Sooo... I hate this part so I'm skipping it... or not. I'm Paul and this is my lead guitar lesson regarding melodies and how to create them :) This lesson will only cover the basics of how to create a melody behind a rhythm track. Later on I will make a slightly advanced lesson :)

So how does one make a melody whilst a rhythm track is playing? Easy! Find the key of the song/rhythm/whatever and just play a few notes with it. So you've got a progression of F G and C. What will you play? You've got plenty of options but I will give an example with the Aeolian mode 'cause I adore the sound it has. Sooo let's do it in power chords

Just a note: I'm tabbing it in Drop D tuning.

E-------------
B-------------
G---------5---
D---3--5--5---
A---3--5--3---
D---3--5------

E---------8---
B---6--8------
G-------------
D-------------
A-------------
D-------------

So... what can we learn from this quick example? Exactly (for those who understand), the root is the ... root! Damn this sounds stupid but it's the truth, all solos and melodies to sound good MUST be in the key of the song/whatever. Now let's expand the melody. Same chords, different melody!

E--------------5---6-6-8-6-
B---6-6-8-6-8-8--8---------
G--------------------------
D--------------------------
A--------------------------
D--------------------------

You might've noticed but I kept within the key and scale (D aeolian). It's that easy, really!

As a whole this is the way to create basic melodies, for more advanced melodies I'll explain in due time. Until then I'd recommend you learn a scale and it's notes and practice playing over a rhythm track to find new and new ideas for melodies. Want an example of a good melody on top of a rhythm? Try out Mercenary - Isolation (Loneliness in December). Can't give a better example of simple melodies which sound great :)

Another tip I have for all who want to become better at creating melodies. Develop aural training. Meaning learn to recognize intervals and melodies by ear. Play each note on your guitar plenty of times until you can guess it just by hearing someone else play. Always try to find which notes are played. If you can't, there are plenty of tabs here. But the way I make melodies (and I make plenty of them) is that I listen to the chord played, I wait 2-3 more bars and I start off from the root chord and time it carefully to match the song's mood. From there one, let your creativity lead you :)

This is the end to the BASICS of melodies. Expect a more advanced lesson on melodies soon. Good luck :)