How To Come Up With Catchy Melodies For Songs (BEST Technique!)

Learning how to write vocal melody can be a tough part of the songwriting process. Not only do we want to learn how to come up with an original melody, but also how to write GOOD vocal melodies. I have a method to share today, that just might be the ultimate vocal melody hack. I call the technique, "Melody Maximizer." This is something I started doing to come up with melodies for songs a while, and I'm pumped to share this workflow with you in this vocal melody tutorial. As I say in the video, I'm convinced this method will turn you into a human vocal melody generator!

To make a vocal melody for a song, I think it's easiest to write vocal melody over chords. Sometimes melody ideas can just come to you on their own, but often it's easiest to "draw them out" with some music already going. So to find vocal melodies quickly, spend your time dialing in an "initial vibe." This is that first piece of music you make, with your instrument or inside a DAW. For the melody maximizer to work its magic, I suggest you really spend time getting some music going that you REALLY dig. Don't rush through this. If the music you have going doesn't really inspire you to write anything... then how are you supposed to make good vocal melodies? It's way easier to write singing melody if what you have to write TO is super dope to you.

I hope this songwriter / producer tutorial is helpful, I tried to pack it full with some of my best vocal melody tips!

– Nathan

[aroyalz]

in 2015, I record a gibberish like this and I can listen to it even today, never bores me. now I need to make production on it. gotta do it

[itsCakeChan]

I was on the FLOOR when he started singing 😭😭😭

[thegremlinbrothers]

thinking of melodies as shapes is the best advice i've gotten in music

[HighTimeQ]

I knew about the gibberish method but I never thought about thinking of melodies in shapes. That idea is killer

[HollyJaneYT]

I'm a music teacher, and I'm always encouraging my students (and myself) to make music and write songs for nobody but themselves. My classical training has given me so many wonderful aspects of my identity as a singer, composer, and arranger, but I've struggled to translate some of those theoretical bits and bobs into a song-writing process that's accessible for everyone. You are my new favourite resource for songwriting. Love the clear explanations, the natural process that unfolds, and the vulnerability you encourage in just messing around and embracing the content. Honestly, cannot wait to explore your channel more. You're on to something, man. Thanks for sharing! X

[virtualjukebox]

Trying to get back into writing but the inner critique you speak about, is always louder than my inner child 😔.

[toxic_quality]

Omg bro your a legend🎉

I stopped writing about seven years ago and now im really feeling it

[jazzeclectikk]

This is brilliant! It’s not only given me inspiration to keep going but also opened me up to trying out a new flow!

[sickopierce]

You are great at explaining things man. I've been making beats and samples as a hobby for almost a decade now, watching beat tutorials since guys with white boards were explaining what leases were. The good old Soundclick days lol. You have impeccable delivery of insightful information, the metaphors, the positive and fearless attitude, the content. Just keep going with your channel, I really think you will go somewhere with it. And this is my first time watching a video of yours, so that speaks volumes 🔥

[tommitchell]

This video is amazing man. So incredibly helpful to break it all down into something that’s fun and enjoyable that you can play with until you discover what fits the best for you. Sometimes I’ve felt so much pressure and it’s seemed so daunting to sit down and come up with the whole thing in one session. And this is giving permission to play, break it down, and do it in a way that keeps it fun and inspiring. Thanks so much for making this video !!!

[igorvashkov]

The best freaking video on the subject!!! And I've seen tons of em on here Youtube. Those are really the tips I've been searching for. Thank you so much, Nathan!..

[DerenDemirel]

This is one of the best videos i found on writing melodies so far! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom 😄

[lacunae]

Great tutorial ! It is very inspiring to see the process. And I like your comments about the attitude, how the attitude is key, shutting down the inner critic and all that. I did not realize how much this was a problem for me.

[AscendwHer]

This is gold! I usually just come up with one melody then shut it down leaving me with basically a verse. The idea of just keep going is brilliant and the auto tune is smart!

[kmrrecovery]

Good video here brother. Was struggling with Melodie’s for a particular song of mine and just finally figured one out I love just by mixing and matching using your technique, Really appreciate you dude.

[txma.]

The idea of using auto tune as a reference so that your real vocals sound as good as they can of instead of using it to make meh vocals into something somewhat usable is something I never thought of

[FleurDelisFR]

This was awesome! I’ve been doing this for a while and I thought something was wrong with me lol thank you so much fam excited to see what else you have on the channel

[abbyblueco]

This was a fantastic tutorial and your energy is beautiful! Thank you for this

[djtreston]

I've been doing it this way for many years! cool to find someone else doing it this way as well.

[frankwas]

watching your reactions to your vocals is massively entertaining. 😂 keep posting more videos.