PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Songwriting How do you write better melodies that are to be sung

You want a trick? Here's a trick that will (if you have some ear) "feel" like stepping up to the mic and singing more than not. It isn't better than other methods, but it "feels" familiar if you are comfortable sussing out melodies from chord movement.

TRICK:

If you have a key and a chord progression, harmonize all seven chords to at least the diatonic 7th--9th would be significantly better. This requires some base knowledge about how triads, 7th's and upper extension chords are built in a scale--it's more than just slapping a 7 or 9 onto the letter. (Here's the tasty part, though--it's likely fine if you do, for this purpose).

If you have the notes for each of the 7 chords written down now (just on paper, not necessarily on musical staff) and you don't know a lot of theory (like I don't), go here:

https://scottdavies.net/chords_and_scales/music.html

...and enter them. Click "find chords and scales" and write down the names of the chords that contain all your notes (and nothing else).

Now change all your triads to 7ths or 9ths. Heck, do it up to 11ths, if you feel frisky.

Open up BIAB (or grab your instrument) and enter your progression with maybe a jazz trio or quartet style. Doesn't matter if you aren't trying to do a jazz song--these cats will just play the changes.

NOW listen. Instead of just 7 notes in triads, you're going to hear them higher, lower, and in places they simply just don't show up when you're only listening to triads.

It still takes some "ear", but you are getting fed many more options about how notes in the scale can fit your changes and the experience is much richer. Your ear is going to lead you to places and notes you hadn't considered with less input.

Now learn the durn melody. Memorize it and commit it to recording. Now, you can go back and 1. Change the 7ths, 9ths, or 11ths to triads to fit your genre (simplify) or 2. find a way to leave your melody notes IN the chord underneath.

Yes, your melody will contain notes not in the chord (hopefully), but with this exact method, they will be in the key. If something still "clashes" for your genre, just adjust by a half-step or two, and it will likely work out in the same "flow", rise and fall, you came up with in the first place.

There are many variations on this theme possible, but this is the most "straight-forward". Your knowledge of theory may make a visit to the above website unnecessary...the concept is still valid--give your ears a fuller harmonic flow from which you can sing, scat, or play greater variety.

It will work in major keys, minor keys, modal "keys" and may well work in many 7-note "exotic" scales. It worked in the one I used.


SIDE NOTE: In a major key, a Imaj13 will contain all 7 of the notes of a scale. It's overkill (in my opinion) to harmonize all 7 notes of your scale to the 13th but it may be helpful to do it for the tonic.