Hello all,

So I have never really payed attention on creating more complex melodies, but today I gave it a shot. Most of the time I start creating some kind of chord that I like (or single notes), but I get stuck when I want to continue to the second bar. I don't really know what fits the scale I randomly used. I just start with what, in my ears, sounds right.

The 1st chord has the following notes:

D#5 - G4 - D#4 - C4 - G#3

Then the 2nd chord goes like this:

C5 - G#4 - F4 - C#4 - A#3

I tried to put the first chord in some kind of calculator and it said that it is in a D# minor? scale. But some of the notes that I used don't show up within the scale itself. So how can I approach this?

Thanks a lot

 

They are both in D# major except for the C#.

Chords

 

For me this is a F min/G# maj scale.

 

Melodies often use notes that do not fall in the scale or obvious structure of the chord. sometimes they are "passing tones", sometimes they are there to deliberately create tension. As the composer, if your ears or brain tell you you like it, it's OK. I like to use a standard rock/blues chord to demonstrate. For ease, lets say key of C. Take a C major chord. Add the dominant 7th and sharp 9. Sounds better when you include the octave-8th. C7#9. You now have pretty much opened up the whole 12 note chromatic scale when you use this device--minor sounding or major sounding, depending on what is going on around it. Just one example. (everybody knows dumb drummers harmonic theory is stunted, sorry. Hope I explained it correctly.) Miles Davis said if you play the wrong note, it's the one that come after it that determines whether it was good. I like that quote.

 

This tool also works when in doubt: http://www.scales-chords.com/scalefinder.php

 

bit more, first two can be skipped if u start the process from some notes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drm3B6MajyY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AuqYKnMbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU58alGAfK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FurAJHMWDDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0o9fJqWf9c

 

Very nice tool thanks, i'm still using the Circle of Fifths(called Camelot Wheel these days) to find my scale

 

Melodies are the opposite of chords!
I would feel it like a c minor 7 with -9.
Please study bach and his fugues, play and identify how to make a piece with just single melody (really)
melodies must have curves, mainly the demos of libs or constructions kit have only BASSES that they call melodies... pooooor music that sometimes can be cool

 

Scales & Chords are really just the same as each other with a few intervals missed out here & there!

So rather than concentrating on melodies which are simply notes in any random order try & focus upon the chords u are using & what scales work over them or how each scale is derived etc.

Once you have an understanding of how each scales linked to each chord & vice/versa with the various progressions etc u will eventually be able to play any given scale structure over any chord which u can easily modify to create any sort of melody u want.

Some will sound great whilst others might sound horrid i.e 4 guitar don't start with Locrian or Diminished as it a little different to the rest and can be a bit strange at times *yes*

 

Thats a lot of support on my first post! Thanks everyone!

I just checked out the video's, and they helped me a lot. Really nice method for finding a scale.

 

So I just tried the method from the videos that xbitz posted.

The track that I used to test is "Martin Garrix - Forbidden Voices". The outcome is an F# major scale with dorian as a musical mode? I am having trouble finding the musical modes so I am not sure.

 

thanks xbitz your method is great i've just tested it "Martin Garrix - Forbidden Voices" the result for me is A#min/C#maj

 

I just did it again, and I think A# minor/C# major is right.

 

If you guys find xbitz's videos useful enough then perhaps I will include then in AudioSex Academy Part II: Music Theory. I've been meaning to improve that section of the forums but I'm a little torn between a lot of projects at the moment and I'm only one person so I had to put those plans on hold. Eventually what I would like is a team to assist in these kinds of ongoing projects. We can get a lot more done that way then if you guys wait on me. For now if you have found any videos particularly useful to any of the few topics that I've included so far as part of the series then drop me a line and I'll integrate them.