IFR blog > Practice tips > Unlocking your creativity > Is there a method for using the major scale in a melodic way

Q&A - Is there a "method" for using the major scale in a melodic way?

Hi David,

I am so enjoying your method. I am getting a good grasp of our musical system and I love creating my own music.

I am wondering if there is a "method" for using the major scale in a melodic way rather than playing the scale notes randomly? Thanks again for your excellent program.

Cheers,
Jack

David's response:

Hi Jack,

There's no method or formula for expressing yourself through music. But to compose beautiful melodies you first need to discover the unique beauty of each note of our musical system. You need to fall in love with these sounds and notice your own favorite ways of moving between them. It's this personal experience rather than any kind of method or formula that will enable you to improvise melodically.

I think a big breakthrough for you will be when you begin to recognize these same sounds in the music all around you. This is when everything will come together for you, because you will begin to see the connection between the raw materials you're holding in your hands and all of that beautiful music that you've been enjoying all your life. Once you've made this connection you'll be able to improvise literally infinite melodies and never run out of ideas.

Sing the Numbers 1: The IFR Tonal MapOur Sing the Numbers course will help you make this connection. I recommend this course to everyone because it's one of the most effective tools in our entire program. It simultaneously teaches you harmony, ear training and composing, with very little work or struggle on your part. You just put on the audio tracks, sit back and enjoy the ride. So that's something you can take advantage of whenever you're ready.

So my advice would be that instead of looking outside yourself for rules and formulas about how to use the major scale in a melodic way, I would encourage you to look inside yourself and focus your attention on your own enjoyment of the sounds. It's through this personal experience that you will learn to express the sounds that you imagine, and this is where your most beautiful melodies will come from.

Thanks for the great question!
David

Special message for beginners to musical improvisation

Special message for beginners

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This is a special lesson for beginners to musical improvisation. I'll show you how you can begin improvising right now as a creative and exciting part of your daily music practice.

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