Before we can envisage a method for the classification of folk melodies, there are a number of points which need to be made clear. If we envisage each melody as something by itself, as an independent entity, there can be no satisfactory method of classification. A succession of notes, written approximately and taken out of the context of a particular musical language, has no meaning by itself and superficial similarities can be extremely misleading. The search for a classification already implies that there are types of melodies with common characteristics. In fact, we are always led to link a form of music with a particular culture. The folk music of a given cultural area will usually be nearer to the art music of the same culture than to the folk music of another culture. There may, however, be considerable overlapping between art music areas and folk music areas leading to a somewhat different geographical division.