[christiansax]

Hi Composers,

I'm new to compositions and just recently started to write my own songs. However, I'm really having a hard time figuring out what chord to use over a melody line.

As per my understanding, the melody usually is, most of the time, part of the chord tones either the main tones or as embelishment. But when I try it, I can't seem to find the right chords for the song.

If you can share your process on how to get the right chords over a melody.

Thanks a lot!!

Jessie

 

[hgiles]

1 Find the bass line.
2 Fill in the stuff in between

Really, most melodies can be harmonized using I, IV, and V. Try to harmonize it using these chords first. Then decide whether you want an embellishment of these.

 

[christiansax]

oic...so on the Piano, I can try to experiment what bass line would work (at least playing the root) on the left hand while I play the melody on the right?

 

[hgiles]

^^^-- Yes, that is the way to proceed. Find the accompanying bass line.

 

[christiansax]

Wow geat!! I'll try to do that...I'll get back here if I need to ask for help to embelish chords....

Thanks Giles!!!

 

[gary]

Here's how I would recommend novices start out.

Find the cadences in your melody. That is:

- identify where your melody ends on tonic chords.
- identify where your melody ends on dominant chords.
- identify where your melody ends on other chords you consider important cadence points.

These are the harmonic goals of your melody, the forward motion of your song.

Then work backwards from these cadence points, writing each harmony so that it moves forwards towards the cadential points. I mean, i.e. now that you have a tonic chord, write a chord that will make the most sense immediately preceeding it. Then write a chord that makes sense immediately preceeding that one. That's what I mean by working backwards. You have a lot of leeway, but this should give you a strong organisation and structure to work with.

Then, you can go back and start changing and substituting here and there, if you want, to make the harmonies more interesting. The problem with starting at the beginning and going forward, if you are inexperienced, is that you may wind up wandering aimlessly and you find yourself at a cadence suddenly and it doesn't fit. When you work backwards, you can set up these moments so that they do fit.

Like I said, you can always go back and change things to make them more interesting. And that includes using the bass line. You will find that even leaving the harmonies the same, by changing the bass line here or there, you can give the harmonies a completely different flavour and texture. Again, be sure that, unless this is what you intend, you prepare the listener's ear for that and also ease out of such changes.

 

[christiansax]

Thanks Gary,

I think this is a good approach for beggines like me. You nailed it when you said about starting in the beginning and then everything is out of control going forward. But by working backwards, I already have a Cadence and I just have to work my way back to starting point, which is easier to do.

Great advice!! Thanks....

Anyone still wants to share their process, all ideas are useful for us starters.....