Christopher Young

USC SMPTV 2014-15

MELODY ASSIGNMENT #1
Song Form With Chords Given
OBJECTIVES:

1. Write a simple, singable, and memorable melody in song form using the open
5ths provided.

2. Why am I making you use these 5ths?

• They are so basic that it should force you to write simply.

• They are open so that you can determine if the melody is in a major or
minor key.
• This also is a valuable exercise because as an orchestrator, you may be
forced to compose a cue based on someone else’s material.

Assignment:

1. Fit your tune into the two pages provided. The form is Intro/A/A/B/A. Do not
write a melody in the Introduction (measures 1-4). However, a pickup into the
downbeat into measure 5 is allowed. This is simply a time to setup the
accompanying chord progression.

2. You may write it in any tempo you like.

3. The meter may be 4/4 or 3/4.

4. You must use the blocked 5ths provided as written. No arpeggiating, no counter
lines, no additions, no subtractions. You may, however, play them down the
octave as necessary.

5. Your melody should be one line only. You should be able to play it with one
finger.

6. Your second A section may be an exact repetition or offer some slight variation.

7. You must write your melody down with a pencil and a straight edge.

8. No mockups. You must be prepared to play it in class or have somebody play it

for you.

9. Do what you need to do to write your melody with your brain and not your fingers
at the piano. Sing into a tape recorder, tie your hands behind your back. Do what
you have to do.
 SMPTV Assignment #1
Song Form: AABA
INTRO
No Melody in the Intro

4 ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
G5 F5 G5 F5
&4
w w ww w
?4 w w w
4
1 2 3 4

A G5 F5 G5 F5

&
w w w w
?w w w w
5 6 7 8

C9 D5 G5 F5

&
ww ww ww ww
?w
9 10 11 12

A' G5 F5 G5 F5

&
w w w w
?w w w w
13 14 15 16
 SMPTV Assignment #1 2
C9 D5 G5 F5
&
w w w w
? ww w w w
17 18 19 20
B
Eb F Gm F

&

? b b www ww b ww ww
w w w
bw w w w
21 22 23 24

Eb F Dsus4
&

? b ww ww ww ww
bw w w w
bw w w w
25 26 28
A 27
G5 F5 G5 F5
&
w w w w
?w w w w
29 30 31 32

C9 D5 G5 F5 G9

&
w w w w w
? ww w w w w
w
33 34 35 36 37