Composition Course 18

LESSON 5: Once Assad upgraded his voicings, he explored

neighbor tones of the new top note to find a new

MELODIC melody. This result, written below, is much

more dynamic and interesting for the listener.
RANGE

Assad achieved this by adding a number

of wide leaps. Most notably, in the
second measure the melody leaps down
a sixth from C to E. The melody now
spans the range of an octave and a fifth
(A in the staff to high E). Notice also how
Assad displaces some of the
accompanying chords to add more
rhythm to the arrangement. 

Even while composing, be attentive to

the length of each note. Make sure that
the lengths you write are the lengths you
intend. Since the guitar often requires
that notes be attacked as well as stopped,
it’s important to know if notes should be
held out a certain length or cut early.
This is also important if the chords are
changing quickly. Notes from different
chords should never be held at the same
time unless it is done deliberately.
Composition Course 19

ASSIGNMENT #9

Using ideas from your earlier melody, write a new melody based on your
improved chord sequence. If you wish, you may write an entirely new
melody, as Assad does. If you’re in need of some inspiration, you can find an
example melody written over the Folia chord progression below.