Developing harmony and melody
Developing harmony
Once you have selected the key of your piece, you will need to think about your chord progression. You should first decide if your key is major or minor then decide which order you are going to put your chords in.
You can develop the harmony in your original pieces by using techniqes such as:
- adding a change of key
- repeating a section with changes - you could change from major to minor, change from minor to major, or you could change key (modulate)
- using a walking bass - walking bass pattern is one that is popular in jazz and blues music. It goes for a walk up and down a pattern of notes, based on the chord sequence
- experimenting with a pedal note - a sustained or repeated note in the bass whilst the harmonies change above
Ground bass
A ground bass is a popular compositional device. Some composers use a short, repeated pattern in the bass, and play this over and over again while the harmony and melody above changes.
Watch this video of 'Dido's Lament' to hear how Baroque composer Henry Purcell used ground bass as a compositional device.
Dido's Lament
Developing melody
It is important to think about the harmony you want to use when you are composing melodies.
You might have composed a chord sequence first and possibly have some initial ideas, but you then need to extend those ideas, making sure that the melody fits with the chords that you have planned to use.
The following techniques and devices can all be used to develop the melody in your original music:
Using repetition
- When you repeat the melody it could be exactly the same or you could try adding extra notes or removing some notes.
Using sequences
- A sequence is a melodic phrase that is repeated a step higher or lower each time the pattern is played.
- Building patterns on scales and intervals. Repetition and sequences can be used.
- Adding a counter melody - another melody which fits in with the main melody.
Ostinato
Ostinato is a pattern that repeats over and over again. Try layering up different ostinati together.
Ornaments
Decorating your melody by adding ornaments such as grace notes and trills.
Using contrary motion
This is where two melodies move in opposite directions at the same time.
Adding chromatic notes
Notes that are a semitone apart are in a chromatic scale. These can be used to make the melody sound really interesting.
Chromatic scale
