Melody in Songwriting. Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs

Melody is a subject too often neglected in the teaching of music. This unique resource gives melody that attention it deserves, and proves that melody writing is a skill that can be learned. Through proven tool and techniques, you will learn to write interesting melodies, how melodic rhythm influences rhyme, what makes harmony progress, and the many dynamic relationships between melody and harmony. This clear and comprehensive approach to songwriting unlocks the secrets of popular songs, revealing what really makes them work. Examples of great songs by such notable songwriters as Lennon and McCartney, Diane Warren, Robert Palmer, and more, provide a close-up illustration of the songwriting techniques employed by these masters of the industry. This is the book used in Songwriting classes at Berklee College of Music. The exercises provided make it a wonderful self-teaching manual and a great addition to any general theory course of any level. Use the tools presented in this book to help fine-tune your craft and start writing hits!

CONTENIDO:

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Part 1. Melody: Its components
1. Melody: some basics
2. Pitch
3. Rhythm
4. Tone tendencies
5. Symmetry / Assymetry
6. Melody in minor
7. Melodic outline; melodic contour
8. Controlling the speed of your song
9. Melodic placement
10. Building sections
11. Developing techniques
12. Form

Part 2. Melody-Harmony relationships
13. Functional harmony and harmonic progression
14. A unified theory of melody and harmony
15. Non-chord tones and tensions
16. Making harmonic choices
17. Melody/Bass relationships
18. Harmony in minor
19. Additional melodic/harmonic considerations
20. Starting with a chord progression
21. Pedal point, sus chords, and chords without thirds
22. Blues/Rock
23. Modes

Afterword
Biography
Index