Keep the rhythm simple, with most durations being equal to or longer than the duration of the beat. The final note should occur on a strong beat.

Every melody note should belong to the chord that is to harmonize it.

The melody should be primarily conjunct (stepwise). The shape of the melody should be interesting but clear and simple, with a single focal point as the highest note of the melody.

Avoid augmented intervals, ths and intervals larger than a P. Diminished intervals may be used if the melody changes direction by step immediately after the interval.

A melodic interval larger than a P is usually best approaches and left in the direction opposite to the leap.

When smaller leaps are used consecutively in the same direction, they should outline a triad.

In tonal music, ^ has a strong tendency to move up to ^. An exception to this is the scale wise descending form ^: ^-^-^-^. The only other tendency tone that needs to be considered is ^, which often moves down to ^, but not with the regularity with which ^ goes to ^.