Topmusicanswers
- Can chords be a melody?
- How do you know what chords to play over a melody?
- How do you choose melody chords?
- Is chord progression a melody?
Can chords be a melody?
Diatonic chords
Say your melody comprises the notes in a C major scale (C—D—E—F—G—A—B); each one of those notes is the tonic, or root note, of its own chord. These chords are called diatonic chords, and they play an integral part in assigning chords to a melodic note.
How do you know what chords to play over a melody?
Finding chords for your melody, steps to follow:
- Try to transpose the melody to a scale you know well.
- Try to find your bass notes first.
- Start with the root note (of the scale).
- Many progressions start or end with the root note (tonic).
- After finding a fitting bass progression, build chords on it.
How do you choose melody chords?
Once you've chosen a basic harmonic rhythm, find a chord that fits most of the notes within that number of beats. Let's say it feels right to change chords every 4 beats. Find a chord that works with most of the notes of the first 4 beats, keeping in mind that your chord choice should emphasize the key of your song.
Is chord progression a melody?
They are often presented as successions of four chords (as shown below), in order to produce a binary harmonic rhythm, but then two of the four chords are the same. Often the chords may be selected to fit a pre-conceived melody, but just as often it is the progression itself that gives rise to the melody.
