Grade 5 Music Theory - Composing a Melody in a Major Key
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- How to write a melody. Learn how to compose your own short piece with these music composition tips and techniques, planning chords, thinking about structure, rhythm and pitch as well as adding musical interest and detail. Originally part of the ABRSM Grade 5 music theory syllabus. Writing a melody is usually quite a struggle for many musicians. Often they have no idea how to write a melody or they find it difficult to hear what they're actually writing on a page. However, in many ways, its one of the most creative topics of music theory, giving you the chance to compose your own short piece of music. Originally there used to be a question asking you to compose a melody on a Grade 5 theory exam, but it has since been removed. Never the less it is still a very useful thing to be able to do, especially if you would like to start composing music. In this music theory lesson, we are going to compose an eight-bar melody in a major key. Starting with an opening idea we'll develop an interesting melody using some expert techniques. We'll look at rhythm, pitch, structure, musical detail, phrase structure, dynamics, chord schemes and cadences, taking all these subjects into account in order to end up with a finished melody.
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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to melody writing
1:55 - Before you start
4:55 - Beginning to compose
7:00 - Adding cadences
16:27 - Creating interest
19:17 - Additional details
🎓 Grade 5 Music Theory Course
A complete, step by step and practical way to learn music theory and discover how music really works. It's our belief that every musician needs to have the theory knowledge that supports their playing, singing, or composing skills. This course features clear explanations of music notation, many worked examples and practice exercises, definitions of important words and concepts, specimen questions and many helpful tips for students. As well as being suitable for candidates preparing for ABRSM grade 5 music theory exams, this course also provides an excellent resource for anyone wishing to develop general music literacy skills.
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Music Matters definitely taking this class! Playing classic guitar years relearning theory. Your an AMAZING teacher.
That’s most kind
I am 70 year with 65 years of music making and am really enjoying your videos, so much so that I am thinking of working towards my grade 6 theory, and exam I never took when younger. After watching your videos along with some other videos on youtube I have found a distinct improvement in my playing. I have played the organ since my 20's and really enjoy playing interesting harmony. Thank you for your efforts.
That's great to read. I'm so pleased to read about the positive impact on your playing. If you want any one to one lessons for grade 6 in due course that is easily arranged on Skype. All the best.
Music Matters Thanks. I am going through the syllabus bit by bit and once I have established where I need help and I will be back to you. I am thinking about working towards the Autumn exam.
Good plan!
never thought that trying to learn and play Tool on the guitar would eventually lead me to try to learn music theory in depth, but here i am and i'm glad people like you are here to help. thank you so much
That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
I'll be honest: I have found your videos a little slow until now BUT you absolutely nailed it with this one. It was a a very thorough and thoughtful explanation of the thought process involved in going through what seemed at first like a daunting exercise. What a brilliant lesson. You have more than earned my subscription. Thanks.
That’s kind. I do take things slower since people who don’t have English as a first language asked me to but hopefully we cover the ground.
@@MusicMattersGB You really do cover the ground, and I'm extremely grateful - as are your other thousands of subs. I play guitar but never saw the need for any of this stuff (didn't read music etc) until subject scheduling left my daughter with no alternative but to study A level music (which she begins in September). She plays piano reasonably well but is very bad on theory/reading music etc. so I am learning theory with her in order to support her through the summer as she tries to get to grade five theory by late August. Your lessons are an invaluable tool in helping her succeed. And for that, I am eternally in your debt.
This was a great video that gave me a lot of ideas! I'm a DJ and composer/producer who is returning to my roots and taking theory gradings whilst teaching guitar and drums, this made my task seem even brighter!
Glad it's helpful. Shout if you want any further help.
4 years om and I've only just received this notification 😂😂😂 ill enjoy your videos in lockdown now as a recap
Great. Keep safe.
