Any Melody Can Be Awesome - Ben Levin

Any melody can be awesome with the right chords and rhythm... as far as I can tell. It's a theory I'll always be testing, and I hope you test it too!

[michaeloliverio]

I love how this method takes the pressure off the composer to create a new melody. The music already exists, it just needs to be understood and contextualised.

[punksterbass]

"I'm just not that happy"

#relatable

[GuyNamedSean]

The end result to me feels like I’m finding my way out of a dense storm on the seas. I’m not safe yet, but I can see the sunlight beginning to peak out.

[ajadrew]

You've explained it so effectively with your end result sounding gorgeous...

[JimDooley]

Damnit. I'm trying to get some work done, but I can't pass this video up. Any melody? really? I have to watch.

[epiczeven]

Wow... That was amazing. Inspiring video, you turned a weird ass melody to a beautiful piece.

[Nyuu]

Whoa. I wasn't even that sceptical in the first place, but the finished product was still FAR above my expectations.

[boarderking]

That better be on the the next bent knee record. That was beautiful.

[AimeeNolte]

What a great idea and so well-executed! Maybe someday we can take your crusty music ears and pair them with my ginormous ones and make a 24 tone row with microtones. 🤔😝

[zachgalsky]

Imagine going in for a colonoscopy only to have the honor of Dr. Ben Levin showing up

[normantepeltu]

This is one of the best composition tools I've ever had explained. Can't wait to try it out!

[armadaparade]

This is the best education on harmony I think I've ever received. Thank you Ben.

[noveltyaccount]

whenever i am working with a melody that frustrates me, i revisit this video. cannot express how much this has helped me.

[gejugfeguug]

For someone like me who was really against using atonal concepts such as 12 tone rows in music, this really opened my mind to the possibilities. I always thought 12 tone rows sounded bad because all of the atonal music i have checked out so far have been jarringly dissonant and basically unlistenable for me. This actually sounds tonal in the context of the chords that you chose, but more importantly it sounds really beautiful. I was skeptical that this would turn out good but im glad that you proved me wrong. Keep up the great work ben.

[FernieCanto]

You can take a 12 tone row and make it "beautiful" through tonality.
Or you can see the 12 tone row as beautiful for what it is.

[Anatolat]

I used to use exactly these techniques in my compositions. Some weird things to try in addition:
-use functional harmony for your chord progression. The contrast between atonal melody and tonal harmony can be so unexpected
-use the 12-tone row as a bass line, and explore different chord qualities. The odd root motion can have surprising effects
- for added limitation, take two 12-tone rows (maybe one is a retrograde, inversion, or retrograde inversion of the other - avoid strict transposition, though). Put one as melody, and the other as root motion. Try to find some chord qualities that work

[ABCD]

Possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my life. Genius. Ben you are incredible. Thank you.

[quizbrennan]

Dude people like you are what brings music alive.

[arceom]

this thing sounds like my homeboy Debussy

[attuneu]

My current favourite video on music ever.
Thankyou