melody.

[Symphonien]

And in a completely different vein: Schnittke or Pawel Szymanski.

indeed and these are two of my favourite composers. But the music of these two composers is often a combination of tonality and atonality. I think this is something people still tend to forget... from the 20th century onwards there is often no clear boundary between the two. Composers like Schnittke and Szymanski have juxtaposed the two side by side, as well as created music that incorporates elements of both and cannot be defined either way.

[Symphonien]

The point is that you enjoy tasteless, pointless and downright offensive TV shows like South Park ... But, being a university student and still watching kids' TV shows is alarming indeed!

I would vehemently disagree here with your description and categorisation of South Park and I'm sure plenty of others would too. I would most certainly not label it a "kid's show" and in my view it often presents a clever satiric commentary on relevant current issues. But if you respond with such ad hominem personal attacks to one stating that what they said was a joke, then maybe you don't have a sense of humour at all.

On a more relevant note, what atonal composers or works have you heard and enjoyed so far? You mentioned that you enjoy both tonal and atonal music.

[Kullervo]

Or maybe I just don't enjoy crude, low-life slapstick humour that appeals to masses like you.

I certainly wouldn't mind if there were masses like me.