How I write my MELODIES! (and how you can too!)
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- Опубліковано 18 чер 2024
- Hey guys, back again is a video of my composing process! This time however, it's a little more "educational," haha. This is all about how I write my melodies, and a simple way to think about if you wanted to try writing yourself! I didn't go too ham on music theory or anything; it's more of a 'pick up your instrument and have fun' kind of tutorial. I share some tricks I learned in school, as well as some of my own experiences.
Despite the video being a little shorter then my last commentary video, it did have some more structure, and I sunk quite a bit of time into it. Let me know what you think! I hope you enjoy watching as much as I did making it!
Thanks for listening!
The full version of the song featured in this video is now up! Check it out:
ua-cam.com/video/3YlbkFN9_4M/v-deo.html
Also, thank you guys so much for watching! This is my first video to reach 1000 views, which is so crazy awesome to me! It really means the world; stay tuned for more cool music stuff!
I enjoyed the video, because of that. I will add a like though I know thousands more will like.
Great stuff.
Lately my feed has been absolutely flooded with "melody writing hacks" and I gotta say, this perspective is like a breath of fresh air after all that. I think my favorite part of this was how non-technical it was - the formula is absolutely a useful tool that I'll be keeping in my back pocket, but the whole thing still boils down to improvisation, building on the ideas that initially spark (something I already *was* doing before being drawn in by the dozens of "one simple trick to write better melodies" content out there lol). Thanks a bunch for getting me out of that slump, this really helped so much!
I'm so glad you enjoyed!
And yeah, there is no exact "this note" to "this note" to make a perfect melody; it's all about patterns and having fun!
Wow a melody writing tutorial that actually mentions motifs, rare good video alert
As a very amateur "musician", I found your advice quite helpful. Thank you so much for bringing us an inspiring boost!
Glad to help! 😊
I was not expecting the result to sound so epic omg. You're great at making music
Thank you so much!
I wish I could like this video twice- once for the great advice and another for how fun it was to watch! I can feel how much fun was had making this
This is a surprisingly good tutorial, tbh. Good video, and new sub :)
To express what many of the commenters have already expressed this tutorial was absolutely a blast to watch. I love the approach I love the overall result and I love the anime/chibi avatar it just adds to the fun of the content. :)
I always struggle a lot more on finding the right instruments than making melodies, but i still learnt from this, Great explanation !
Wow, such a good insight. Great video! And your song reminds me of liquid drum and bass due to the chords and drums
I really like how you start with your melodies and I hope you make more videos!
This definitely makes me realize, as a beginner, two fundamental mistakes I'm making when I'm writing melodies, which is 1) Not returning to the root note enough 2) Not thinking critically and deliberating when programming them in the DAW
Cool video ^_^
Wow! Thanks youtube for showing me awesome channels like this one on my feed. Great tips!
Your video was incredibly informative and well-structured. It's amazing to see the creativity you put into your music and also in the editing of this video. Keep up the fantastic work
Very interesting video! I guess we tend to naturally construct melodies this way, but being aware of this technique could be helpful to break down more complex melodies into chunks easier to manage.
I love the lil cartoon girlie
Holy shit this has been such a huge help. Thank you so much you just earned another subscriber
presentation, repetition, variation and destruction is such a cool and fun way to think about melody structure as opposed to the more boring or confusing terms like aabc or sentence/period, etc. and i think one of the "traps" that exists for people is to worry too much about following rules instead of just using theory stuff as a jumping off point for experimentation, so i like the point you made at the end about not thinking about it too much! :D glad the algorithm recommended me this, subscribed + looking forward to future videos!
Thank you so much! I like to think of it without all the technicalities (despite studying it for years, ahaha); that way, we can just have fun and create!
Great content
so well done and concise! thanks for the tips
For those who want to learn more, it's called the PReVaDe technique.
Really?
@@airacristina2693 I just looked it up and apparently yes
Uy... Ehat?
Or is it Presuade method
I just wrote a simple melody with this formula and wow it really did help
I can't actually be sure if this was something that was already in my subconscious though lol
That's awesome, good work!! 💯
Just a tip don’t add too much out of place notes. What I mean by that is notes that are way higher than the original starting note or the note before it. and if you do add it make it fit. Great video.
