This document discusses melody and how to write one. It defines melody as a series of single tones that form a recognizable whole. It notes that melodies are easy to recognize on their own or when combined with other elements. It then explains that modes were used as templates for writing chants and discusses the different church modes (Ionian, Dorian, etc.), providing examples of songs that use each mode. The document encourages practicing composing melodies using the modes as templates.

1. Melody

2. MelodyDifficult to define in words, but we’ve all heard melodies beforeTechnically:A series of singles tones (pitches) that add up to a recognizable wholeBegins, moves, and ends

4. Melodies are easy to recognize by themselves:Star Spangled BannerBut, you can still hear a melody when it’s not by itself:

5. So how do you write a melody?Let’s look at the piano:

6. Practice:http://www.musictheory.net/exercises

7. So if it’s that easy, let’s make a melodyEveryone pick 2 numbers and put them in the order

8. ModesMonks used different modes as a template to write chants.They did not actually originate in the church, but became known as “church modes”

9. Ionian: C - CLydian: F - FLocrian: B - BWe are only using white notes on the piano right nowDorian: D - DMixolydian: G - GAeolian: A - APhrygian: E - E

10. Each mode has a different feel… The Greek philosopher Plato felt that playing music in a particular mode would incline one towards specific behavior associated with that mode, and suggested that soldiers should listen to music in dorian mode to help make them stronger, but avoid music in lydian mode, for fear of being softened.

11. Examples:

12. Ionian:Most common songsHappy Birthday

13. Dorian: Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles

14. Phrygian:Favorite Things, from The Sound of Music

15. Lydian:The Simpsons

16. Mixolydian:Sweet Home Alabama

17. Aeolian:What Child is This?

18. Locrian:Unstable…songs are typically never in this mode

19. Practice…Compose an Ionian melody 8 bars4/4 time

20. Different examples of melodyPiano (12345671)Pick melody (everyone picks a number, green for ascending, blue for descending)Template for melodies: modesStudents will compose a melody in a certain mode