How to Write Melodies: 5 Techniques for Viral Melodic Music

Table of Contents

1. Keep the Harmony Simple
2. Pick Out the Chord Tones
3. Syncopation Adds Intrigue
4. Balance Linear Runs With Interesting Skips
5. Have fun, and JAM!

Meghan Trainor may believe it's all about that bass, but it's really all about the melody! Without a killer melody, even the catchiest bass line falls flat.

That sequence of notes that fans hum while walking down the street is a major reason why certain songs are so catchy and go viral. A strong melody has the power to captivate fans, encouraging them to watch your music video over and over.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most challenging aspects of writing music. But fear not! There are plenty of techniques to help you craft beautiful and unforgettable melodies. Here are five techniques to help you write compelling melodies that resonate with your audience.

1. Keep the Harmony Simple

Harmony occurs when two or more notes are played simultaneously, creating a rich sound that enhances the melody. It’s like the supportive cast in a movie, adding depth and emotion to the lead performance without stealing the spotlight.

You may already have a chord sequence in your head that you plan to use, or it could just be a case of playing over a simple progression. Whichever way you go, stick to triads or even power chords. You can layer in a more exotic harmony once you create your melody.

California Dreamin' by The Mamas and the Poppas is a popular example of using harmony in a captivating and memorable way.

A part of what makes a melody so unforgettable is how the individual notes work with the underlying chords. Keeping the harmony as simple as possible broadens your note choice and widens your creative palette. For example, playing the fourth note of the scale over a major chord will have a different effect than over a fifth chord and further still over a major seventh chord. Sticking to simple chords allows the notes in the melody to breathe and will guide your harmony when complete.

2. Pick Out the Chord Tones

Nothing gives a melody a sense of belonging like the chord tones. These are the individual notes that make up a chord, providing structure and stability to a song. They’re the building blocks of harmony, shaping the overall feel of a progression and guiding the listener’s ear through the music.

The notes that make up the harmony are a melodies safe zone and allow the listener to feel comfortable and in control. So, if you are playing over a C major chord, pick out the C, E, and G notes to form the framework of your melody.

However, a melody that constantly sits on the chord notes is monotonous and doesn't seem to go anywhere. The trick is to balance these notes with other off-chord notes to create color and variety and add meaning to the unusual note choices.

3. Syncopation Adds Intrigue

Syncopation is when the expected rhythm of a song is disrupted by shifting emphasis to weaker beats or offbeats. It's an unexpected twist in timing that adds complexity and groove, making a song feel more dynamic and keeping listeners on their toes.

Melodies aren't just about note choice. It's possible to write a passage with just one or two notes and make it sound exciting and intriguing. The trick is in the melody's rhythm and, in particular, syncopation.

Add syncopation to your music by emphasizing unusual beats in a bar to create a more exciting passage. Put some notes where listeners may not expect them and include irregular rhythms to really make your listener's ears prick up.

But be careful not to overdo it! Like any creative process, the key is balancing order with chaos, keeping your listener engaged without overwhelming them.

4. Balance Linear Runs With Interesting Skips

Skips in music refer to intervals in a melody where the notes jump over others, creating a leap rather than a smooth, stepwise progression. Skips add energy and excitement, giving a song a more distinctive, lively character.

Think of any of your favorite songs, and the chances are that the melody will stay around the same cluster of notes with occasional jumps to add interest. Again, balance is important. Juxtaposing comforting sequences and surprising skips is what makes a line so enthralling.

It's rare to have skips in a melody of over an octave unless it links sections of the music together, although it all depends on your piece. Jumping too far can be uncomfortable for a listener, but there are no steadfast rules if that is your aim!

5. Have fun, and JAM!

It's all well and good knowing how to write a good melody, but you'll never know how it sounds unless you play it! Ideally, use a popular digital audio workshop (DAW), such as Ableton or FL Studio to record yourself jamming over a backing loop. Logic Pro is another great DAW we've reviewed here.

After recording, listen back, pick out your favorite bits, and put it all together to create your sequence. Over time, you'll find that your melody starts to come together into something coherent as you learn what sounds good and what doesn't.

The more you listen for melodies in music you love and practice adding melodies to your own songs, the better you'll understand which chords work for you. Over time, writing your own catchy melodies will become faster and more intuitive.

Remember, learning to write memorable music takes time. If it were easy, everyone would do it! But with practice, perseverance, and a deeper understanding of why your music sounds the way it does, you'll steadily improve your songwriting skills.