Learn to improvise. 2003-2004. Lesson 27: elements of a melody.

How do you create a melody? Sometimes it's just in your head. It may be originated by something you have heard or invented yourself. You can use that as a starting point to improvise. You also can take a nice piece of melody from an existing composition and work this out. Another method is to start with the characteristics of an instrument. Think of the melodies which are originated from the use of the black keys of the piano or of the chromatics of a guitar. A very special instrument is the human voice! If you use your voice to get an idea for a melody you will easily come to one which reaches the hearts of the people.

It is useful for improvisation to know a number of elements having a particular effect. Here are some examples.

-Chords may be a start for a melody.
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-A repetition of every note like little sobs may express emotion.
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-Taking the highest note of a broken chord too high and then going back gives an effect of passion.
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-Postponing a solution increases the tension.
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-The most important element in a melody is the repetition of a figure. It may be very expressive, especially when the right accents are used.
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-Another emphatic effect occurs when a note is repeated many times.
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-Or when a note is used alternately with another one.
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-A satisfactory closing may be introduced by a thrill.
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-Alternately large intervals suggest two melodies mixed.
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-Pieces of a scale give a natural effect.
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-Chromatic notes give tension.
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-A melody may be built on a chord scheme.
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-A broken chord over several octaves and with forefalls is typically instrumental.
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-For instrumental melodies the length of the notes is determined by the rhythm (e.g. dance music). -For song melodies the length of the notes may be determined by thinking of words and sentences. -This way you automatically will not have too many notes without any meaning. -Emphases animate the melody. E.g. if you have a melody for the words: "Come to me, come to me, come to me, if you can", an emphasis on the words 'me' enlivens the music.
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-Melodies often are built in parts of sentences, like question and answer. This gives a telling structure.
-Modulations in the harmonic flow are important moments for the melody. The melody must be simple then to leave room for the effect of the modulation.
-The melody may be ahead of the harmony (or opposite). This anticipation gives an interesting tension.
-A repetition may be as an echo.
-A forefall may pay attention to the note that follows.

Music theory usually pays more attention to harmony than to melody. This is understandable as it is easier to hear the structure of a melody than of a chord.

The remarkable phenomenon that the most moving music is made by people who can't explain what they are doing, perhaps is caused by the fact the subconscious is larger than the consciousness. This may be a lesson to try to learn to play unaware of what we are doing. To learn that we must play very often, very playful and subtly listening.

HOMEWORK: Invent more tricks for melodies. Make during the coming break for months a timetable for for yourself to play and let it be the happiest moments of the days.

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