Module E · Infographic E4

Melody at Chord Changes

A sustained melody note held across four chord changes — watch how the same note shifts behavior at each change point.
Timeline — Sustained RE held across four chord changes
Stay Sweet
Turn Tense
Float Free
Sink Deeper
Melody
RE
Zone
Z1 Sweet
Z4 Bitter
Z1 Sweet
Z4 Bitter
Chord
G7
SO TI RE FA
C
DO MI SO
Dm
RE FA LA
Am
LA DO MI
RE is…
5th of G7
chord tone
outsider
non-chord tone
root of Dm
chord tone
outsider
non-chord tone
Stay Sweet
Z1→Z1
Note stays a chord tone through the change. No emotional shift — the harmony moves, the note is carried. Creates calm stability at chord changes.
Turn Tense
Z1→Z4
Was supported, now floating outside the new chord. Sudden forward pull — the safe note becomes searching. Best for pre-chorus energy.
Float Free
Z4→Z1
Was floating outside a chord; the new chord claims it. Sudden harmonic support — tension releases as the chord "arrives under" the melody.
Sink Deeper
Z2→Z4
Already tense — new chord makes it worse. Tension escalates at the change. Powerful for bridge climax; needs strong resolution to follow.
The sustained melody note is always RE — only the chord changes, producing four different emotional behaviors