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Songwriting Guides > Writing a song > Melody Songwriting Guides
Writing a song Melody

The melody is the tune of a song. In the best songs it can be remembered easily, hummed or whistled after just one listening. In popular music, the singer in the band usually sings the main melody, while the other performers play an accompaniment that complements the singer.

A song's melody is based around the notes used by the chords in the chord sequence of the song, and 'passing notes'. These are notes not included in the chords that occur between these notes. These help the melody to sound musical and flowing.

Your audience probably won't bother listening to your song at all if your melody is weak.
Steve Hillier

A song's melody is at least as important as any other component of your song. In fact, your audience probably won't bother listening to your song at all if your melody is weak.

Damon Gough Badly Drawn Boy
Writes by noodling around on the piano, building on a chord sequence when he finds an idea he likes. "My ear likes to hear melody."
Listen to the interview
Audio help Here are some ideas to help keep your melodies on the right track:

• Make you sure you sing your melody as you write it. That way you'll know instantly whether your melody works, or is pitched either too high or too low for a normal vocal.
• If you are able, try checking whether your melody is catchy by playing it on a piano or keyboard. Does it still sound exciting and fresh? If yes, then you have a strong melody.
• Some people like to write their melodies down on manuscript paper. This enables them to see the shape or contour of their melody easily and can be a guide to whether the melody is balanced or not. But it is absolutely not essential for a songwriter to be able to use manuscript paper and conventional notation.
• Do some studying! There will be plenty of great melodies in your favourite songs. Listen to them carefully, work out what you like in each melody and try to incorporate aspects of these in your own songs.

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