Melody & Harmony Working Together
Every melody note has a relationship to the chord underneath it — either it belongs, or it's reaching toward somewhere that does.
Stable notes vs. tensions
Against any given chord, a melody note is either a chord tone (the root, 3rd, or 5th) — stable, settled, "at home" — or a tension, also called a non-chord tone: a note outside the chord that creates a pull wanting to resolve, usually by stepping into a chord tone immediately after. Neither is "better" — a melody made only of stable notes can feel static, while one made only of tensions feels restless. Good melodies mix both on purpose.
Two different workflows
Songwriters approach the melody/harmony relationship from two opposite directions. Reharmonizing means the melody stays fixed and you change the chords underneath it, discovering new emotional colors without touching the tune. Writing a new melody over fixed chords means the harmony stays put while you invent a tune that fits it — the far more common starting point for a first draft. Neither is more "correct"; they're just different tools for different moments in the writing process.
Where the strongest notes belong
As a general rule, the strongest melody notes — the ones on downbeats, held longest, or sung loudest — land best on roots, 3rds, or 5ths, or on a tension that's been clearly "prepared" so the ear knows it's about to resolve. An unprepared, unresolved tension on a strong beat is what makes a melody sound like a mistake rather than a choice.
Common questions
What makes a melody note stable against a chord?
It's stable when it's one of the chord's own tones — root, 3rd, or 5th — which sounds settled and "at home" against the harmony.
What is a tension note?
A melody note outside the current chord. It creates a pull toward resolution, usually stepping into a nearby chord tone right after.
What's the difference between reharmonizing and writing a new melody?
Reharmonizing keeps the melody fixed and changes the chords under it. Writing a new melody keeps the chords fixed and invents the tune on top.
Where should the strongest melody notes go?
Generally on roots, 3rds, 5ths, or a well-prepared tension — landing on strong beats rather than as an unprepared dissonance.
Hear melody and harmony together
Melody Monkey's Songwriting Studio lets you sketch chords and a melody line side by side.
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