Originally Posted by: SusanMWI have all the chords written (typed) out above the lyrics, but now I'll need to figure out how to pick the melody out.[/quote][p]This is essentially classical guitar technique. It's often called chord melody when applied to popular music styles. Because you play the chords & the melody together!
[quote=SusanMW]From what I've gathered from various places online I just look at the triad of what makes up each chord and pick it out from there.
In general, yes, that's a great place to start because most tunes use the chord tones of the chords in the progression. But there are also quite often passing or neighbor tones that connect the chord tones. It really just depends on the melody you desire. And since you have lyrics that sets a parameter on how many notes you'll need to match the syllables.
I encourage you to start with these 2 tutorials. I show the basics of harmonizing a melody. So it's kind of reverse engineering the process. I'm starting with a melody & then figuring out the possible bass notes & chord tones. But the process will show you how you can start to think about how a melody & it's chords work together in order to be an integrated whole.
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=166
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=167
I use simple nursery rhymes for melodies to make it as simple as possible. Essentially the melody suggests or contains the possible harmonies & chord choices. So, when you start with a chord progression you want to think about scale fragments that match the chords as they change.
Hope this helps. Please ask more if necessary! Best of success with your project!
