Melodic Construction - Key Concepts

In music a melodic pattern is the basis for a repetitive pattern. It is a figure that can be used with any scale. It is used primarily for solos vocal or instrumental.

Melodic Construction is how the main melody is constructed and fits within the piece.

Development of themes and motifs – Think about ‘Darude – Sandstorm’ or ‘Metallica – Enter Sandman’; the parts played on the synth and the guitar are themes that are developed as the songs progress.
Timbre/Instrumental Techniques – How the instrument is played, for example – Palm muted guitar parts like ‘Green Day– Basketcase’ or pizzicato on a violin where you pluck the strings with your finger instead of using a bow. This can also be sequenced loops on a synth in Dance music/HipHop.
Melodic Structure – Leaps or Steps as seen in Defying Gravity. The use of pitch (how high or low the notes are) maybe for a soprano or a tenor singer.
Duration of Melody and the Range (the distance between notes or how long they go on for, for example holding a single note for a length of time).
Call and Response – typically played on two different instruments, can be heard a lot in Gospel.
Counter Melody - Where you combine two different melody lines together for impact.
Improvisation - Where an instrument has an understanding the key and plays around with a few ideas in that key, can be heard in blues and jazz among others.