Creating Musical Phrases
Build melodies using stability patterns
🎯 Practice it: Which Scale Degree? →The Stability Pattern
Great melodies often follow a simple pattern:
→ Start on stable notes (1, 3, 5)
→ Move to less stable notes (2, 4, 6)
→ Create tension with 7
→ Resolve back to stable notes
Train your ear with these drills
▸ Read the full lesson as text
The Stability Pattern
Great melodies often follow a simple pattern:
→ Start on stable notes (1, 3, 5)
→ Move to less stable notes (2, 4, 6)
→ Create tension with 7
→ Resolve back to stable notes
Hear the Pattern
Listen to these examples. Notice how each one builds tension and then resolves.
5 → 6 → 7 → 1 (The Classic Resolution)
Starting from the 5th, climbing through tension to home.
3 → 4 → 7 → 1 (Stepping Down First)
From the stable 3rd, moving through 4 before the 7→1 resolution.
1 → 2 → 7 → 1 (Full Circle)
Starting and ending on home, with tension in between.
Create Your Own
Now it's your turn! Tap each circle to pick a note, then press play to hear your melody.
Resolution Pulls in Music
The patterns you just created tap into the same pulls that make great melodies memorable:
• 7 → 1: The strongest pull — the leading tone
• 2 → 1: A gentle step home
• 4 → 3: Lyrical, flowing resolution
Listen for these in your favorite songs!