Hello Sir, just wanted to share my happiness and satisfaction with you. My exams went very well and this method for composing a Melody of yours immensely helped me out and I could finish it exactly on the last minute when they said pens down. I thank you whole heartedly again and congratulate you for your huge help you're providing.
I'm really glad the exam went well. That's great. Thank you for your kind comments.
Thank you for sharing this. The melody composition is the area that I am least confident about but your video has been very insightful. I feel better prepared for that part of the exam now.
Brilliant. For films on the rest of the syllabus have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Good luck
Never rushed! so enjoyable !
Most kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
You are incredibly positive, helpful and humble at the same time. I ADORE YOU!
(below are my thoughts in my mother tongue: Turkish)
Ya sen nasıl bir adamsın ya? Nasıl bu kadar pozitif, yardımsever ve alçakgönüllü şekilde anlatabiliyorsun konuyu? Vedat Milor'un deyimiyle: neden bu kadar İYİSİNİZ? Harikasın abicim/dayıcım/sir.
That’s very kind. Thank you. I’ve even managed to translate the Turkish. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
Spectacular, thank you SO much!
That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
I love your way of teaching, i did benefited from you so much
I’m really glad it’s helpful. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
Very clear and helpful! Thank you
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
My G5 exam is in a weeks time (1st March), and this is my bete noir... This was very very helpful, and I've finally got some confidence about it. Now if the given bars are in A major and look like that, I'll be very happy!
+Hugh Anthony
I hope it goes well. More material at www.mmcourses.co.uk if it's useful. All the best.
Great lesson. Thanks!
Many thanks. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more
You are JUST THE TEACHER I'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR 🖤
That’s kind. If I can help with any Skype lessons let me know.
Music Matters THANK YOU SO MUCH...IM ACTUALLY WORKING IN BOOK TWO OF MASTER THEORY WORKBOOKS AND I WOULD GLADLY STUDY UNDER YOUR TUTELAGE MAESTRO....I WILL BE IN TOUCH 🎼🎶🎶🎶
Ok. Look forward to hearing from you.
Nice. I enjoy your lessons!
That’s most kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for details of our 24 online courses and how to be part of Music Matters Maestros.
Absolutely amazing video
I’m glad it’s helpful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
This guy loves teaching!
True!
Wow.. what a great explanation. Now I can understand better for tomorrow's exam. Thanks for the video! :)
Great. Let me know how it goes.
Thank you so much. I was really daunted by this part of the exam. I found your advice so helpful and encouraging , Colleen
Glad it’s useful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more, including details of our 25 online courses and of our Maestros programme.
thanks for this video
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thank you for helping me!
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Very nice video. Thank you.
It’s a pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk where you can also sign up to receive our newsletter.
Thanks very much please post more grade 5 stuff
The whole everything you need to know for grade 5 theory course is available at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Good luck
awesome. really helpfull
+Amaya Pascual Cajal
Glad it's helpful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
What a superb explanation.... Helped me soooo much! :)
I'm glad it's all helpful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more
Very helpful video
Thank you. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
thanks a lot!! this is so good lesson for me!! :)
I'm glad it's helpful. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk for lots of other films. Enjoy!
I like it!
Great! See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more
Watching now 6 years after the same date it was published. I really enjoy these type of lessons! I'm not a bit of a music junky but now I learned so much from you! Please keep on teaching!
That’s lovely. Thanks for writing. We will do our best to keep producing videos. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
What a great tutorial, thanks so much. I was quite scared about this aspect of the exam but you have explained it very well and managed to make it fun :-)
Thanks for your kind words. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more.
Nice, help me alot
+gpsbisg
Good. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
It's almost like you're painting out a song. Thanks for the lesson.
You're very welcome!
Your videos are so helpful! Thanks so much!!! 🤣
That’s most kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
Thanks. I will
😀
susan li
I love composing melodies, theory is actually quite fun.
It certainly is. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thanks, where do I get those practice papers if there is any?
Go to www.mmcourses.co.uk scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on Musicroom. You’ll get all the papers you need there.
