finding out the melody from the chords

Is there an easy way to figure out a songs melody from the chords? Like something that really helps with finding out the notes. Or can you really only do it by ear?

Originally Posted by: oib111Is there an easy way to figure out a songs melody from the chords? Like something that really helps with finding out the notes. Or can you really only do it by ear?

You will need to learn any given melody by the written sheet music (or MIDI file, notation file, some digital version of sheet music), or by listening to the music; or both.

You can help yourself figure out the melody by knowing the harmonic possibilities of the song's chords. I did a post on the reverse of this idea (from melody to chords) here:
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showpost.php?p=218207&postcount=8

Yea I saw that, but what about vice versa?

I wouldn't really say there's a sure-fire, easy way to do it.. but it's to do with what key the music is in. You can tell what key a song is in by looking at the notes or the chords, or both. Once you know the key, you can usually figure out the melody not long after. It's just a matter of finding the starting and ending notes of the melody phrase and filling in the gaps. And since you know all the notes in a specific key, which I think are referred to as the diatonic notes, you will know which notes you can use to fill the gaps. You may not have to use all the notes.. and in some instances there will be a note that is not within the key but it is not that common in a primary or secondary melody. When that happens, it's just a matter of trying the in-between notes (chromatic notes) till you find the right one.

Ok, well in my case I "follow the rules" of writing songs in a certain key.But sometimes I just write out chord progression. Sowhat if they'res no realkey?

Hehe.. there's always a key.. Music Theory is a way of describing music.. a way of communicating musical ideas.. that's all it is. You don't need to follow the "common rules" but whether you call it a key or a boingo (I made that word up :)).. it's still what it is... the tonal centre of the piece of music.

ive never really gone into depth with any music thory so what i do is just record it and play it over and over and if i play summtin kool than build off of that, and its allways good to have a buddy to play with wether it be charing ideas or just making them play the rythem section of your peice.