Step one is about isolating the melody and identifying whether it's in the high voice, middle voice, or bass.

To isolate the melody, look at the beams on the notes; they usually go in different directions and can help you identify the melody line clearly.

When playing the melody without accompaniment, focus solely on it to avoid getting distracted by the harmony or technique.

Step three involves singing the melody line, which is crucial because the voice is the most organic way we can create music.

In step four, analyze the piece by looking at its form and shape, identifying where the high and low points are, and how they affect the melody.

Step five is about giving the melody personality by adding dynamics, rubato, vibrato, and other expressive qualities to make it stand out.

As I move from the first string to the second and third strings, I subtly brighten the tone to maintain a cohesive color throughout the melody.

To help with playing melodies effectively, I've developed a five-step plan that will enable you to sing out your melodies really well.

Singing while playing can help you feel more confident and understand where the notes are in the melody, and to strengthen your melodic playing, it's important to identify where you breathe in the music, as it helps form the line of the melody.