Notes that fit the chord

Now the grid has a band under it: chords, a bass and drums playing I – V – vi – IV. This melody uses only notes from the chord of each bar.

Notes that belong to the chord (its chord tones) sound stable and at home over it. Landing on them on the strong beats keeps a melody connected to the harmony.

Other scale notes still work, especially between chord tones and on weaker beats: they create a little tension that the next chord tone resolves.

Your turn

Write your own melody over the band. A good trick: start each bar on a note of its chord (C–E–G, G–B–D, A–C–E, F–A–C).