Melody: Start Here

 

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Lesson Discussion

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What is a Melody, Anyway?

• The basics of melody, explained. A handful of examples from common tunes. Must-know melody concepts, explained. A deep-dive into a single melody (Amazing Grace) played 4 different ways, including two using different Travis Picking approaches.

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Melody Examples in Travis Picking

• A handful of examples of melody in popular Travis Picking tunes, to teach you to recognize melodies in existing arrangements — whether they’re distinct or implied.

Where Melody Notes Come From

• Melodies almost always come from the scale of whatever key you’re in. I’ll teach you how to see these notes on the fretboard, and demonstrate how a single scale can yield countless recognizable melodies.

Moving Melodies to Different Keys

• Any melody can be played in any musical key. I’ll demonstrate this, and point to some of the trade-offs you’ll find when playing in one key vs. another — which is an important consideration in the world of Travis Picking.

Melody “Sweet Spot” While Travis Picking

• An overview of the most common keys that Travis Picking songs are played in, on account of those melody notes being the easiest to access while playing alternating bass & filler notes.

Melody and Single Bass Notes

• A lesson teaching you to ease your way into alternating bass notes, by first focusing on single bass notes for each chord. This lets you learn a tricky melody first, while adding in bass notes slowly & at your own pace.

Melody and Alternating Bass Notes

• Following up on the previous lesson, I’ll teach you how to transition from single bass notes to the alternating thumb approach. Plenty of practical tips included along the way.

Melody and Filler Notes

• I’ll show you how to take melody and alternating bass, then add in filler notes into the gaps. This allows you to fill things out, and even bring in your own sense of improvisation based on your skill level.

Abandoning Melody While Singing

• A look at how many real-world popular songs work, where melody notes are played during instrumental sections (e.g. an intro or solo) but replaced by filler notes when vocals begin.

Melody as the Highest Note

• A must-know concept about how to make melody notes stand out, by ensuring they’re the highest-in-pitch notes played in any given melodic phrase. An important technique to be aware of even outside the world of Travis Picking!

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