Hey guys, today I am going to show you how to write a simple melody on guitar. We are going to learn the three essential steps to writing a melody.

• Step 1. Find a good chord progression.
• Step 2. Learn the scale.
• Step 3. Shape the melody.

To write a melody on the guitar the harmony, melody, and rhythm must work perfectly together. Use at least two chords, then select some of the notes from the scale to come up with a melody that best describes your music idea.

It isn’t as simple as it sounds so in this lesson we are going to work on each step with practical examples so that you have an idea of how it’s done.

The example is in C major key, and the chord progression is C | G | Dm | Am |. The chords are played in different positions on the neck. You can try the exercise with just two chords and add more when you feel ready.

Enjoy this lesson.

Step 1. Find a Good Chord Progression

It’s evident that beautiful chords will inspire you more than boring chords. For this reason, I recommend that you write a good chord progression that gives you goosebumps.

In this exercise, we are going to play a chord progression in C major key. The chords are C – G – Dm – Am.

Each chord is played in a slightly different way than the shapes you probably know. I am playing some extended chords.

The C major chord becomes a Cadd11 chord played with the A string fret 3, G string open, B string fret 6, and E string open. It’s a beautiful chord that already sounds like a melody.

The G major chord becomes a G6, with the low E string fret 3 (I am using the 1st finger). The G string open, B string fret 3 (with the 2nd finger), and the E string open.

The D minor chord becomes a Dm(add9) chord played with the D string open, the G string fret 7, B string fret 6, and E string open.

The last chord, the A minor becomes a beautiful Am(add11) chord with the A string open, G string fret 5, B string fret 3, and the E string open.

What’s the Fingerpicking Pattern?

The fingerpicking pattern is fundamental when you play extended chords with open strings. The remarkable thing about fingerstyle technique is that it allows you to single out some of the notes of the chord and only play the strings that you prefer.

Assign a finger to each string. The thumb always on the bass notes, index on the G string, middle on the B string, and the ring finger on the E string.

If you want to easily memorize the fingerpicking pattern, quickly learn the name of the fingers.

• Thumb – letter “P.”
• Index – letter “i”
• Middle – letter “m”
• Ring – letter “a.”

For the Cadd11 pluck, the strings with P i m a.  Repeat the pattern four times.

For G6 the pattern will be P i a m.

For the Dm(add9) play a P i m a, and do the same with the Am(add11).

Step 2. Learn the Scale

The scale is an essential melodic tool you’ll ever learn. Why? Because the notes of the melody come from the scale.

In this example, we are playing a chord progression in C major key. Therefore we need to learn the C major scale.

Quick Note! Not all the melodies use this key principle. Sometimes it’s possible to write melodies using other scales that don’t relate to the key at all. 

The notes of the C major scale C D E F G A B C.

The trick is to learn the scale around the chord we are playing so if I am playing the Cadd11 chord using this shape, then I will learn the C major scale in this box.

For example, in this case, the scale starts from the note C, fret five on the G string, and it’s played up until the note A. The scale will then be C D E F G A. I am playing the note E open.

We can also use the open strings. For the G6, I am playing the scale starting from the note C. This position is more stretchy so take it step-by-step.

On the Dm(add9) I am going to play the scale C D E F G A B C starting from the note C on the G string fret 5.

For the Am(add11) I will go back to the same box played for the Cadd11 this time starting from the note C.

Step 3. Shape the Melody

Once you familiarize yourself with the notes of the scale, you can then begin shaping the melody.

How can you write a simple melody?

I wouldn’t start with the melody right away. Instead, play the chord twice. On the next count, play the bass note followed by the melody.

Out of all the notes of the box, I will only select four notes, the G, A, E, and D. I finish on the note D because it’s part of the G6 chord.

I would then play the G major twice followed by the melody. For this chord, I am only playing three notes and slide into the F on the B string fret 6, which is the minor 3rd of the D minor chord. I will play another four notes on this chord, the A, G, F, and E.

The last chord is the A minor which I will learn as we learned it.

Quick Tip! Make the last chord conclusive. It will make the structure clear (for you and the audience).

Try With Different Chord Progression

We can then use the same principle to write a different melody.

In this example we developing the melody on the F major chord, then C major, D minor, and A minor. Notice how the melody is always played with the notes of the C major scale and in the same position of the chord.

Let’s Wrap This Up

I hope you enjoyed this guitar lesson guys.

There are a few important points you should always remember when writing a good melody.

• 1. Always start with the chord progression. Make it simple and musical.
• 2. Learn the notes of the scale around the chord shapes. Use open strings if you can.
• 3. Shape the melody according to the music you play.

Good luck.

Marco

Learn more about how to practice scales on guitar in the next article.