Author Topic: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies (Read 16884 times)

varien · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2016, 04:47:26 am »

Quote from: Wontolla on January 10, 2016, 05:59:52 am

A bit more in-depth about rhythms and phrasing, thanks to Varien

Thanks for the mention, man! When I saw this post I thought I'd contribute, but looks like a lot of people covered it.

The main thing to drive home is that a good melody is not just melodic, but also rhythmic - work with simple 3-4 note phrases, as Wontolla said, and then build the rest of the melody off of that phrase.

Wontolla · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2016, 04:58:10 am »

Quote from: varien on January 12, 2016, 04:47:26 am

Thanks for the mention, man! When I saw this post I thought I'd contribute, but looks like a lot of people covered it.

(fangirl squeeing)

Tylox · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2016, 05:20:39 pm »

A good melody tends to not variate much more than an octave to an octave and a half (not absolute), which is why humming and singing are good tools for writing them.

Try experimenting with writing a cantus firmus (musictheory.net) for starters. Modern music isn't as strict with the rules, but it is helpful.

Rhythm is also important for a good melody. I found the following article helpful for getting ideas: http://www.jazzadvice.com/integrating-new-rhythms-into-your-playing/

Nadav · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2016, 02:30:37 am »

Think about creating tension and then relieving it.

Tension in music is created by the unexpected. A lot of good melodies create tension in the middle by landing on the 2nd, 4th, or 5th interval above the root note and hanging there for a second. Then the tension is resolved by going to the root note. To the ear it sounds "logical".

This will seem dumb, but think of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: the word "star" is on the 5th, and you know it can't end there. Your ear wants it to go on, and it's kinda happy when it gets to "are". But then it goes on, and when it gets to "high" it lingers on the 2nd. And it still doesn't resolve! The next line ends on the 2nd as well, with "sky". Only THEN, when your ear can barely handle the suspense, does the next line resolve back on the root note.

So, that's the template, now mess around with it, break the rules.

Cosmic Fugue · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2016, 01:08:32 am »

If you have chords, arpeggiate them. Sometimes you'll hear a melody in the arp (or just like the way the arp sounds as a melody). Or just remove some notes from the arp at random until what's left sounds good, and add some in-between notes if needed. Repeat over and over until you like it.

The EDMPROD post linked above is great too.

Author Topic: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies (Read 16884 times)

varien

Re: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies

Wontolla

Re: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies

Tylox

Re: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies

Nadav

Re: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies

Cosmic Fugue

Re: [Ql Creating (logical) melodies