How to Write Melodies for Songs
The melody is the part that people usually remember most about a song--that is, the hook. It is the part that people sing or hum to themselves, even when they don't know the lyrics. Writing great melodies is important if you want to write a catchy, memorable song. You can learn how to write melodies for songs using several different methods, from writing to lyrics to writing off the top of your head.
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Instructions
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Listen to as much music as possible, from jazz standards to glam rock hits. A brain full of melodic ideas will help you out in your quest for a great melody. Many songs are built on the same melodic principles, so a familiarity with classic melodic twists and turns will be to your advantage.
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Think of melodies all the time. Hum to yourself when you're standing in link at the bank or driving your car. Let the sounds around you and the feeling you get in a specific situation impact your melody. For example, if a police car passes by, you might let the whirring of the siren be your melodic foundation.
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Develop a theme with your melody. If you're trying to write a melody for a sad song, try to write slower-moving melodies. If you're trying to write a dance song, a faster melody is more appropriate. If you use certain certain melodic cues in the verse of your song, you can bring back some of these in your chorus to establish a motif in your song and make it more cohesive.
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Try writing to a piece of music. Some artists write their vocal melodies after all other parts of the song, like keyboard and guitar parts, have been written. This will allow you to get more of a feel for the melody needed, as opposed to if you just had the basic chord progression to write a melody over.
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Try starting with the lyrics. Allow the rhythm, flow and meaning of the lyrics to shape your melody. For example, if one of your lines is "I can't live without you," you don't want to rush to the next line. Instead, extend the length of the syllables and craft a melody that fits in with the sad nature of the lyrics.
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References
- "Songwriters on Songwriting"; Paul Zollo; 2003
Resources
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