How do I write a melody over top of a chord progression? And how do I write a chord progression over a melody?

Question

How do I know which notes to start with or end with? Do the notes of the melody have to coincide with notes in the chord being played? Or if I have a melody, do I have to use chords that have some of the same notes as in the melody? Sometimes I'll write a chord progression but then I try to write a melody for it and the melody follows the chord progression exactly and then there's no point in having the chord progression if the melody is exactly the same. Sometimes I'll write a melody and try to put a chord progression over top of it but then the progression mimics the melody. I've been listening to songs recently and trying to analyze them to see how chords and melodies fit together, but there's something that great songwriters do that I just cant put my finger on. I especially admire the Beatles and Kurt Cobain as songwriters. Do you know of any good books or sites about song writing or melodies or how to put melodies together with an accompaniment?

Answer 1

When composing a melody over chords simply use the first and second strings whenever possible and the chords will support it. That way you can play the chords and melody at the same time. On the other hand, using bass notes as a melody can still reinforce the rhythm background of chords.

Usually you will use chords that contain the melody note within, but it's not written in stone to do that. Accidental chords, like diminished 7ths, augmented 5ths, and so on, can be played to enhance a melody line.

I don't have any books to recommend except experience, trial and error in composing.

Answer 2

Your question is valid and requires more of an answer than I can provide here. It's a time consuming answer and it would be best if you looked into taking a theory class. There are many on the web. Find the sections on chord progression, and hamonic, and melodic structure.
To answer some of your question the chord progression has to fit a scale which is related to the key the song is in. The melody does in some way reflect the notes in the chord but, not always. The melody does not have to have a chord. It does however reflect the scale chosen to be played within the key.
To write a chord progression over a melody you need to determin what key the melody reflects, then what the related chord progressions would be for that key.
The harmony is reflected in the chord.

Answer 3

Choose two or three of the same chords and play them for 1 bars each instead and throw in one new chord for instance: Verse: |G C | D C | Chorus: |G | Em | C | D | This keeps it in the same key and makes it a little different. It helps to learn a bunch of covers in the style you play - you will see that they use many of the same chords, just in a different order or amount of beats