Melody Making

By Justin Cruz
Where to Start.

 Get some examples!

 Think of some of your favorite songs!

 These can all be sources you can take from for inspiration.
Set the Scene

Set the following parameters before you begin to make it

easier.
 Tempo
 Key Signature (C, F, or G)
 Time Signature(4/4, or 3/4)
 How long (4 or 8 measures)
Start Big

All ideas start as larger over arching umbrella.

Think of “The Big Picture”
Start with whole notes as “Outline” for your melody.
Polish It!

 Make the whole notes smaller and make them half notes.
 Repeat the process again with half notes, and shorten them to
quarter notes, then to eighth notes.
 Then add space like quarter or eighth rests.
 Try to avoid leaps or really high jumps and think of using one step up
and down from other notes.
Hear it!

 You have to listen back to what you are creating.

 Sing it and play it back to yourself.
 If you don’t have a piano at home download a free piano app to
find your pitch.
 But above all else SING IT! Nothing bad comes from hearing what
you make, your favorite artist does it.