Melody Writing Tips

1. Should consist of steps (2nd) and leaps (more than 2nds)
2. Leaps of a 3rd, 4th and 5th is acceptable
3. Leaps of 6th and Octave are allowed only if it is preceded by notes within its compass. However in the case of (c), leading note should always resolve to the tonic, so it is acceptable to proceed out of the 6th compass. See below:

 

 

4. Augmented 4ths should always resolve to a semitone above or below (fa - ti - do; ti - fa- mi) See below:

 

 

5. Try to avoid 3 or more consecutive leaps in the same direction. But if unavoidable, make sure that the leaps are within the range of an octave. See below:

 

 

6. Consecutive leaps in the same direction resulting in more than an octave for eg. 9th is not allowed. See below:

 

 

7. Pitches should not be repeated too regularly. See below:

 

 

8. At the end of any modulations, or at the end of the melody, the Perfect Cadence should be used. To indicate this, the leading note should move to the tonic (a) and (d); supertonic should move to tonic (b) ; dominant should move to tonic (c). See below:

 

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