Exercises in Melody-Writing: A Systematic Course of Melodic Composition, Designed for the Use of Young Music Students, Chiefly as a Course of Exercise ... With the Study of Harmony (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Percy Goetschius

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265446988 ISBN 13: 9780265446980

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2022

Synopsis

Master a practical path to melody writing with a systematic course designed for young music students. This edition offers clear, step‑by‑step drills that build solid melodic habits through repeated, thoughtful practice.

The book presents rule‑based guidance on creating coherent melodies, using major and minor scales, and exploring how phrases, rhythms, and tonal motion work together. It emphasizes persistent drill, hands‑on study away from the instrument, and gradual development from mechanical exercise toward expressive musical ideas. While rooted in theory, the lessons invite real composing and melodic testing in actual keys and measured phrases.

• Foundations of melody: coherence, unity, and variety in melodic lines
• Hands‑on work with scale lines, active vs. inactive scale steps, and phrase structure
• Techniques for diatonic movement, leaps, and the role of tonal resolution
• Modulation and key relationships, with practical exercises across major/minor contexts

Ideal for readers beginning or continuing a structured study of melodic writing, and for those seeking a disciplined approach to turning technique into musical expression.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0265446988
• ISBN 13: 9780265446980
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128