How to create a melody from chords
This is a short guide that teaches how to create a melody from chords and different approaches how the melody can be arranged.
We will start from a simple and common chord progression: G - C - D - G
These chords include the following notes:
- G: G, B, D
- C: C, E, G
- D: D, F#, A
It isn’t necessary that the melody is completely based on the chords, but it often a good idea to mainly use the chord notes. Besides that, so-called passing tones, can be used as well.
Here is a simple melody in three bars based on the progression (the chord names can be seen above the tab):
Melody with single notes on low notes.
The same notes can be moved up one octave (it's more common to have the melody on the high strings):
Melody with single notes on high notes.
Now, when the melody have been placed in the upper voicing, bass notes can be added:
Melody notes and bass notes.
In the previous example, the bass notes were identical with the root notes of the chords. To get a richer sound, other chord notes beyond the root can be used when it's suitable:
Melody notes and bass notes, second arrangement.
This was a short introduction about how to create melody from chords and some arrangement methods.
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