Got my exam in an hour! Thanks so much for giving me more insight into these questions.
Good luck! Let me know how you get on
Music Matters Went very well thanks! Your video really helped me for the composing question :D thanks again.
Brill. Hope the result is good when it comes. Let me know...
I guess 2 years have gone by with no reply of a result XD
Good
Thank you sir,
A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
its great, thank u!
+sun hossain
Thanks for your comment. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more
Just wanted to thank you, wish you were my teacher you explain stuff better than anyone I seen when it comes to melody in m opinion
+GramOfMayo
That’s really kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for many more video tutorials.
GramOfMayo I agree
That’s very kind. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
This was really helpful! I feel much better about next week's exam now. Thank you! 😊😊😊😊
+SIRIN JITKLONGSUB
Great. I hope your exam goes really well. More films at www.mmcourses.co.uk on every aspect of the syllabus.
Thank you so much for this video! I have one question though - approximately how many marks would the piece get?
Thank you so much, my exam is tomorrow and this helped me a lot
It would get a high mark. Good luck for the exam!
Thanks !!!
Cheers from Chile :D
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thank you for the great work! I have a question though: Around 8:54, why did you decide to use notes from bar 5? Could you explain in a bit more detail?
+Robs Tech Channel
Hi. Thanks for your message. Composing a melody is about developing given material without too much repetition yet also without creating continuous new material so we have a sense of cohesion, development and repetition. It's a balancing act. Hope that helps. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
This is really helpful thank you
post more videos on Grade 5
Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk
For all the other films covering the whole syllabus. Good luck!
Music theory in baby talk! Great!
Thanks. So many people make it all far more complicated than it needs to be. It’s possible to cover the detail in a logical way, making it much easier to grasp.
very nice thank you
+Chan Nguyen
Glad it's helpful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more.
Hello, my name is Mel, and I love your work. My question is what program do you use to display the notes of the keyboard as you play them. Also, can they be displayed in real time. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind comments. The program is called Synthesia and it can be displayed in real-time.
6:17 nice video!
Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Love this man's teaching. Very, very skillful and inviting to watch. Great job!
You’re very kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Amazing explanation! I'm taking the Grade 5 Music Theory examination today and this helped me understand the concept of composing much more :)
+慧慧
I'm glad it's helpful. All the best for the exam.... See www.mmcourses.co.uk
+Music Matters I took the exam and I think I aced the composing section, haha! my least confident field became my most; ^)
+慧慧
Brilliant! Well done
Brilliant!+慧慧
out of interest how long have you been studying music?
Sir, if I am not wrong the dynamic markings should be placed at the bottom of the stave.
It depends on the situation
Thank you for this very clear and helpful lesson. I'm taking my grade 5 theory early next month.
+J Soo
Good luck. Hope it goes well. If you want films on all aspects of the Grade 5 syllabus see www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thank you for this I’m just getting ready to take my grade 5 but this isn’t in the paper now however however my tutor saying I’d be fantastic at writing my own music? I haven’t a clue who so I’m going to be watch this to get me started :)
That’s great. Enjoy. On 13th October I’m running a live webinar that’s a revision for Grade 5 Theory. Come and join us online. The details are at www.mmcourses.co.uk and we are going to cover as much of the syllabus as we can, working exam-style questions.
Music Matters ohh that’s fantastic I’ll put that on my diary what time will it be ?
1pm U.K. time. Click on the website and sign up if you want to join us.
Music Matters thank you yes I’m in uk from the Midlands :) hehe look forward to it !
See you there!
Music theory exam on Wednesday. VERY helpful video! (I left a sub as well)
Hi. Thanks for your positive response. Good luck with the exam!
What is the purpose of a phrase mark? Thanks! Your videos are amazing!
+Patrick Souza
A phrase mark indicates a musical sentence. Thanks for your kind comment. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
1. How long is the exam?
2. Can we change the two bars we are given?
3. Which instruments do we need to know about (capabilities, clefs, etc.) for the exam?
Thanks!
