Udemy Music Theory Melody, Scales and Modes for Composition

The art of melodic writing is felt by many to be a mystery - something that cannot be taught, something purely instinctive. Others say there are rules and principles governing melody and that by learning them, we can compose better music.

I see value in both perspectives and this course walks the middle line. Each lesson provides very clear, theoretical instruction while encouraging exploration and discovery through a series of real-world exercises designed to put everything into practice right away. This approach means you will have a thorough understanding of the theory and the know-how to implement it in your own music.

Musical Warp Drive is about writing music, not just understanding it. Everything is designed to bring your own unique expression into focus and remove the limitations that stifle creativity. There will be no sight-reading, no exams, no quick-fixes, and no diploma to hang on your wall. There will be deep listening, compositional challenges, personal reflection, and many hours of effective practice. By the time you finish the course, you will have written 50 unique melodies, using many different scales and techniques, over a variety of downloadable backing tracks. Going forward, you will have confidence in writing powerful melodies that are appropriate for any musical situation.

Topics Covered:
The role and function of melody in music
Principles of a strong melody
Specific steps for writing melodies
All primary scales and modes
Melodic and harmonic minor
Pentatonic scales
Exotic scales
"Eastern" scales
How and when to use all scale types
Composing melodies over a drone
Melodic contour
How to use chord-tones and arpeggios when writing melodies
Important "avoid notes"
How and when to use chromatic (out of key) notes
Instrument choice for melodic writing
The emotional effects of articulation and instrument choice

Additional Content:
Very specific exercises designed to increase comprehension and get you writing melodies right away
Downloadable PDF pages with the most important information
A variety of downloadable backing tracks to practice writing melodies