Specific question..

dbt · 11-04-2012, 05:00 AM

I'm working on an electro house/ dubstep track and wondering if anyone had guidelines that they set for themselves for melody? I've taken music theory (a music major) and I made this track in F minor and a melody is proving to be ridiculous right now. I have a chord progression but I just seem to be drawing blanks or coming up with some really cheesy crap.

I've been working on this track for a week and a half. I won't spam it here and wondering if anyone had any advice at all for minor keys specifically. Or does it not matter with major and minor keys?

I'll only send the private track to those curious. There's just this blank space for the break and I just don't like it being empty and it's driving me mental haha.

Evelon · 11-04-2012, 09:20 AM

The only real tip I have is - improvise.
I make melodies that usually have vocal phrasing, which naturally contain different rhytmic values (4ths, 8ths, 16ths, triplets, whole-note, etc), aswell as the important use of pauses/silence/breathing. Glissando and vibrato can also make things more interesting.
Sometimes more "extreme" intervals can liven up a more "arpeggio-like melody".

dbt · 11-04-2012, 02:55 PM

Would it be too much if I sent you a midi file of what I have and ask you to see if it is a melody? And a good one / what may work better?

Evelon · 11-04-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbt

Would it be too much if I sent you a midi file of what I have and ask you to see if it is a melody? And a good one / what may work better?

Sorry, I'm really busy with other projects. Only you can decide if your melodies are melodies (or harmonies,high pitched basslines, counterpoint or chord notes astray or whatever)

mrcold · 11-04-2012, 08:28 PM

If you are a music major, then you probably understand the technical aspects of making a melody. My advice to you is to keep it simple. It's easy to over complicate things. Use fewer notes rather than more, and use some internal repetition.

Dugg Funnie · 11-04-2012, 08:38 PM

Here's some solid advice on melodic composition:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click here to register]

Also, maybe grab yourself a basic book on composition, this one isn't too shabby: (also check out the other books in the series)

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Click here to register]

dbt · 11-04-2012, 10:20 PM

thanks for the responses!

I came up with a riff I think. but no melody yet. maybe I can think of one with the riff?