Click here to read today's songwriting news and articles ... and you really should take the time to read this important article. It will show you seven basic songwriting errors, and how to avoid them!
STRUCTURE Melodies generally need to be structured so that they don't sound like an aimless wandering of notes, and melodic patterns need to strongly consider lyric at any given time. A later lesson will deal with form specifically. But for now, take this important piece of advice: melodies generally work well if you keep the following structural elements in mind:
SO WHAT'S THE RULE? The following activities are meant to do just that. Depending on the way you like to work, you may want to create a simple chord progression to accompany yourself as you create your melodic fragments. Write down or record your creations. You can read much more about how to construct good melodies in "The Essential Secrets of Songwriting." Download it today! ACTIVITIES for INTEGRATING LYRICS and MELODIES1. The following are short fragments of text. Try setting each fragment to several possible melodies. The kind of melody you choose will affect a listener's reaction. For each one, try:i)
Many repeated notes, for "determined"
quality;
ii) centrally-placed with melodic leaps, for emotional quality; iii) mid-range, and mostly stepwise, for narrative quality; a) You held it up like a dying flower. b) Sister Susan, tell me why. c) In the darkest hour of night. d) No one saw and no one cared. e) I answered the call. 2. Create a melody for the following text fragments. For each one, write a melodic fragment that could serve as: i)
A verse
ii) A chorus iii) A bridge (Note: Refer to Lesson 5 for refresher on structuring verse, chorus and bridge melodies.) Feel free to repeat certain words or phrases within the text if needed (i.e., for emphasis). a) I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? (Emily Dickenson) b) The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry. (Lewis Carroll) c) And I am praying to God on high, And I am praying Him night and day, (Padraic Colum) d) As their fathers watch’d them once, As my father once watch’d me; (Edmund Blunden) e) He who is waiting In the rain outside, He who is standing Where the dew drops wide. (James Stephens) ...on to Lesson 7 - CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHORD-Return to
The Essential Secrets of Songwriting-
I'd love to hear from you! If you find these lessons useful, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write me (Gary Ewer): gary@pantomimemusic.com ©
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