Melody writing i

C

We are going to begin by exploring writing DIATONIC melodies, melodies written "within"the given key. Below are the keys of C major and its relative minor A minor. These are agood starting point on the keyboard - only white notes!

Often starting with a rhythm for your melody line can help, sometimes lyrics can bea useful help as they often strongly suggest a certain rhythm. If you don't have lyricsyou could try inventing a short phrase to start from as the rhythm for your mleody..

Melody writing can be a bit daunting if melodies don't just float around in your musical brain..However, follow some simple guidlines and you can't go far wrong. Once you've got an initial idea you will often find that ideas will then follow naturally.

The notes in RED are notes from the C major pentatonic scale

Below are all the notes within the key of C major..

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

A

The notes in RED are notes from the A minor pentatonic scale

Below are all the notes within the key of A minor..

B

C

D

E

F

G

A

Using chord tones (notes from the current chord) is a safe way to start.i.e. if your chord is C major - using either C, E, G will always "sit" well with the chord.

C

You could then other notes from within the scale (in this case C major) to add interest:

C