Voice leading and counterpoint are easy. They are skills which can be learned. Harmonizing a melody, at least for me, is also easy. But--in the words of John Corigliano-- there is NOTHING more difficult than writing a beautiful melody.
Just my two cents.
Still, study voice leading and counterpoint if you haven't, lol.
Amazing Grace on Bagpipes is probably some of the most emotional music I've heard in my life... obviously there are some cultural influences there, but so what?? I don't hear a dying goose.