How to Write Catchy Melodies

If you're struggling to come up with melodies then this video should definitely be helpful for you. This has been probably the most requested topic that I've had since creating the channel. It's a difficult video to make because depending on where you are as a producer and what kind of music you make you may have very different issues when coming up with melodies. In this video I'll do my best to explain some tips and tactics that you can use to create melodies and make them good and catchy. This tutorial is mainly geared toward beginners, but I think it will be helpful to anyone struggling with melodies. Be sure to download the midi and text document to help you out.

9 Things to Keep in Mind While Writing Melodies:

1. Keep it simple and short (in most cases)
2. Make sure your melodies are in the proper key and scale (use helpers or ghost notes if needed)
3. Start with chords and come up with your melody based on the chord progression
4. Make sure to use different length spaces or silences between notes in your melodies to make it more interesting
5. Use different length notes to make your melodies more interesting (remember to keep it simple for step 4 and 5)
6. Try to keep your melodies in the same octave for the most part
7. Try not to make giant leaps between two notes too often
8. Think of your melodies as a call and response (can work in some cases)
9. Chorus or hook melodies can be more effective if they are higher in pitch than the verses

#flstudio #tutorial #melodies

[AnotherMonster]

This has been a pretty heavily requested topic and so I hope it helps! Also, be sure to download the midi chords and text document and use that as a reference if you need to!

[iamflawd]

these are the 9 tips provided in the text file: Keep These Things in Mind When Writing Melodies
1. Keep it simple and short (in most cases)
2. Make sure your melodies are in the proper key and scale (use helpers or ghost notes if needed)
3. Use chords first and come up with your melody based on the chord progression
4. Make sure to use different length spaces or silences aka "rests" between notes in your melodies to keep it more interesting
5. Use different length notes to make your melodies more interesting (remember to keep it simple for step 4 and 5)
6. Try to keep your melodies in the same octave for the most part
7. Try not to make giant leaps between notes too often
8. Think of your melodies as a call and response (works in some cases)
9. Chorus or hook melodies can be more effective if they are higher in pitch than your verses

[ABYAY]

I've owned FL Studio for well over 2 years and I haven't written a song in a year due to frustration. A game co-worker of mine showed me some of your videos and then I came across this. I personally found Sytrus as my favorite of the stock plugins for FL Studio so when I saw that a lot of content was on Sytrus I had to indulge in it. Not but 2 nights later I fully constructed a new song thanks to your tips, especially in this video. (That helper setup for the scale was a godsend.)

You got my sub. Your tutorials and demonstrations are spot-on and you deserve more notice in the music world.

[Inflightmuzik]

2:48 Thank you for highlighting that lol. I get tired of exposing this exact thing to people who watch/make "Secret Scale" tutorials. All you need are the basic major/minor scales. If your goal is to make modern western music, AKA top 100, keep in mind close to 100% of all of those songs, whether it's Country, Rock, Trap, EDM, Hip Hop, etc. are made with either the major or minor scales. Sometimes I'll use harmonic minor, but even that is incredibly rare compared to the other two.

[piewar]

I don’t have FL but I’m planning on getting it, so I figured I might as well dig in to the way it works and how to use it so that I know what I’m doing when I get started, and your tutorials have been very helpful.

[SuperNexus]

Fantastic tips! Loved the structured yet intuitive approach to composing tunes.. More power to you brother!

[tycho]

One thing I don't think he mentioned is to pay attention to which notes are in the underlying chord and which aren't. Notes that are in the chord sound really nice and stable, and notes that are outside of the chord are often used for more flare. You can even use notes that are outside of the _scale_ as passing notes or details, but in most cases it sounds best to limit those.

[hoppyroo]

A little bit cheating, but if I'm bored, or have no clue what I want to write... I sometimes dig up one of my classical piano or guitar music books and skim through a song or two until I find a catchy few bars... ( yes, some of them are very complex, but it's easy enough to just rip out some of the notes... :) )

And yes, I love throwing in the raised 7th ( ie, Harmonic Minor )...

[kabeats]

You dropped so much gems in this video💎💎💎

[djmarcbgroovy]

Thanks so much bru. Your vids have helped a lot

[jimmyzeng]

This is how I actually come up with melodies, step 1 go to the bathroom. Step 2 dance and sing random melodies that you never heard of before that is actually catchy. Step 3 get out your voice recorder and record your voice. Step 4 go to sleep and wait for tomorrow to make the song

[erven]

Even coming from a musician background, this stuff is great. Nice work!

[RealSpits]

Thanks for the knowledge fam 💯 it really helped!

[inshalmusic]

I like your vibe, super chill video. Thank you

[mercwiffamouff]

Didnt even know about the helpers lmao.... Very nice! I was like just trying to remember scales and such instead( which isnt a bad thing) Thanks dude. I love learning new things

[Deromusic]

You can also tell the beginners that if they put a note every three lines above each other they can create the chords that are used in the key

[Annie-bfic]

Hello. I need help. Do chorus and verses have any melodic relation or you just write them in different melodies?

[ryamsic]

Hey man really liked your tutorial! Helped me a ton . But now I have a problem with adding beats to my melodies, I just mess up every time and without that, the song is incomplete. How can I improve?

[trackmedixuk]

What did you add to the piano chords to make them sound slightly off. Almost sounds a like a modulated detuning ? Sounds real nice.

[d]

bro my fl studio doesn't show that shadow