1. 2 hours
2. No
3. Instruments in the orchestra. ( violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piccolo, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, side drums, bass drum, cymbals.
+Anonymous Person (123123Melody)
Thanks!
A pleasure.
If possible, can you please create a playlist for music theory by grade..Some grade seems having multiple videos but couldn't able to find out
If you go to www.mmcourses.co.uk you will find the complete playlist for each grade.
@@MusicMattersGB Thank you!!
😀
Thanks so much! Very informative and inspiring!
I'm glad it's helpful. Loads more films at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Cool. Looking forward to checking out more of your stuff!
Enjoy!
Go for it!
Glad it's useful. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for more. Enjoy!
Do you have one for grade 6? Thanks
+Tommy Iglesias
Hi. Have a look at www.mmcourses.co.uk
where you can download the Advanced Theory course, which includes melody writing for grades 6-8 plus every other aspect of the syllabus. Skype lessons are also available if helpful.
sir dynamics should be below notes know sir..m? is it ok to put it above....?
great helpful video tqsm
Dynamics can be placed above or below depending on what works best in the circumstances
Hi Gareth, up to now I have bougth your ABRSM THEORY GRADES 1-8 & COMPOSITION, I am up to grade 4 now in your Theory videos, do you discuss "suspended chords" in any of these videos I have purchased in later grades? I want to learn more about it.
+Victor Jones
Hi Victor. How are you doing? The suspensions are covered in the grades 6-8 theory material. Enjoy!
All is well thank you Gareth, Excellent I will take a look at it later on tonight then :)
+Victor Jones
Enjoy!
Natural born teacher well done sir!
A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.
So quick question...are you making these melodies up as you go or did you create it already?
I create them for the purpose.
You are really amazing, sir.. Thanks a lot for your explicit explanation.🙏🏼
It’s a great pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.
If I understand correctly one no longer needs to compose a melody (or indeed to draw any notes at all on a stave) for the ABRSM grade 5 theory exam now -- which seems a little sad.
Correct. Melody writing is no longer required for that exam but it’s still a useful skill.
This has literally saved my theory exam
Next week
Good luck next week! Let me know how it goes. If you want films on other aspects of the exam, see www.mmcourses.co.uk
Thank u
I wish my teacher was as nice abd helpful as YOU . Can YOU make more videos for GRADE5？
Oh and is there any possible way to have a teacher like YOU to teach me on saturdays ？
Thanks
That’s very kind of you. Every grade is available at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Enjoy!
Hi. You can have Skype lessons with me if you wish.
Can we use a fermata on our composition...🤔
Sure
is this helpful to make good melodies in beats?
Certainly melodies need to fit beats and to have rhythmic character. Much more at the Music Matters website including our complete Theory course www.mmcourses.co.uk/p/music-theory-grades-1-to-8
Wao you looked younger!
Thank you.
shall we apply the same technique in grade six as well? I really liked the idea you copied 1st and 2nd bar for bar 4 and 5,,,wow.
You can certainly adopt a similar plan but as melodies get longer an ABA structure would work well. See our G6-8 course at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Music Matters thanks sir , I have already bought a lesson for grade 6 to 8 on music matters last week. I have exam today .😅
Excellent. Good luck today.
Sir, I saw in a music theory book that there is no rule for composing melodies. So, it is requested that excluding any particularisation you may discuss the techniques endless in general eg chord changes,inversion,related keys,dramatic changes,chromaticism etc etc. Thanks. arun dey
We have some videos on the channel about melody writing. Enjoy!
How many marks would this composition get out of 15?
+Run Zhang
It would score a high mark.
Dear sir, I love your videos so much and i learn a lot from it! thanks!
but you know english is not my native league,so sometimes I feel quite confuse!
in this video, At one minute and 19 seconds, you said"But when you come to writing the melody for THAT,all THIS should apply in some way again.",I am not sure what does this sentence mean and what does "that and this"refer to?
