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"Create Your Own"

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Step 1 - Choose an augmented chord

Choose an augmented chord and hold it for the duration of a few beats or a few bars. For the purposes of this exercise, place this chord within the octave that starts with Middle C as its first note. (This is just a suggestion - you can start the octave at B or Bb).

We will position it in this register to give us of plenty of choices for the placement of our melody. With the augmented chord in this register, we can write a melody in the register immediately on top of this chord or as high above it as an octave-and-a-half.

Step 2 - Create the theme

Start to compose a melody that makes prominent use of the major 7th interval. If your opening chord is a C Augmented chord, then you will want to use the B note prominently in your melody. For the rest of the melody, you can use most of the notes from the C Whole Tone scale.

You'll recall that the augmented chord and the whole tone scale are closely linked. Just remember to use the whole tone scale with the same root as the augmented chord. (The C whole tone scale works with the C augmented chord).

Step 3 - Alter the harmony

In order to keep the melody interesting, change the harmony to another augmented chord. As stated in #1 above, you can hold your first chord for a few beats, or a few bars. There is no rule regarding how long you hold a chord before going to the next one. It is simply a matter of personal taste.

When you move to your next augmented chord, follow the same instructions for composing a melody as stated in #2 above. There is also no rule stating that you have to use only augmented chords for your harmony. It is simply a suggestion for your first attempt at composing mysterious music.

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Step 4 - Arrange a simple orchestration

After you have composed your melody and harmony, use a simple orchestration to bring out the notes. If you want your music to be delicate, the violas or violins can sustain the notes of the harmony, while a light woodwind such as the flute or oboe can perform the melody. A short harp arpeggio, playing the notes of the harmony, can be performed every bar or two. This creates a delicate and mysterious effect that acts like a glue between the melody and harmony.

Step 5 - Expand the dynamics

If you want the music to grow dynamically, you can have the French horns sustain the harmony while the violins play the melody. To heighten the drama, bring in the low basses. Have them enter softly, holding one note and crescendo to the downbeat of a new note. A timpani roll that crescendos with the bass note is quite effective. Add other mysterious touches to your orchestration such as flute trills and suspended cymbal rolls.