Not a musician but just made some music and heard tips from others.
thank you so much for making this!!!! before seeing this, i'd been trying to get into composing music, but i could never get the melody to sound right. today, i finally made a melody that i am happy with! thank u so much!!
That's amazing!! 👏 👏
Your explanation of making melodies just made everything click within my head. Thank you for the awesome video and thank you UA-cam algorithm for pushing this video 🤙🤙
You earned a sub from me!
I knew aspects of what you discussed here but never quite put them together until now. Very glad I found your channel, this was a great video :)
So glad!
this is a great video!! it's not like the others i've watched where it's just "figure out your chords and then find a note to start with and then move around on your scale and around your chords"
i love writing music but i often struggle with actually posting things because melodies have always been the hardest part for me when writing music. what's shown in this video is something really every composer including myself knows, but it's still something we need to be told again every so often and i think you did it in the absolutely best way possible!!
i know you didn't wanna get into boring textbook and theory stuff (especially since they're really just for analytical purposes) but i think learning at least something can be helpful to any composer, because even though a person who knows zero theory can make pieces just as amazing as someone who knows every bit of theory, just simply learning the fact that something like negative harmony exists can really help with getting ideas more quickly
Thank you so much!! 🎶
Really enjoyed watching this!
This is one of those beats where they take mkw rainbow road and start freestyle rapping over it
Very nice tutorial. I actually never studied music theory but this does give me some ideas! 😁
Thanks
Yeah this video actually calmed me down quite a bit tbh xD i get so paranoid about music and feeling like i have to know everything about it to understand it and if i dont than ill never get good at it fast enough and blah blah
This is completely unrelated to the video but I just really love ur voice :0
Pretty nice, i liked this technique, cool stuff
I just found my courage to start with learning music and your video helped me gain some inspiration. I still have a lot, a lot to learn, but your video is a great example for me how to to unleash creativity.
Thank you!
That's awesome to hear, Best of luck!!
@@AuroraCompositions Thanks! I will return to this comment if one day I will actually make something acceptable and share soundcloud here. :D
the video might result a lil long and boring BUT if u are willing to watch it all(like I did) it actually gives you basically all u need to write nice melodies! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 💜
This is incredible Sam. Great video loved how well the video is put together. 🎉👍 very professional
Thanks so much!
Really great video! Thank you for making this! It was very informative and interesting, and I think it has helped me a lot!
Glad to help!
Yaay another insight! I truly appreciate how you approach the leitmotif, the overall composition and orchestration
The "Presentation - Repetition - Variation - Destruction" idea is kinda interesting, for me at least. One of many ways to make a solid melody and cohesive composition. I personally have different approach when it comes writing a melody (the old way because I've been taught at conservatory which taught the traditional way to approach a melody/leitmotif), but it's good to see another perspective just like yours!
And I also love how you put some ear-candy sound effect on the background like the laser effect, blinking sound. It adds some interesting texture into your music.
Would love to see how you approach the harmony on the next video.
Great video, Sam!
Oooh, that's so interesting to hear! I studied Conservatory for quite a while, but that was back in my "just piano" days, so I never saw much of its way of composing. I'll have to look into it to see what I can learn! 🎶
@@AuroraCompositions Well mostly some boring music theory and a few techniques of how to develop a melody, build a form/structure, orchestration, counterpoint, and many other stuffs. There are no exact rules, all of them are just a guide to write a good music. In the end of the day, you'll break all those rules and make your own music with your fresh idea and creativity. :D
@drazorleaf Yes exactly! 💯
Great stuff!
Awesome this is really cool! Thank you ^-^
I learned so much from this video tbh. Kinda wanna try makin a song myself but knowing me, I wont ever finish it and put it into the list of things that i need to finish 😭
Also that song is just SO GUDDD! (Please do upload it, i wanna listen to it on repeat 🙏🙏)
Its fun to watch you work. Not gonna lie, i was planning to have this video in the background while i grind coins in a game but instead i stopped and just watched :>
Awww, thank you so much! And don’t worry, the completed song will be uploaded next!
