How to Make A Melody Sadder than Sad

Maj and Min 6th

Hello guys, today I want to show you how to make a melody sound sadder than sad using the major 6th and minor 6th interval.

As you probably know, I really love to transform feelings into musical ideas, so today, we will take a look at what happens when you harmonize a simple melody in 6th.

We will start the lesson by learning a straightforward melody in A minor. The melody is mainly played on one string and with bass notes only.

Then we will double the melody using a lower note that matches the distance on a major 6th or minor 6th.

This interval will make the melody really sad/melancholic sounding.

If you are a beginner, start with the simple melody, then move on to the next step and double the line with the additional note.

Grab your guitar, and let’s get started.

The Video

Step 1

Melody and Bass note

We will start by learning the simple melody on one string as well as the bass note.

There are four notes for each chord.

The chord progression goes as follows: Am – F – C – G

You can really take the exercise step by step and learn the melody first before adding the bass note. Also, I highly recommend that you follow the left-hand fingering I suggest in the video so that when we double the melody, the left-hand fingering is already in place.

This is the simple melody played with a bass note only.

Step 2

Double the Melody

The next step would be harmonizing the melody using the major and minor 6th intervals.

This way of playing is more challenging as it requires finger stretch, finger dexterity, and control, so if you are a beginner, I would recommend trying to learn one chord at a time.

In the video, I explain the left hand fingering slowly, so make sure you follow that.

This is the melody harmonized in 6th.