Creating a New Melody in Songwriting

Since there are so many existing catchy phrases already written, many writers think that it is a difficult task to actually invent a “new” melody in songwriting. However, the past and present examples should only increase the options in deciding how to craft your next composition. Creating solid melodies can be challenging, but not impossible.

Have you ever thought that every chord progression you think of has been used before? The probability of that might be high, but the notes, the rhythm, the lyrics, and the tempo are all things that you add to those chords in order to present a brand new arrangement. This makes the melodies you invent even more important. They are responsible for communicating the direct emotion of your words.

Again, the benefit that you have is the seemingly unlimited array of songs to learn from. By studying them, you can hear exactly which techniques work and why. Then, it is just a matter of adapting them to your song in an original way. Specifically, the idea is to have a series of notes and lyrics that match or support the overall mood of the music. And the mood reflects the initial inspiration for the song.

Never try to “force” yourself to write when you are feeling stressed or frustrated. It takes a relaxed approach to allow your creativity to flow in a healthy way and produce the best results. Let whatever inspired you act as your guide throughout the process. A good tip is to begin with a brainstorming exercise. Write down random thoughts in whatever way they enter your mind. Later, you can rearrange them, or use variations of them to form the foundation of the lyrics.

Say the words out loud and listen closely to the sounds they have. The melodies that “click” with an audience are often the ones that feature highlighted syllables or other characteristics. For example, if you think of the word, “save”, you are automatically drawn to that “a” sound it has. Varying the lengths of that syllable will bring more attention to it. When you look at each line as a group of words that all work together, you will know how long to make the key parts of each one. Keep singing the lines as you rework them until you reach a point where your musical intentions are delivered.

By enhancing the attention-drawing features of a line naturally, you are effectively writing lyrics that will connect with the listener on a subliminal level. Some of the greatest songs have “simple” melodies because they are the ones that people identify with and want to sing along to. Between practicing and listening, you will develop an ear for what will make phrases more catchy or inviting.

It all starts with a thought; something that motivates you to start the process once again. Always keep that first spark in mind and build on it as you write. The source of your connection with an audience through melodic notes is the balanced combination of knowledge, emotion, and inspiration.