@@AuroraCompositions YESSSS!! 🎉🎉🎉
completely unrelated to the video but you seem like such a fun person
Aww, thank you kindly, my friend! 😊
Woah, seems like these styles of videos you are making are doing really well, look at you go!
Gonna try not to do a novel again haha
Honestly, my thoughts are pretty similar to what others have said, your style of explaining was great, pretty straight forward compared to following stuff to the book is a very good and creative of doing stuff! Presentation, repetition, variation and destruction!
That way of recycling and modifying patterns is something that applies not just to music, but most other crafts really, it is a good way of doing variation, keeping it organized and having some image to it, while not being as hard as following a formula!
I particularly liked the synth run in it, no particular reason why, simply thought it sounded cool!
The final work sounded amazing as per usual! And honestly, particularly amazing! It has so many energy, so many sounds fitting in together, feels like something space/wonder themed!
These videos you are making keep rapidly building up my desire to get the dust off my keyboard and try again, always had a bit of difficulty, my hands could never play different notes each, but that's just a silly little thing I could probably overcome with effort, still, my schedule's too cramped to get the thing back out of the box haha!
Well, if one were to take a shot everytime you said melody, they would take 15 of them, wow, way to make them faint!
I honestly think the video ended up pretty well! it was informative, educational, pretty fun to watch, had animated moments to illustrate importance on certain parts which is a good way of doing it, putting the words in the screen like the sections of melody writing (the PReVaDe stuff!) certainly helps the brain reinforce the information with the visual stimuli! Alongside that the more laidback, not talking in too much of a technical tone makes it a much easier and honestly human and friendly way of presenting all of the knowlodge! It's like learning stuff from a friend! It certainly is!
Great video, keep up the good work
I had listened in to the video right on its upload but only had time now to write, hopefuly it wasn't too much of a novel haha
Thanks so much as always, my friend! 💛
This video was actually really helpful, and I especially appreciate how you explained a little bit about phrasing too, since that's probably the main thing I have issues with. Really informative, definitely subbed after it
Also, I'm starting to see how sound selection is important for making songs. Do you have any recommendations for how to go about it (just like, general tips to whatever)?
Instrument choice totally depends on the part itself, since not every instrument has the range to play every single note available.
While not the most direct answer, I'd have to say just try a bunch of things for different parts, experiment and see what you like the sound of! The instrumentation and the sound they give will totally depend on the mood of the song!
Thanks !
shes just did a yabujin type beat
Really good video!
Omg I wanna be like you so bad... I've been always into drawing but now im also trying to learn music theory and stuff for start composing my own simple/basic songs but it's kinda scary getting started for zero, so thank you for this useful information!!!!🙏😭😭😭😭
The first step into a new hobby is always the hardest; You got this and have fun with it! I have more music videos planned if you're ever in need of some tips! 🎶
@@AuroraCompositions I would totally watch them! Srsly you are amazing, tysm🥺🥺💞💞
Great video! You have a new subscriber!
personally, i write my melodies with my brain
You are so underrated
Editor hot tip!
EQ your voice to lower the middle-low/bass frequency from the 200 to 100hz range
Your voice is getting oddly peaked by how much bass your mic picks up!
Gl in any future videos too
Oooh, will do! Haha, luckily I'm in Audio so I understand what that means. 😅 Thanks for the tip!
Your thumbnails are adorable. Do you draw them yourself? Also, consider getting a de-click software to process your narration to take out some of those asmr noises. Makes a big difference!
Yep! I do all the drawings myself, thank you so much!
And yes for sure; I'm new to doing voice-overs in videos so I'll hopefully improve the quality of them without all the asmr, haha.
Awesome video! I also love the little Chibi version of yourself that you got in the corner, it's cute.
Also, I know this may be a long shot, but I don't suppose you could give some suggestions for melodies based on theme? I make (awful) animations about an original Sci-fi series I made and I want it to feel like a mix of Borderlands, Sunset Overdrive, Fallout and Halo. I want it to have a Western vibe but also a VERY unique melody that perfectly captures the overall ambience of the series I'm making. I want something that's chaotic and hard but also futuristic yet somewhat western, something that sells the characters first and the overall Universe right after them...
I don't suppose you have any advice on that?
