Tips to making a melody

[Funkbass796]

Well the bass generally holds down the rythm, but what about melody? Recently my bass instructor has asked me to start constructing a melody while he plays a bass line and i'm at a loss of what to do. What are some general tips for constructing a melody?

I know about primary resolution and stuff like that, but is there more to constructing a melody other than that?

[santucci218]

start by trying to sing over the bass line and hear it in your head, than play it.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Funkbass796

Well the bass generally holds down the rythm, but what about melody? Recently my bass instructor has asked me to start constructing a melody while he plays a bass line and i'm at a loss of what to do. What are some general tips for constructing a melody?

I know about primary resolution and stuff like that, but is there more to constructing a melody other than that?

I have two points to make. Firstly, a melody is a sequence of notes. Secondly, bass is no more or less necessarily responsible for holding down rhythm than piano or guitar or any other given instrument.

Constructing a melody generally consists, in the common sense, of playing a sequence of notes that fits within a certain tonal context based on either scale or chord progression and can be either similar or contrapuntal to other melodic elements. I guess it all comes down to the criteria of the exercise really. Hopefully your tutor is giving you some parameters to work with.

[Psychicpet]

I know that for me the best thing is to play melodies that are already written to get a feel for "melodies" rather than waiting upon the ethers to offer up some profundity

think of some of your favourite tunes/jingles and try to play those simple melodies, then take the Real Book and read a few of the charts and play those melodies.

always try to sing the melody out loud or in your head at least first and I bet you'll be surprised at what comes out! and through your fingers as well.

[Psychicpet]

ps. try to de-construct your melodies regarding theoretical application and "correctness" AFTER you've played them, sometimes trying to think "in the box" before hand can be a bit stifling.

[Funkbass796]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

I have two points to make. Firstly, a melody is a sequence of notes. Secondly, bass is no more or less necessarily responsible for holding down rhythm than piano or guitar or any other given instrument.

Constructing a melody generally consists, in the common sense, of playing a sequence of notes that fits within a certain tonal context based on either scale or chord progression and can be either similar or contrapuntal to other melodic elements. I guess it all comes down to the criteria of the exercise really. Hopefully your tutor is giving you some parameters to work with.

The only parameters I have to work with is a scale and to not go back to the one at the beginning of a measure.

Thanks for the help.

[c_joseph_lier]

Originally Posted by santucci218

start by trying to sing over the bass line and hear it in your head, than play it.

This is by far the best way to start. If you have to take a breath, then you have to stop playing, and that builds phrasing ... plus, if you can't sing a flurry of notes, why try to play it ... the advice about finding out what is right or wrong after you have built the melody is great too, because you have to fall before you can run the marathon ... what does the bass say to you, find your voice, and say it ... what sounds great to you will always have someone in the opposition, but hopefully they are few and far inbetween, and play the notes that make Mr. Happy Dance!

[DocBop]

Bass players like Paul McCartney are considered Melodic bass players. Also Walking bass the good players are creating a counter melody with their lines. So as suggested try singing so the bass doesn't limit you and transcribe what you sing. That is a great ET practice too. Also start trying to write simple melodies using chord tones. Also common note movements are 2->1, 3->4, 5->6, and 7->1.

[HaVIC5]

Melodies are what elude bass players the most out of any aspect of music, in my experience - it's just not what we're there to do 95% of the time. Sure, you can play "melodically", but that doesn't really mean a melody. My advice is to start by transcribing onto bass simple melodies that you already know, like the Happy Birthday song, or Frere Jacques, or things like that. Then, move on to try and transcribe vocal melodies on songs that you like (this is a good one). The human voice is the ultimate melodic instrument, and immitating that is how you can get a good melodic sense out of you instrument. Sing along too - this gives you ideas about phrasing, and when to rest (take a breath) and then begin the next phrase.