Writing a progression and a melody

Writing your own music uses everything you already know: a key, a progression from numerals, a melody built on the scale, and a review of what you recorded. This lesson walks you through writing sixteen bars, step by step, and then listening critically.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Choose a key and a progression and loop it.
• Write a melody over it that uses chord tones on strong beats.
• Record and review a performance with a simple checklist.

Writing music works best with constraints. Choose a few decisions first, and the rest is easier.

1. Choose a key and a progression. Pick a key you can play in comfortably, such as G. Pick a numerals pattern: I V vi IV (hopeful), vi IV I V (more yearning), or I vi IV V (nostalgic). Write the chords for your key. Four chords for four bars each makes sixteen bars.

2. Write a melody from the scale. Use the major scale or the minor pentatonic. Write in phrases: a question phrase of four bars, and an answer of four bars. The melody sits better when the notes on the strong beats (the first beat of a bar) are chord tones: the root, third or fifth of the chord of that bar. Use the other scale notes as passing notes in between.

3. Record and review. Record yourself once through. Then listen, and write three things down: what works, what is unsteady, and one thing to change. A review that is specific is useful; a review that says "it is bad" is not.

The goal is not a great song. It is a finished piece you can play and improve.

Three progressions in G (from the reference library):

• I V vi IV: G, D, Em, C
• vi IV I V: Em, C, G, D
• I vi IV V: G, Em, C, D

e|-------------|----------|
B|------3--5--3|----------|
G|---4---------|--4--2----|
D|-------------|--------5-|
A|-------------|----------|
E|-------------|----------|

Sixteen bars, step by step.

1. Key of G. Progression I V vi IV: G, D, Em, C.
2. Loop the chords for a minute until the changes are steady.
3. Hum a melody over the loop. Find the first note on the guitar. Choose something from G, B or D for bar 1: they are tones of the G chord.
4. Write four bars (a question that ends on A or B), then four bars (an answer that ends on G).
5. Play the 8-bar melody twice for sixteen bars. Record it.
6. Listen. Write: "The change from D to Em wobbles. The melody in bar 5 is good. Change the ending of the question."

Fix one thing and record again. Compare.

Do these in order. Each one is small. Tick the ones you have practised.

• 1.Choose and loop a progression

  4 min · 70 → 90 BPM

  1. Choose a key, for example G.
  2. Choose a numerals pattern: I V vi IV, or vi IV I V, or I vi IV V.
  3. Write the chords for your key, then play them four beats each, looping for two minutes.

  You have it when

  • You can play your chosen progression for two minutes without stopping.
  I practised this one

• 2.Write a melody

  5 min

  1. Use the major scale (or minor pentatonic) of your key.
  2. Write a four-bar question phrase and a four-bar answer phrase.
  3. On the first beat of each bar, use a note that belongs to the chord of that bar (root, third or fifth).
  4. Play it over your progression and change any notes that clash.

  You have it when

  • You have an eight-bar melody that fits the progression.
  I practised this one

• 3.Record and review

  5 min

  1. Record yourself playing the chords and the melody once through (two passes make sixteen bars).
  2. Listen back and note three things: what works, what is unsteady, and one thing to change.
  3. Write them in your journal.
  4. Play it again with that change.

  You have it when

  • You recorded the piece and wrote down three things to improve.
  I practised this one

Choose a tempo you can play comfortably, 70 to 90 BPM. Write slowly and perform slowly. A recording at a steady tempo is more useful than a fast one.

• Writing a melody without playing it over the chords. Always test it against the progression. Chords and melody must be heard together.
• Judging the piece too harshly the first time. Review for specific things (timing, clarity, one idea to change), not whether it is good.
• Starting without a plan. Pick the key and progression first. Constraints make writing easier.

This is the start of writing your own songs. Take any of your own phrases from earlier lessons and fit a progression underneath. You now have the tools to make a complete piece.

Short version (10 minutes)

Choose a key and progression and loop it for five minutes while you hum melodies over it.

Standard version (about 30 minutes)

Do all three exercises, then record a second version with one change from your review.

• Pick the key and progression first.
• Use chord tones on strong beats.
• Question then answer.
• Record and review with three specific notes.

You are ready to move on when you can honestly say:

• I have written a chord progression and a melody that fit together.
• I have recorded my playing.
• I wrote down three things to improve from the recording.