Andy
Birmingham
I'm paranoid about writing a melody that's been done before, even though I've been listening to music since the 60's. If you like a melody that lasts in your head over time however then go with it!
Keagy
I find it very difficult to create melodies without it ending up sound like a song I already know. I play a few chords which I like and think sound well together, but it always ends up sounding very similar to other pieces of music. Any ideas?
Nell
I agree with Mike -- a naturally attentive listener/would-be composer will sort of naturally absorb musical elements without having to consciously reconfigure "favourite" turns. Melodies in particular naturally command attention.
I'd advocate 1) listening to as varied a repertoire as you can manage, in a posture of love and 2) singing along.
(I think real keeners would benefit from singing in a choir, actually. It's a fantastic way to apprehend -- intellectually, and in a more "organic" way -- both melodic and harmonic structure. Plus, you're learning from the greats: you can't convince me that Thom Yorke hasn't loved Schubert!)
john powers/new york city
"A song's melody is based around the notes used by the chords in the chord sequence". i couldn't disagree more. in fact, melody stands alone. it does not need a chord sequence to make it work. on the contrary, in proper melody writing the chord sequence merely supports the melody. my advice to any aspiring songwriter is this. write a melody on whatever your chosen instrument is and record it on a little recorder. play along with it to determine the chords that accompany the melody. that will be your chord sequence for the song. i guarantee you will come up with better melodies this way as opposed to writing chord patterns first. not that writing chord patterns first is a bad thing, it's just not the same as writing a melody first.
Mike
"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." - I dont agree, listen to songs sure, but if you incorporate parts of those songs in yours, whats the point in writing the song? Take points off the song, then use them to make a melody of your own that way you might come up with something original, or mabye even breakbreaking! If it sounds different, dont worry, it just needs to sound good.
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