Motifs and repetition

This melody is built from one small idea, a motif: two repeated notes, a step up and a longer note. Each bar plays the same motif, moved to fit its chord.

Repetition is what makes melodies catchy: the ear recognises the idea and follows it. Moving the same shape to a new starting note is called a sequence.

Exact repetition gets boring, so melodies usually change something on the way: the last note, the rhythm or the direction. Try changing only the final bar.