Learn the rules so you can find new ways to break them...

We discussed "the rules" of writing a melody (or at least some of the "suggested" rules) in class.

• Your key should be reflected in your choice of notes
• The tonic (or naming note of the key) should play a prominent role in your melody (ie. it may begin and/or end the melody)
• The dominant (the 5th note of the scale) will also be prominently featured throughout the melody

Additional "rules" of melody writing might include:

• repetition of the tonic and dominant notes help establish the key
• Placing tonic and dominants on strong beats (like beat one)

Check out this observant blogger and composer as he deconstructs a familiar melody in relationship to some of the "rules" discussed above.

Look back at the 3 melodies you composed in the post about meter. Think about the key signature you chose. Does the melody take advantage of the features of that key? Does it adhere to traditional "rules" of melody writing ("rules" discussed in this class, in this post, and through reading the linked blogger post above)?

Edit your melody(s) to try and bring it in line with these rules.

Do you like the transformed/ edited version?

Composers often agonize over a single note choice or rhythmic element. Take a moment to agonize...