This lesson will introduce you to the technique of incorporating a melody into a chord progression. You will learn how to combine many of the chords, runs and techniques from earlier lessons with a melody line to a popular tune.
First study the following simple melody. Aura Lee is a traditional French folk song.
Most Jazz fingerpicking arrangements contain the melody on the first three strings. Try the same melody as above one octave higher with a chord played on each chord change.
The final arrangement of Aura Lee plays a chord on almost every melody note. The name of the chord changes to suit the melody note. Other techniques such as bass runs and single note runs are also incorporated into the arrangement.