Melody writing 3 - using a MOTIF

A motif is a small melodic fragment. It can be a great way of developing melodies that hang together and have a feeling of unity, as the ideas all come from a single simple phrase.

The example below develops on from the example illustrated in the blog post on using an OUTLINE.


Melody Writing 3 (Motif) GCSE
Here is how this melody might sound when played on guitar..
MOTIF melody by SBS Music Tech

YOUR TASK
Your task today is to compose a melody using a motif. You will work in pairs and do the following:
CREATE A NEW GARAGEBAND PROJECT CALLED MOTIF MELODY
1. Create a simple melodic motif (only a few notes long)
2. Person A writes a one bar melody using the motif
3. Person B writes a the next bar of melody, developing the motif.
4. Person A writes the next bar of melody further developing the melody
5. Person B finishes the four bars of melody line.


Once you have done this then write another melodic motif and develop another four bars of melody, using the pass-it-on method as above..

Melody writing 2 - using outlines

Another approach to melody writing is to use an outline. In this approach you decide on really important notes that fit with chord changes and then fill in the space around them to create a melodic phrase that you like. Take a look at the example below:
Melody Writing 2 (Outline) GCSE Yr 10 Unit 4

This is what it could sound like, the melody line is being played on guitar..
Outline Melody by SBS Music Tech

Writing Melody Lines

Writing melodies is often the aspect of composing that the new composer finds a challenge. For some people melody lines just appear in their musical minds and the process is very "natural", for most of us though writing effective melodies involves a bit of brain power too..

The sheet below outlines the keys of C major and A minor (and their relevant pentatonic friends). This is a good place to start writing melodies from. Largely because we can avoid those troublesome black note on the keyboard.

Here is a great example of a simple but effective melody. Great use of rhythm here..

Remember most melodies, like this one are a collection of short phrases that are repeated and then slightly changed. Wonderwall has a two bar phrase that is repeated (with different words) and then develops into a slightly higher range to finish off the first half of the verse melody - this is a very common melodic structure in songwriting.

Melody Writing 1

Time Signatures and Key Signatures

Time Signatures and Key Signatures.

Hello music lovers. Here is this week's listening work.

Click on this link to time signatures. Look at the videos and try to understand what is being explained. Some will not have to watch all the videos.

Then, key signatures.

The questions focus on both of these areas of musical knowledge. The questions will challenge you.

Complete this and click on submit!!!

Riffs

So what exactly is a riff? We can all recognise the sound of a riff, but how to describe them...well the clearest description I've found is "is a short (usually repeating) phrase of music".
Here's a few examples you might have heard...

Here's a couple of more funky examples...

So where to start when writing your own riffs?

• KEEP IT SIMPLE! The most effective riffs work because they are memorable, this is largely because they are simple and rhythm based. Many use a small range of notes but with a funky, syncopated rhythm.
• Many riffs use no more than three or four notes, but often create variety and interest by using big interval jumps i.e. an octave.
• Many riffs are based on scales commonly the: 
• minor pentatonic i.e. A minor pentatonic is A, C, D, E, G
• natural minor i.e. A natural minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G 
• "modes" (scales based on the major scale) are also used, two common types are:
• D Dorian is D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
• G Mixolydian is G, A, B, C, D, E, F.

Chord progression in E minor - Bassline task

Here is the chord progression for your bassline task. Bear in mind a couple of bassline guidelines:

• ROOT NOTES - will always work to underpin a chord sequence
• OCTAVES - above or below the root - for variety
• FIFTHS - can also work effectively, i.e. if the chord is Em (E minor), the chord tones are E G B, so using E and B can work well
• RHYTHM - always follow the inherent rhythm of your drum groove, if unsure one surefire approach is to keep the kick drum part and your bass line locked in together.

Bassline Chord Progression in E Minor

Chord progressions

Here are two chord progressions, one in C major the other in A minor. Your job today is to create harmony parts using the given chords. You must use a mixture of block chords and broken chords.

Chord Progression in C Maj & a Min