At 3 minute and 44 seconds, he said"and if you can begin to hear what you're doing,and you want to be very creative,then there'll always be credit given for that if it works." I am confused about this sentence too!
would you please explain those two sentences to me,thank you so much!
have a nice day !
Don’t worry too much about the second sentence. It’s just saying that if you don’t want to follow the suggested plan you could do something more creative and credit will be given if it works. The first sentence is encouraging you to learn the technique then apply it to any situation.
@@MusicMattersGB got it! Thank you very much!
A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here th-cam.com/channels/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQg.htmljoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.
@@MusicMattersGB ok,let me check it .
😀
Hello Sir, I am having my ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exams in 5 days. I have an important question regarding this exercise. Can we really COPY (identically) the first bar melody to the 5th bar? Please help. Thank you
Hi. You need to see what works best but this plan helps the structure. You can copy it then decorate or modify it to take things further.
Good luck with the exam. Let me know how it goes.
+Music Matters Thank you so much Sir. Sure thing, I'll let you know how it goes.
I am having my grade 5 exam with you!
Hey hello, sorry could not wish you good luck for the exams but I hope it went well like me.
Thanks for this videos!! Sub here!!
That’s great. Thanks. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more
@@MusicMattersGB Ok! Great!
Gareth can I ask, how do you feel about atonal contemporary music? I only ask because I am loving all your videos on composition/music theory/writing in keys etc, but I have found out many undergraduate music schools/colleges etc are pushing atonal contemporary music on students, one professor actually said to me in a email he cares not for key signatures, it is a thing of the past, and why do something what many have done before. I listened to some of this "new music" and I can not enjoy it, I can not hum the melody, it just sounds like noise and I wonder how people can call that music, I have no idea what to do as I want to do a degree in composition but this particular conservatoire does not teach students to write in key at all. I spoke to others about it and quite a few people said the same thing at their university, they push atonal music and will not let the students be creative in what they have passion for, another guy said he was told writing a symphony is something of the past and that is not composing, then kicked him of the course. I really do not know what to do as I want to pursue a career in composition, but I do not want to be told I must write my own music in a certain style which has no sense of key or tonality
+anton mclouglin
Hi. I can appreciate your position here. Many people would like to explore composition in more traditional styles. Most Universities want to encourage 'original' composition rather than pastiche. The challenge is to find a way of being original while still writing in a style that has integrity for you. Whichever direction one takes in relation to style, I think technique is essential. That's why the traditional skills of writing harmony, learning to design a melodic line, orchestration etc equip one with the technique needed to move in any direction.
thank you
+anton mclouglin
It was Stravinsky who said that there was still a lot of good music to be written in C major.
amen to that :)
Very professional lesson. Btw, are you also an artist or sculptor of some kind?
Glad you enjoyed it. Much more material at www.mmcourses.co.uk
No I'm not an artist or a sculptor - just a musician.
The e natural clearly indicates that it is not f sharp minor.
+Corrie De Beer
Absolutely true in this case but don't forget that e natural MIGHT be something to do with F# minor descending melodic minor i.e. there may be a mixture of E# and E natural. Hope you found the film helpful.
Appreciate the teaching :) zealous to make make music for the Glory of God. Hope to see you in Heaven
That’s great. Thanks.
very easy, very simple and very efficent
Very kind. Shout if you want any more help.
Thank you. This was most cogent.
+Éammon Síocáin
A pleasure. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more
Preparing for my matric final exams just got easier👍thank you so much!
A pleasure. Good luck with the exams. Much more to help you at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Bar 7 is only worth 3 beats instead of 4 beats
+Premalatha Emmanuel
Bar 7 comprises a dotted crotchet, a quaver, two quavers and a crotchet, so that totals four beats. All the best.
What a nice professor!
You’re very kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk