How to Write a Catchy Melody
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- Music Theory from Beastie Boys "Sure Shot".
►FREE Book. Music is easy with this: HackMusicTheory.com/Books
►Songwriting & Producing PDF: HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers
0:00 Step 1. Scale
1:31 Step 2. Rhythm
1:58 Step 3. Contour
2:25 Final Example
Step 1. Scale
There are two types of catchy melodies: annoyingly repetitive ones you can’t stop singing but actually hate, and awesome ones that are memorable cos they’re unique. So, to write a catchy melody that isn’t annoying, you need to make it unique somehow. There are numerous ways to do that, and in this example we’ll be using two. The first way is to use an unusual scale. You see, our ears are so used to hearing melodies in the major and minor scales that they often fade into the background. By using a scale that’s more rare, your melody will instantly stand out. In this example, we’re using the Blues scale. So, to get the Blues scale, you start with the natural minor scale. From the root of A, that’s simply all the white notes. Next, you delete the 2nd and 6th notes. This gives you a five-note scale called the minor pentatonic. Now, to turn the minor pentatonic into the Blues scale, you add what’s known as the “blue note”, which is the ♭5. So in the A Blues scale, that’s E♭. And a quick shoutout to Beastie Boys, as this lesson is based on their song “Sure Shot”, which features that much-loved flute melody from Jeremy Steig.
Step 2. Rhythm
Another great way of making your melody unique is to use an unusual rhythm. And one of the easiest ways to do that, is to use triplets. So, change your grid to 1/16 note triplets. Next, write a cool rhythm on your root note. And to create variety, be sure to use three different note values. Also, use a rest somewhere, which allows your melody to breathe. And by the way, our tempo is 98 BPM.
Step 3. Contour
Finally, it’s time to create a melodic contour. So, change the pitches now by moving your notes up and down on the grid. And most importantly, remember to play the “blue note” somewhere, which is E♭ in this example. If you don’t play that ♭5, your melody won’t actually be in the Blues scale, it’ll just be in the minor pentatonic. And that’s it! If you need more help writing melodies, download our Songwriting & Producing PDF and follow the seven guidelines in our Melody Checklist.
---
ABOUT
The fast, easy & fun way to make music. Taught by Ray Harmony, a multi award-winning college lecturer who's made music with multiplatinum Grammy-winning artists, and his protégé wife, Kate.
CREDITS
© 2023 Revolution Harmony
Revolution Harmony is Kate & Ray Harmony
Script & all music in video by Revolution Harmony
Book promo filmed & edited by Maurits Nienhuis
Footage of Ray Harmony by Billie Woods
►FREE Book. Music is easy with this: HackMusicTheory.com/Books
Hello!
Triplets create an energetic feeling in melodies, first time I learned to use the triplet was when I wanted to write a shred guitar piece 😁
Hello Muhammadreza! I wanted to ask you what kind of music you're making or listening to these days? Hope you're having a lovely Sunday so far :) Kate
@@HackMusicTheory Currently I barely can touch my instruments, but I mostly play "mindless shred guitar" 😁
Nice :) Is it work that's keeping you from instruments? How's your business going?
@@HackMusicTheory Yes. I code all day :)). Business is fine.
Happy to hear business is good :)
Nice! I always look forward to your teaching and come away with great insights. I really liked your comments on choosing some interesting rhythms and to utilize rests. And best of all you have motivated me to explore some different scales today. Thank you!🙂🙏🙏🙏
Hi Charles! Happy to hear we've got you exploring scales today :) As always, thank you for your kind comments, and we wish you a lovely rest of your Sunday🙏 Kate
But, but... what about tea? :)
I know! At this point we're trying to keep things as short as possible :) But we'd love to know what kind of tea you're drinking! We'd also love to know what kind of music you're making these days? Tried out any new genres? Great to see you Cedric, we hope this finds you well :) Kate
@@HackMusicTheory :D Well, this is not authentic tea and purist might hate me for this, but I enjoy lemon/ginger flavored tea these days :) And currently composing lighter, summer music (tropical house for instance). Good idea to make things shorts, as long as we can still find some longer videos where we can see your motivating and encouraging lovely smiles!
Lol, well I'm currently drinking a lot of turmeric "tea" :) Thanks for sharing about your lighter summer music making, sounds like fun! And thank you for your kind words about motivation and smiles, it's always appreciated, Cedric 💛
Simply awesome guys!!! There are so many things that come to mind when listening to such ear catching phrasing like this! Thanks!
Gracias Jose!! Hope you have a lovely Sunday and we're wishing you a wonderful week ahead :) Kate 💛
As usual in your tutorials I can find unconventional solutions. The sounds of this scale sound intriguing and encourage me to create a melody different from what I have managed to do so far. Could you please give me some example chords in this scale?
Great little recipe... got inspired and wrote a short blues tune 🙂
Awesome, we love hearing this, Morten!!! Thanks so much for being here in the Hack Music Theory community, and we wish you a fantastic rest of your Sunday! Kate :)
thanks
Simple and very powerful tip, such a great lesson in such a short video! Thanks a lot again!
