BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
13357 / 18210 · Workshop 104 — Writing Strong Original Melodies: Motif, Contour, Repetition, Tension, Climax, and How to Make a New Tune Feel Inevitable Instead of Random← prev⊞ allnext →

104.179Conceptual study from “The Bare Necessities”

Extract abstract melodic principles:

  • conversational rhythm
  • playful repetition
  • space for responses
  • flexible phrase timing

Write an original melody with those traits but different pitches/rhythm.

Notice how melody can imply personality before sophisticated harmony appears.