Creating Melodies

reticent · Post by **reticent** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:34 pm

Hey all,

So I have my bassline for my next song. Basically (ambient music) I have my bassline with a lot of reverb on it (not too much) around 90% wet and then I'll duplicate the track with another bassline with around 30-50% wet. My only issue is that I am having problems creating melodies. My first track (on my SC) was by chance.. perhaps it is just a matter of messing around until you find a melody that you enjoy? Any tips of tricks?

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:31 pm

Do you know any scales? That usually helps. If not, then it might be time to do a google search...

memes_33 · Post by **memes_33** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:48 pm

jam on it till something works. either you got it or you don't.

scales & theory help, too.

or try an arpeggiator if you got no skills on the keyboard.

lapieuvre · Post by **lapieuvre** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:56 pm

The one who writes the melody gets the credit of being the composer. The rest is arrangement. It's all about melody!!! It's what gives you royalties.

Listen to the best melodyists out there. Personnaly I think John Williams and The Beatles wrote awesome melodies.

antandra · Post by **antandra** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 2:27 am

Just play around and see what sounds good. You can also cheat by putting the scale midi effect on all your instuments, and choosing the same scale preset or making your own. Personally, I don't really think about the names of scales or chords much. I just listen carefully to the music, and choose notes that sound harmonically synergistic.

Nephew · Post by **Nephew** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 5:07 am

Mess with a tone matrix. Good way to get idea's flowing. You'll eventually learn as you go along. I had a very, very rudimentary understanding of music theory and how a keyboard actually worked. But now I have a solid understanding of how to move around a keyboard and am starting to learn chords and scales. Not the best player mind you but I can record my midi notes and adjust them as need be.

And if all else fails, get the Schwartzonator for M4L

= p

anybody human · Post by **anybody human** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:57 pm

Piano lessons will help anyone. Vastly underrated. Listening to good music helps also, especially when you were growing up.

Just jam out until you stumble onto something you like. I've been editing my improvisations to make something totally different out of the original idea I was jamming on, works pretty well.

Edit: I started taking piano lessons a few months ago and it's just been really surprising how much easier it's made songwriting.

reticent · Post by **reticent** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:08 pm

Alright great.

Also, can anyone point me in the direction of an actual piano instrument for Ableton? I'm basically trying to find piano keys, like an actual piano. Is there some sort of instrument in Ableton and if so what is the name of it? Or if there is a VST, could you hook me up? (Mac please)

Thanks!!

8TROW8 · Post by **8TROW8** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:26 pm

Simpler has "Acoustic Piano" preset which is good to get you going. Use the search function in ableton theres loads knocking around.

crumhorn · Post by **crumhorn** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:16 pm

Start with a very simple melody like A...B...C...B...A.... to establish your melodic direction and then embellish it by replacing a individual notes with 2 or more notes like A....B....C.D.B.G.A...

Do this a few time to create variations on the main underlying tune.

Some classical pieces are just a descending scale lasting about 2 minutes. There is a lot of embellishment but the underlying melodic idea is very simple.

digimixa · Post by **digimixa** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:57 pm

Create a chord progression and then add notes that follow the chords, then add some passing notes (which don't follow the chords) and you have a melody. It just takes some experimenting with different note lengths and positions. You can also use the bottom notes in each chord as a starting point for the bass.

jimmynitcher · Post by **jimmynitcher** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:13 pm

Separate the rhythm of the melody from the pitch.

Loop a 4 bar section (for instance) put in notes and silences randomly that span it.

When you like the rhythm select each note in turn and use the arrow keys to randomly change their pitch - change notes that don't sound ok with the backing.

It helps to loop each bar in turn.

or

Sing over the top of what you have written and try and replicate it on the keyboard.

mihai · Post by **mihai** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 6:25 pm

usually i'll get a semi-full melody just by listening to whatever arrangement i do have a few
times. at that point i'll play it then loop everything + melody to embellish and/or develop it.
other times i'll just muck around on they keys and i'll come up with something.

i'd say instead of stressing over what melody would work just listen to what you have and let
your brain go in which direction it wants, you'll probably have a much easier time then.

Creating Melodies

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