Melody

Melodic Composition and Text setting

1. If you go up you must come down and “fill in “the notes you skipped over
2. You can repeat the same thing twice but the 3rd time you must change it
3. You may have to add or delete words to get the rhythm of the melody to sound natural.
4. If you have a note being emphasized by a long duration in the voice you want to get some notes moving underneath it so everything doesn’t get stagnant.
5. Faster moving notes go to weak parts of the beat
6. Don’t use more than an octave leap usually
7. A leap within the same chord sounds more natural than leaping into a different harmony
8. You can create mystery by avoiding a certain note for a while and then using it.
9. What is the most distinctive impression you want to leave with the song and how can the melody help you create it? Especially, do you want more active rhythm and syncopation or more smooth, slower lyrics Think of the 2 common versions of Amazing Grace!
10. You can extend interest in a song by having contrasting sections and changing keys but most likely you will want to return to the original sound before closing up the song.
11. Listen to a song you like, how does it reach it’s dramatic climax? Are you surprised by all the repetition you hear?