Choosing appropriate accompaniment chords for a waltz melody

To play that as a waltz, you simply would play a bass C, followed by two higher C chords. Then a bass A, and two higher Am chords.

1. How do you know what chords go with a melody?
2. How do I choose chords for my melody?
3. How do you write a melody for a waltz?

How do you know what chords go with a melody?

Finding chords for your melody, steps to follow:

1. Try to transpose the melody to a scale you know well.
2. Try to find your bass notes first.
3. Start with the root note (of the scale).
4. Many progressions start or end with the root note (tonic).
5. After finding a fitting bass progression, build chords on it.

How do I choose chords for my melody?

Sing your melody over and over, and establish the key.

For example, if your melody starts with the notes C and E, it's an easy choice to strum a C chord as your harmony. Other chords would work with those two melody notes: Am, Fmaj7, or even Dm9. Familiarity with the melody is a vital step.

How do you write a melody for a waltz?

How To Compose A Waltz

1. Start by choosing a simple chord progression (just use chords I, IV and V – the primary chords).
2. Play the chord progression using the the “Oom cha cha” accompaniment.
3. Now improvise a melody over the top of the chords. Try to just compose 8 bars to start with.