Return to article: How to Write a Melody
on 11/22/2005 Carry a notebook. Trust me, when an idea pops up, write it down. You don't want to forget! Have fun with it and keep working.
on 11/22/2005 Learn how to feel a musical phrase in groups of two measures. Once you have a two measure phrase, the complimentary following two measures will follow and you have the A section completed! The easiest way to compose a two measure phrase is to use quarter note activity for the first measure, then use a whole note for the second measure. Before you know it, you will have composed a 32 bar song!
on 11/22/2005 If you can play an instrument, play about with some chord progressions and see what you come up with.
on 11/22/2005 Typically, a melody will end on the same note it started in order to sound resolved.
on 11/22/2005 When writing your first melody write the G clef line first, it's easier than trying the melody and the bass at the same time. Then try it with the bass. Remember that it's not the bass the audience is going to listen for!
on 11/22/2005 make up something that is funny. Then, no matter how much your lyrics suck,it will still be cool..worked for me numerous times..
on 11/22/2005 One of the best chords to use in your harmony is the power chord. A power chord contains the 1st, 5th, and 8th intervals in a major key. It is used in rock 'n' roll quite often, but I think it has an even greater effect when used in a soft piano piece!
on 11/22/2005 It might give you some melodic ideas. Play the notes in the chords then let loose and jam on some riffs. Try to refine and mold the melody into phrases that make you feel a sequence of emotions. Once you have something you like, record it.
on 11/22/2005 Once you get a piece of melody, decide whether it is strong and sticky enough to be the chorus or interesting enough to be a stanza. After you get the first stanza, give the second a similar "mood" but with varied ups 'n downs. Repeat stanzas' melodies.
on 11/22/2005 When you're writing a song, write down a lot of ideas. Take all of your ideas and put them together. Pick out the ones that make sense. GoOd LuCk! ():)
on 11/22/2005 Especially if you're writing for a specific purpose, it helps to visualize a scene first, then let the melody come from the scene.
on 11/22/2005 Find a rhythm you like and walk around walking to the beat of the rhythm. Improvise singing a melody with the beat. Once you have a phrase that you like, go and write it down. Once you've done that, elaborate on it.
on 11/22/2005 I find it helps to carry around a mini tape recorder. Usually when a melody finally pops into my head, it is when I'm away from an instrument or some place that I can write out the music. Either that or, when the tune comes, try to keep humming it!:)
on 11/22/2005 Don't get too hung up on writing an epic melody your first try. Write something simple, then, once you get the hang of it, move on to something more complicated or expound on the melody you already have written. Have fun!
on 11/22/2005 Listen to solo classical peices. You will hear very prominent melodies. When it comes to getting the melody on paper, make sure you have decided on it pretty surely. Otherwise you'll lock up and forget it when writing it.
Copyright © 1999-2008 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Partner Sites