Merci, ReAKTIV! Nice to see you again :) Hope this finds you well, and we wish you a lovely rest of your week! Kate
loving this new format, jumping right into it
Happy to hear you're loving the new format, ngerfan & jihan! Thanks so much for being here in the Hack Music Theory community, we'd love to know what kind of music you make? Have a lovely rest of your Sunday :) Kate
It's bornig
@@HackMusicTheory we're a mediocre folk duo, our songs are available on our channel. We're more active with our other project at czcams.com/users/kicaubilau, which is also mediocre btw lol
Thanks for sharing, ngerfan & jihan :) Usually everyone starts out mediocre, it's practice and perseverance that sets good musicians apart. That you're here watching our videos shows me that you are willing to learn and keep getting better, and that's something to celebrate! Keep practicing and know that we're cheering you on in your music making journey 💛 Kate
Thanks, very helpful!
Thanks HAZARDOUS! Hope this finds you having a lovely April so far 💛 Kate
@@HackMusicTheory Thanks, you too!
So if writing that lead in a blues or indeed a Dorian scale etc, is it important for the chords and everything else to also use that note or should be rest of the composition be in the minor to provide contrast. I’m assuming it’s the former but interested to hear your thoughts on it.
If your lead melody is in the blues scale, then your chords (and everything else) will usually be in the natural minor scale. But yes, if you prefer, the chords could be in the Dorian mode. The chords can actually be in any scale/mode that includes the five notes of the minor pentatonic scale. Regarding the "blue note". Usually you'll only use that in the lead melody, not the chords. You could, however, use it as a decoration in any layer, if you want. But, it clashes big time, so be careful! Hope that helps. Ray :)
Right got you! That’s mega helpful thanks
What program do u use or recommend??
(If there's any free programs id really be grateful if ud recommend some)
Hello friend! We use Reaper www.reaper.fm but there are lots of free Digital Audio Workstations (DAW). Search online for "free daw" and try out a few. We recommend experimenting with at least two or three, cos DAWs are very personal, so you need to figure out what you like. Hope that helps, and thanks for stopping by :)
Could you do an example melody based on Dick Dale's "Misirlou"?
Hi Sam, thanks so much for stopping by! That would definitely be fun, we'll add it to the list :) We're grateful you're here in the Hack Music Theory community, and we wish you a lovely rest of your Sunday! Kate
@@HackMusicTheory , glad to hear it. Have a wonderful day!
No TEA ?? lol Love the insightful Lessons. Thanks Kate & Ray.
I know, right?! What kind of tea are you drinking these days, Bill? Also, we'd love to hear some music from you in the network ;) Hope this finds you happy, and we wish you a lovely rest of your Sunday! Kate 💛
@@HackMusicTheory I am drinking Chai tea and Green Tea with some honey and lemon. I know I need to post some music. I will work on it. Thanks Kate. Tell Ray hello.
Yum, thanks for sharing! And we look forward to hearing what you come up with, Bill :)
Ray says hello back!
Nice! Make a tutorial on KSHMR chords and melody Aka how KSHMR makes chords and melodies
Hi Amɘn, hope this finds you well! We'll check them out :) Take care and have a lovely rest of your Sunday, Kate :)
Hi Kate & Ray! Catching up!
Awesome, Andrei, great to see you! Did you get the notification for this one? We were sad to hear you were missing out. How's your music making going these days? Hoping this finds you doing really well, Kate :)
@@HackMusicTheory Yes, got the notification this time. Music making is going ok, I would say, not too great, but still I manage to do something on a regular basis!
Happy to hear you're managing to make music on a regular basis, Andrei, that's the main thing. It keeps you practicing! Also glad to hear you received the notification :) Wishing you and your family a wonderful week ahead! K
A video on G Jones would be cool
Hi Joseph! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know who you'd like us to hack, we'll check them out :) Take care and have a lovely rest of your week!
Hack Quicksand please.
👍 - _also_ for the YT algo! 😊
Thanks Jost! Hope you're having a great week!
Where is the intro? Remember unity and variety have to be equal
Hey chris, great to see you again, hope this finds you well :) Have a great rest of your Sunday!
You should surely hack MJ Cole
Hi B1nary S010! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know who you'd like us to hack, we'll check him out :) We're so grateful you've been here for so long in the Hack Music Theory community 🙏 Take care and have a lovely rest of your weekend! Kate
I have been watching your stuff for years and like it. I used to like it when the phone got thrown in the intros... What shocked me today was some copycats doing your same style. I think they call it flips or flip 1 flip 2 instead of tip 1 tip 2. It made me feel sick that they would have the audacity to so blatantly copy your style. Goes against all the rules of musicians... Mmm trapped myself here. Everyone borrows and copies. Only the legends do something new, but that is often copying a trick from a different genre or era.... Ohh well..
You're exceptionally kind, my friend, a heartfelt thank-you for being here in the community. By the way, if you wanna check out the new PDF tutorials we're doing, please make sure you're on our mailing list. You can sign up here by downloading our free book: hackmusictheory.com/books Thanks again! Ray :)