Developing your Chord Melody

Chord tones are first choice when it comes to writing your chord melody – or pick out one by ear! But melodies also uses the notes in between the chord tones.

Here is the short version of Pyramids with the simplest melody:

Here is the Pyramids melody enhanced with in-between notes:

Until November 2012 this web page was Lesson Five of the Musicarta Pyramids Variations series of keyboard creativity lessons, now released as an e-book digital download/data-CD. Click through to the Pyramids Variations home page to learn more, or jump right in and . . . BUY THE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD only $14.95 TAKE THE DATA-CD OPTION only $12.95 COMING SOON! These pared-down web pages have been left on the site to show you how the Pyramids Variations will give your repertoire and keyboard know-how a massive boost – explore them using the series navigation in the right hand column. Enjoy!

Using the Pyramids Variations, you do not need to be able to read music to make speedy progress. All the key musical examples have audio and MIDI support. Look at this example:

Beneath the graphic in the Pyramids Variations pdf document, you'll find audio file AND MIDI file reference numbers. You can play the audio clip on any media player, but when you play the MIDI file on the MidiPiano virtual keyboard (included in the download), you'll see-and-hear this:

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No waiting for buffering with MidiPiano, and the app has slow-down, repeat and zoom controls - you'll can't help 'getting it'. Lots of Musicarta learning material has MIDI support! You should certainly check it out.....

Learn more about playing Musicarta MIDI files here.

Download the MIDI files for the series here.

The Pyramids Variations shows you how to play a chord accompaniment and a melody at the same time, then how to make the melody more interesting with those in-between 'non-chord tones' ( - you'll even be talking like a musician!). It's the basis of popular keyboard style, all gathered together in one package.

BUY THE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD only $14.95

TAKE THE DATA-CD OPTION only $12.95 (COMING SOON)

But in Lesson Four, you've already expanded your chord accompaniment to the impressive four-chord version. When you add your developed chord melody on top, your performance sounds like this:

The techniques you learn in the Pyramids Variations you can apply to any chord sequence and melody - any song, in fact. Please continue to explore the Pyramids Variations using the links in the series navigation box in the right hand column, or link up to the Pyramids Variations home page for details of the download contents and study methods.

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