This lesson is designed to categorize and profile some basic forms of melody. While not exhaustive, it offers a practical way to think about melody both generally and from the perspective of a composer.
- Diatonic melodies are typically stepwise in nature, moving mostly by seconds within a given key. While some leaps may be present, the prominent motion is scalar. This type of melody is often highly singable.
- Intervallic melodies prioritize leaps over stepwise motion, often favoring intervals larger than a second—such as fourths, fifths, and sixths, etc. These wider intervals create more angular, less predictable melodies.
- Pentatonic melodies are built primarily on the major or minor pentatonic scale. Widely used across many genres and cultures, pentatonic melodies often feel open, consonant, and familiar.
- Harmonic melodies outline chords through arpeggiation or chord tone emphasis. They can create a strong harmonic implication even in the absence of accompaniment. This technique is particularly effective when you want the melody to clearly reflect the underlying progression.
- Chromatic melodies incorporate notes outside the key—those five pitches not found in a standard diatonic scale. When used within a tonal context, the challenge is to integrate chromatic tones while still maintaining the character of the key. Done well, chromaticism can add richness and tension.
