How to Write a Melody on Piano Using a Motif (Building Phrases)

To write a melody from a motif, create a short melodic-rhythmic phrase over the chord tones, then keep it fresh across a progression by changing its landing note, transposing it to start from each chord's root, and adding or removing notes.

Video lesson by Jason Zac · Intermediate · 12 min

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This lesson shows how to build a melody over an existing chord progression using one short, catchy idea called a motif. It suits piano players who can already play basic chords and want to start composing or improvising melodies that are memorable without being boring. Jason Zac demonstrates everything in Bb major (two flats) over the vi IV I V progression: Gm, Eb, Bb, F, with chords in the left hand and the melody in the right.

What a motif is

A motif is a short phrase made by combining a melodic shape with a rhythmic idea. Ideally it should sound good over all four chords. But a melody also has to follow the chords, and listeners need something they can remember. Repeating the same phrase unchanged can get monotonous or clash with a chord. Small changes solve both problems.

The motif used in the lesson is G A Bb A G D, played over the Gm chord.

Method 1: Change the landing note

The landing note, the last or longest note of the phrase, rings in the listener's ear far more than the others. So check it against each upcoming chord and change it if it does not fit.

1. Gm: landing on D works, because D is part of the G minor chord (G Bb D).
2. Eb: change the landing note to Eb, a chord tone of Eb major (Eb G Bb).
3. Bb: a G here sounds a little annoying and repetitive, but F works because it belongs to Bb major (Bb D F).
4. F: land on F or C, both part of F major (F A C).

The phrase stays almost the same, so it feels familiar, but the changed endings break the monotony and keep it in line with the harmony. You can also experiment: ending with G and D over the Eb chord gives an Eb major 7th colour (Eb G Bb D), a jazzier vibe.

Method 2: Transpose the motif around each chord

Think of the motif in numbers relative to the chord root: 1 2 3 2 1, then the lower 5. Over Gm that gives G A Bb A G D. Now restart the same shape on each chord's root, using notes of the Bb major scale:

• Eb: Eb F G F Eb Bb
• Bb: Bb C D C Bb F
• F: F G A G F C

This is a more dramatic change than Method 1, yet it remains memorable because the pattern is identical. On the last chord you may drop the phrase altogether and play a quick flourish of notes instead, a bit like a drum roll at the end of a section.

Method 3: Take notes away and add them back

Once you have a phrase you enjoy, squeeze it. Play a shorter version, then an even shorter one that you can repeat more often, then bring back the full motif. You can also add a few extra notes. Alternating between shrinking and restoring the motif gives variety while the core idea stays recognisable.

How to practise

1. Loop Gm, Eb, Bb, F in the left hand (inversions keep the hand movement small).
2. Create a short motif from chord tones over the first chord.
3. Play it over all four chords and listen: does each landing note sound consonant or wrong?
4. Fix clashes by changing just the landing note or one or two notes.
5. Try the transposed version, starting the shape on each chord's root.
6. Shorten and lengthen the motif, and finish phrases with a free flourish when you want a change.
7. Decide which approach you like best for your piece.

Questions about this lesson

What is a motif in music?

A motif is a short phrase formed by combining a melodic idea with a rhythmic idea. It can be repeated and varied across a chord progression to give a melody its identity.

Why change the landing note of a melody?

The last or longest note rings in the listener's ear more than any other, so if it is not part of the current chord it can sound wrong. Changing it to a chord tone keeps the phrase familiar while fitting the harmony and breaking monotony.

What chords are in vi IV I V in Bb major?

In Bb major the vi IV I V progression is G minor, Eb major, Bb major and F major.

How do I transpose a motif around a chord progression?

Describe the motif in numbers from the chord root, such as 1 2 3 2 1 then the lower 5, and restart that same shape on each new chord's root using notes from the key's scale.

Practise it

• Melodic CurvesSketch a melodic contour, choose a scale and hear the line take shape.
• CantusChoose a root and scale, hear piano voicings, and move the same shape through different intervals.
• Piano classes at Nathaniel School of MusicLive online or in Bangalore, with a teacher.
• All free music apps40 practice tools for harmony, rhythm, ear training and more.

Related lessons

• How to Write a Melody on Piano Using Chord TonesTo write a melody over a chord progression, pick one chord tone from each chord (such as the third), play it in the right hand while the left hand plays the chords, then bring it to life with rhythm patterns that grow from semibreves to minims, crotchets and quavers.
• 10 Instant Melody-Writing Strategies for Pianists and ProducersTo write a melody quickly, Jason Zac suggests starting from at least two chords, using chord tones and landing notes on strong beats, building rhythm first, displacing beats, using the pentatonic or a smaller subset scale, singing and transcribing, turning practice patterns into tunes, and borrowing ideas from favourite songs.
• Make Catchy Piano Melodies From a Vocal Rhythm (No Fancy Theory)To write a catchy piano melody without much theory, first sing or tap a short rhythm, then play it on a few notes of one scale (such as A B C# D E in A major), break it into parts, and develop it by moving the left-hand bass through I, IV, V and vi or by shifting the same finger pattern to other notes of the scale.
• How to Write a Melody on Piano Using Passing and Landing TonesTo write a melody over a chord progression on piano, land on chord tones on the strong beats or longer notes, and use non-chord passing tones from the scale on weak beats and off-beats to add colour and tension before resolving.