The Secret to Writing Powerful Chords and Melodies

MY GEAR:
DAW (Music making software): Logic Pro and Ableton Live
Studio monitors (speakers): Yamaha HS8's
Headphones: Audeze LCD X (open back)
Camera: Canon 80d
Computer: Mac Studio with M2 Ultra chip and 2 TB hardrive
Midi controller (keyboard): Komplete Kontrol 61
Interface: Scarlett Clarett 2 pre
Desk: a cheap one from ikea
Chair: also a cheap one from ikea

My favorite plugins that I use the most:
XFER Serum
Sylenth 1
Nexus 3
Kontakt
RC 20
Valhalla Shimmer
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Shaperbox 3
XFER OTT
Fab Filter Saturn 2
Fab Filter Pro C 2
Arturia Pigments
Baby Audio Comeback Kid
Output Thermal and Portal
LABS Soft Piano

Hardware that I use behind the scenes but not in videos:
Elektron Octatrack (my fav)
Elektron Digitakt
Korg Minilogue XD

[AyrixMusix]

Hey Alex, I enrolled in the EDM Bootcamp a couple of days ago and I gotta say its already helping me a ton! It's provided me with better focus and structure in my songwriting stage as well as new mixing and sound design methods that I didn't know. Thanks a bunch!

[AlexRome]

Hey everyone, lately I've been working to transition from doing all 'clickbaity' videos into videos where I pick topics that I feel are important and fundamental to song writing and music production such as the topic I discussed in the video above. I'd love to know your feedback on this video.

[GTORT]

Stay with me. If I was a beginner I would've hated this video. The answer is that there is no answer, and as a beginner, you don't understand that. However, now as a passionate amateur, it really is the truth. You just have to put in your time productively. Plain and simple. Big shouts out to Alex for being real. Love your content.

[andiprogshop]

Dude, you're sharing so much valuable stuff, i couldn't believe it. I've lost my connection to the magic in producing somehow quite a while ago due to some losses and a rough time, but to see the love and the joy in your eyes when you're talking about how the tiniest details affect you, is absolute amazing

[sebastiankrau]

When I heard only half of the Melody of Silhouettes I directly got tears in my eyes :, ). Tim was such a great talent.

[frankphillips]

Legitimately golden information here. Short, sweet and to the point. I love it. Thanks man 🙏🏾

[latheofheaven]

Alex... all my life I've been banging on to anyone who would listen (not many) that harmony is the core of everything in music. Yes, rhythm is essential. Yes, melodies are the hook. But harmony is what provides the emotion - the tension and release - the weight.

Most non-musicians don't understand that, because they don't hear music as rhythm, melody and harmony. They just hear the sound. But anyone writing music REALLY needs to understand this. Harmony is the core.

[VikIsLost]

This video kicks ass and I have been mystified by the harmonies in Language since I started learning to produce 5 years ago. You breaking this down was incredibly helpful. Glad I clicked on this video!

[bitbotrecords]

amazing, so glad i stumbled on this. thank you.

[Sneakycat]

When the melody follows the chords it sounds good most of the time. What I mean by that is each note of the melody needs to match the same notes being played in the specific chord being played. You don't have to play every note in the chord but at least two of the notes. Then as the chord changes you will be changing the notes of the melody to fit the chord being played. If you play guitar and want to get good at solos just follow the chord progression with the notes.

[danic.]

Nothing but respect for a man who can produce music listening through 2 frying pans. Jokes aside I love all your videos no matter the subject, I always start songs like that, first the chords, then a melody, and then all the other elements and structure, nice video.

[JohnAmbercrombie]

Over 20 years ago, I stumbled onto this concept. I was trying to get a singer to sing a melody of a song over a straight done in the tonic key. I wanted to get that down and then put different things underneath it in the same key, just to prove out something to him. I just wanted him to humor me...he would not humor me. He thought I had lost it. Oh well...I knew what was up.

[zOZOOO]

Thank you Alex, this is such a great way to communicate this.

I think a layer beyond harmony can be frequencies. Because some of the best ear candy and subtleties are orchestrated along with the harmony. Whether from a mixing / instrumentation perspective, or even venturing away from western 12 tone theory.

[Syel_Music]

Alex is amazing!!! SO knowledgeable!!!

[brianhlp]

just wanted to say thank you man. you're really helping me up my game lately

[Addz-sr]

I love your videos Alex, you have a great way of breaking things down, truly inspiring, keep up the great work.

[helisoma]

just to say you are my #1 go to reference for music production as it relates to the creative side and you handle it so effortlessly...that being said yes it's a numbers game but i think that in a moment when you create a melody or harmony it kind of has a life of its own...and develops on its own as you add more elements...the first melody has a reason for being and i try to stay true to that first intuition

[lucastora]

I love the way you talk about music <3

[Triskaimusic]

I consider Alex my EDM coach. His videos are helping me a lot with my EDM production.

[RealDealy]

Basically, this is what Geroge Clinton used to do

He would do Jam sessions with different musicians, and singers, then keep what he liked for ONE song, but because he did so many mixes, he was able to put out so many albums from those jam sessions!

I used to do the same thing when I used to dj, turntablist style. You freestyle, then for some reason you come up with different patterns that become routines. Next thing you know, you have multiple routines you can do. When I did it at a battle, people lost their minds, but it just came from me freestyling routines after school