Four Components of Melodic Construction
Strong, harmonically clear melodic lines are composed of four primary building blocks: chord tones, arpeggios, scale passages and approach patterns. Learn more about these components and how they are used to build improvised bebop lines.

Lesson Objectives
To learn how the four components of melodic construction are used in improvised bebop lines.

Benefits of Achieving the Lesson Objectives
Knowing the ingredients of a good sounding bebop line is halfway towards the goal of being able to improvise your own.

Lesson Stats
When added: 7/15/07; Duration: 15 minutes; The chord changes to this tune were used in this lesson: How High the Moon;

Prerequisites
Moderate keyboard proficiency. Ability to read notation. This is a good prerequisite: Improvisation: The Concept.

Quizzes
Quiz 1: ID the 4 components of melodic construction

Practice Sessions & Playalongs
Practice Session 1: Analyze a transcribed solo for the 4 components.
Practice Session 2: Play the solo that you analyzed.
Practice Session 3: Analyze a transcription of your choice for the 4 components.

Includes play-alongs for all practice sessions in MIDI, Band-in-a-Box™ and GarageBand formats.

Resources for further Listening and Reading
Check out these featured books and recordings.