How can chords be used to compose a melody?

In this lesson, we will learn how melodies are related to chords, and analyse melodies from Pachelbel's Canon in greater depth. We will learn how to use the ground bass from Pachelbel's Canon to create a ground bass of your own. We will then explore how to structure your melodies in a Digital Audio Workstation.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads?

I, IV, V (1, 4, 5)ii, iii, vi (2, 3, 6)I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)

3/10

Q4.What is a bassline?

A melody in the bass.A basso continuoThe lowest part of a piece of music, often repeated.

4/10

Q5.What are the primary triads in D major?

D, Em, F#mD, G, AD, F#, A

5/10

Q6.What are the secondary triads?

I, IV, V (1, 4, 5)ii, iii, vi (2, 3, 6)I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)

6/10

Q7.How do you create a basic bassline?

Use the root of the chordUse you musical ear to come up with somethingUse all the notes of the scale

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a bassline?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a passing note?

A missed out noteA repeated noteA note directly between two pitches

9/10

Q10.What would a suitable passing note be to move between C and A?

BEA

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads?

I, IV, V (1, 4, 5)ii, iii, vi (2, 3, 6)I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)

3/10

Q4.What is a bassline?

A melody in the bass.A basso continuoThe lowest part of a piece of music, often repeated.

4/10

Q5.What are the primary triads in D major?

D, Em, F#mD, G, AD, F#, A

5/10

Q6.What are the secondary triads?

I, IV, V (1, 4, 5)ii, iii, vi (2, 3, 6)I, iii, V (1, 3, 5)

6/10

Q7.How do you create a basic bassline?

Use the root of the chordUse you musical ear to come up with somethingUse all the notes of the scale

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a bassline?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a passing note?

A missed out noteA repeated noteA note directly between two pitches

9/10

Q10.What would a suitable passing note be to move between C and A?

BEA

10/10

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the notes of a D major triad?

D, E F#D, F# BD, F#, A

3/10

Q4.How do the pitches of melody 1 relate to the chords?

They are the root of the chordAll the notes are the root, 3rd or 5th of the chordHalf of the notes are from the chords, the others are passing notes

4/10

Q5.What are the note values of melody 1?

1/2 beat - quavers1 beat - crotchets2 beats - minims

5/10

Q6.What is the shape of melody 2?

Ascending, then it descends at the endDescending, then it ascends at the endAscending to the middle, then it descends

6/10

Q7.Describe the melody of melody 1

Moves completely by stepMoves in a combination of steps and leapsMoves completely in leaps

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a melody?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a canon?

When exactly the same same part comes in later, creating a polyphonic textureWhen a different part comes in later, creating a polyphonic textureWhen a different part comes in at the same time, creating a polyphonic texture

9/10

Q10.How do you create a canon on a DAW?

You create a new melody to play over the top of the old melodyYou copy the melody and move it so the copy comes in afterYou copy the melody and change the instrument

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is a chord?

More than one note played at the same timeA repeated noteTwo notes

1/10

Q2.What is a triad?

A three sided noteA chord with three notes, root, 3rd and 5thThree notes next to each other: 1, 2, 3

2/10

Q3.What are the notes of a D major triad?

D, E F#D, F# BD, F#, A

3/10

Q4.How do the pitches of melody 1 relate to the chords?

They are the root of the chordAll the notes are the root, 3rd or 5th of the chordHalf of the notes are from the chords, the others are passing notes

4/10

Q5.What are the note values of melody 1?

1/2 beat - quavers1 beat - crotchets2 beats - minims

5/10

Q6.What is the shape of melody 2?

Ascending, then it descends at the endDescending, then it ascends at the endAscending to the middle, then it descends

6/10

Q7.Describe the melody of melody 1

Moves completely by stepMoves in a combination of steps and leapsMoves completely in leaps

7/10

Q8.How could you vary a melody?

Make it fasterChange the instrumentChange the rhythm

8/10

Q9.What is a canon?

9/10

Q10.How do you create a canon on a DAW?

You create a new melody to play over the top of the old melodyYou copy the melody and move it so the copy comes in afterYou copy the melody and change the instrument

10/10

Lesson summary: How can chords be used to compose a melody?

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How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

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How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can chords be used to compose a melody?

Lesson summary: How can chords be used to compose a melody?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: The Beauty of the Baroque is: How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
The Beauty of the Baroque
is:
How can we compose a stylistic Baroque melody?