Melodic Contour

Melodies are shapes: steps feel smooth and leaps add drama — delete notes and re-add them at new heights in the piano roll to build an arch-shaped melody.

Draw a melody and you get a line with a shape. The one below climbs up, then walks back down — press play and listen to the "arch".

BPM 100

Steps and leaps

Moving between adjacent scale notes is a "step" — it feels smooth and easy to sing. Jumping over notes is a "leap" — it adds drama. The recipe for most good melodies: lots of steps, plus one purposeful leap.

Make it yours

Rewrite the notes above into your own arch — click a note to delete it, then click it back in at a new height: rise, peak, fall back home. Try adding a leap, then play it again and compare how it feels.

Challenge

1/2

Which melody moves by step?

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