Oooh, interesting! Music stuff is totally subjective, of course, but hearing that description, here's an idea of what I would try:
Probably a really simple baseline/chord with low strings or low synth/sub. This will help with the vibes for the games you mentioned. For a Western element, you could try those classic string guitar sounds you hear in quick-draws with that very distinct woodwind you always hear when they shoot, haha.
I think because your genres are so different, you would probably want to keep it quite simple, but make it sound big with very little. I'd also sprinkle in some echoing elements for that very distinct melody line you want. I think keeping your melody within a small range of notes would also be beneficial; smaller interval jumps are great for tension of that's what you're going for!
Everyone has different ideas, and it's all subjective of course, haha. I hope that makes some sense. I think for your wide range of vibes, your instrument choice will say more about the themes. But that's just me! Sounds like you have a cool idea going!
@@AuroraCompositions I like that idea, I was thinking of adding a Harmonica but only as a fade in/fade out segment of the theme. And I 100% want it to be a unique melody, like you know how Apex: Legends has a theme that you can't mistaken or forget? Something strong yet simple like that, so even if you hear it in different instruments or even someone humming it, you'll recognize it.
I will try my best to compose a "Baseline" idea for a theme of my series (Not including all the instruments just yet) but at least so people can see what I'm aiming for.
Thank you again! You rock!
@@connerthewubbzler1062 Awesome, best of luck!!
5:10 - Isn't that the "Dies Irae?"
Run out of ideas?... just let the cat walk on the keyboard et voilà!
Vouch 🤙
Subbed 🥰
this reminds me of the old yt animators
Maybe obvious or in the video but what piano did you use in the main melody? + preset?🗣️🔥
Banger track btw
Thanks! The piano sound is Ableton's stock "Grand Piano Pad."
Your artstyle and oc resembles so much of my sister's that i was shocked and thought this video was hers XD
Considering she's also a musician, it's quite crazy how much resemblance she has of you, awesome work 😩✨.
I just have to say it lol.
Heyyy, I like music too! What are you doing rn?
Working on music of course!
I don't understand all of it.
i clicked on this video because I like music and cringy anime bs.
For someone that does music, your voice recording quality is pretty bad lol. You don't do noise removal or compression?
Haha, I know it's not great yet. 😅 Still new to doing voiceovers and trying to find some stuff to up the quality. Invested too much in the music stuff, I guess, lol!
@@AuroraCompositions Right, well if you need any advice on how to mix vocals, feel free to ask. I like to think I'm pretty good at it 😏
@dantepatel7909 That's great to hear! I'm going try cutting out the lows in my next voice-over with some free software I found.
I'm always open to feedback, so feel free if you have advice!
@@AuroraCompositions getting a good vocal sound is all about compression. That, and noise removal. For noise removal, you can use a gate like Fruity Limiter, but pros like to do something called Spectral Noise Removal. RX Audio Editor is an excellent tool that can do this- and a lot more.
For compressors, there's "clean" and "dirty" ones. "Clean" meaning digital and "dirty" meaning based on analog equipment (which includes small amounts of distortion). Distortion helps things cut through a mix, so dirty compressors (such as an 1176 or LA-2A) are great for vocals.
But, for the sake of a voiceover though, I think a "clean" digital compressor would suffice. Fabfilter has a nice one. The goal of compressors (if you didn't know lol) is to turn down the volume of all sound that goes above a threshold, then you apply makeup gain to all the audio. It attempts to make everything the same volume. Threshold, ratio, attack, release- all of those are parameters you mess with to control the sound, and then you finish it off with make up gain. Use it to make your softest words as loud as your loudest. TIP: have your music playing in the background as you adjust the compression settings.
If you wanna get REALLY advanced, look into multiband compression.
Horrible.
Dont get me wrong, i udnerstand your good intentions. But melodies can never be written intellectualy. It is like teaching a baby to speak by explaining to them grammatical concepts. A baby learns a language by primitive imitation. People that want to create great melodies need to trascribe great melodies from fmaous composers and sing them and memorize them until their memory is filled with them to a point where they can start speaking in melodies. And the brain will know on its own how to repeat patterns...it is not something that should intellectualized while in the process of creation because it will deter the spontaneoty of the singinging
That's a really interesting perspective 🤔 I've never thought of it that way!