Fretwise

Chapter 11

Writing Melodies

A melody isn't a scale played top to bottom. Learn the principles — contour, motif, tension, resolution — that make a tune memorable.

You already hum melodies all day. Writing one down is just learning to listen to your own brain. But there are principles — contour, motif development, tension and release, rhythmic interest — that the great melodies share.

In this chapter we’ll dissect what makes a melody catchy, how to develop a single motif into a full melody, how to use scale tones vs chord tones, and how to write melodies for a chord progression instead of over one.

Lessons in this chapter

  1. 1 Principles of a good melody Five things every memorable melody has — and how to put them in your own.
  2. 2 Motif development How to turn a 3-note idea into a full melody. The same techniques classical composers and pop songwriters both use.
  3. 3 Writing melody over a chord progression A systematic approach to placing notes on each chord so the melody and harmony reinforce each other.