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Getting started on writing a melody can be really hard. If you are stuck, try the following approach:

• Choose a two-bar chord progression, using the chord patterns outlined below
• Write a simple accompaniment so you can then try different melodic ideas over it
• Think of the opening melody as a gesture. You need:
  • A simple rhythmic idea which has some interest (e.g. a dotted rhythm or a pattern such as two quavers and a crotchet)
  • Some articulation (e.g. two slurred notes followed by two staccato)
  • A dynamic (is it quiet and gentle or loud and bold?)
• In tems of notes, if you don’t know where to begin, start with a simple tonic arpeggio and then decorate by filling in with passing notes or adding an auxiliary (only use standard dissonances)
• keep rhythms simple but include something memorable (e.g. a dotted rhythm or a quaver-two-semiquaver pattern)

If you are stuck trying to use the computer, can you sing or play a melody over the chords to give you ideas?

 

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Choose a Chord Sequence

Here are some simple chords . 

I I – V I- IV I – V – I  I – IV I – vi – IV I-vii6-I

Look at and listen to some examples of ideas based on these chords More ideas for harmonic progressions HERE For a period the NEXT two bars are going to be an imperfect cadence. The most obvious patterns are ii – V or I – V. Most of the progressions on the left will lead to this progression satisfactorily.

Choose Tempo, Metre, Key etc.

Don’t just go for the defaults of 4/4, mm = 100, C major and no articulation or dynamics or your melody will end up being really boring!

Use the table below to help you choose some more interesting options. You can pick a combination or time signature, tempo and key signature. The last column offers some common patterns of rhythm or articulation that you might incorporate alongside simpler rhythms.

Time signatures	Tempi	Key	Gestures
6/8	Presto (mm. 176)	D major	A dotted rhythm
2/2	Adagio (mm. 66)	G minor	Three staccato crotchets
3/4	Allegretto (mm. 120)	Bb major	A legato triplet
2/4	Andante (mm. 84)	F major	Two slurred notes followed by a staccato note
4/4	Allegro vivace (mm. 144)	B minor	Staccato quaver followed by two slurred semiquavers