Rules for 16 Bar Melodies

Question 1

Step 1?

Answer 1

Think of melody as A,A’,B,A, with question and answer phrases of 4 bars long

Question 2

Step 2?

Answer 2

Take note of the key and analyse the motive for its dissonances

Question 3

Step 3?

Answer 3

Create an authentic chord progression

Question 4

Rules for an Authentic Chord Progression?

Answer 4

1 - Root movements up a 4th (s-d, d-f) or down a 5th (d-f, l-r) are strong
2 - Root movements UP a 5th (d-s, r-l) or DOWN a 4th ( s-r, d-s,) are okay
3 - Root movements down a 3rd are strong (d-l, f-r)
4 - Root movements up a 2nd are often STRONG ( IV to V or V to vi ) although I to ii or ii to iii is WEAK

Question 5

Step 4?

Answer 5

Write a chord chart

Question 6

Authentic Chord Progression

Answer 6

I-IV-V-vi
ii-V-V7-I