Melody

[Brad Barnett]

When writing melodies it's all about using your ear.  When playing a progression think of melodies in your head and when you have one you like start to hum it out loud or figure out the notes and play it on the guitar.  Using your ear is the best method because you can come up with a melody without thinking about what scales to use.  

 

Using your ear is not an easy thing to do, but it is the best way to write your songs.  It took years of playing, performing and learning theory to get to the point of being about to use my ear, but it was well worth it.

[Rudi]

Melodies are nowhere near as important as they were 80 years ago. A melody used to have to 'suggest' both time and harmony, major or minor all encompassed in its phrasing.

 

Chord usage has changed songs radically.