Folk melodies for melody instruments.

Okay, let's set aside folk BALLADS. In most of these, the story is the most important part, and the melody is usually pretty humdrum.

Let's also set aside folk DANCES. Here the rhythm takes precedence, for the dancers, and there might not even be any words.

I am chiefly a melody player, on various instruments, and I am not hearing very many really good melodies in "folk music".

Now I am going to mention some melodies as examples, and I REALIZE they are not REAL folk tunes, so don't bother blasting me about it,
O Folk Purists.

What I would consider a good melody is one that can stand on its own, WITHOUT accompaniment. I know that is a tough requirement! The rhythmic and harmonic framework should be apparent to the listener, from the melody alone.

Take "Shenandoah" (yes, it has words) as a good example. Or "Joe Hill". Play the single-line melody unaccompanied on trumpet, flute, or what-have-you. You can instantly *HEAR* the harmonic background. Then just add guitar.

To make the tune more interesting, it helps if there is a contrasting section. Here are some examples:

"Kathleen Mavourneen", "Old Man River", -- and dare I mention --"Danny Boy". The Irish seem to be good at this. At a quicker tempo, "After the Ball", "Dixie", or in a minor key, "Moscow Nights".

I probably haven't given this enough thought, but do you see what I'm getting at?
Of course if a tune has an interesting lyric along with it, so much the better!

Hoping to get some input on this ...

Love, Johnny in OKC