If you don't play an instrument you may need a second device for this exercise. One to play a track, and another to record yourself singing to the track. Unless you have an app that you can do both on (that takes a little more technical know-how).

The main point here isn't to come up with a super original melodic ideas. It's more to develop a playful and loose grip on your own ideas so you can make changes without feeling like you're wounding yourself. You may find that playing it with an unexpected groove creates new and surprising meaning.

Instructions

Go back to last week's exercise "XAXA Rhyming with Melody." Pull up one of your lyrics. If you are missing some days use these as fill-ins.
Run your lyric through three different chord Chords and Grooves from the list below. Either use your own instrument or use the tracks I created. If you have your own chord/grooves, by all means, use them.

Chords and Grooves

Pop Major

Key of C: | C / F / | G / / / |

Key of G: | G / C / | D / / / |

Pop Minor

Key of C: | Am / F / | C / / / |

Key of G: | Em / C / | G / / / |

Pop Ballad

Key of C:

| Am / G/B / | C / / / | F / / / | F C G / / |

Key of G:

| Em / D/F# / | G / / / | C / / / | C G D / / |

Folk

Key of C: | C | C | F | C |

Key of G: | G | G | C | G |

Blues Rock

Key of C:

| C7 / / / | C7 / / / | G7 / / / | G7 / / / |

Key of G:

| G7 / / / | G7 / / / | D7 / / / | D7 / / / |

Jazz Standard

Key of C: | C / Am7 / | Dm7 / G7 / |

Key of G: | G / Em7 / | Gm7 / D7 / |

Questions and Feedback

Is there any part of the lesson that could be more clear? What would make your experience better? Are there any benefits to this exercise that I am missing? Please leave feedback in the comments below. For more immediate assistance shoot me an email at rigel@100daysofsongwriting.com

Week 7: Melody Chords and Groove