Topmusicanswers
- How do you know what chords to play over a melody?
- How do you make chords around a melody?
- Can you play chords and melody at the same time?
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 make chords around a melody?
If you change chords every four beats, take a look at all the notes that occur within those four beats, and choose a chord that properly harmonizes them.
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Adding Chords to a Melody: the 3 Easy Steps
- Identify the time signature;
- choose the song's key;
- choose chords based mainly on melody notes that occur on strong beats.
Can you play chords and melody at the same time?
As one advances, polyphony or playing multiple parts at once, is even possible. I believe that teaching chords and melody at the same time will lead to quicker comprehension of the instrument. Think of the piano, one plays the chords with their left hand and the melody with their right.
