LearnGospelMusic.com Community
Gospel Instruments => General Music Hangout => Topic started by: hugg on August 10, 2005, 04:41:41 AM
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greetings! i've always wanted to compose, and i've been learning theory. but i still can't make a melody, i tried playing notes on the piano, but nothing sounds good.and how do you combine , to know what chords to use for a part of a melody? :D
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Greetings Hugg!! If it's been your desire to write music, especially for the Lord, I believe that prayer is where it begins. My dad asked the Lord for songs, and God has given him over thirty songs so far!! He carries around
a pen and paper, and also a portable cassette recorder with a built-in microphone so he's able to record the words and tune at any time. My dad then plucks out the notes to the melody and I add in the chords. He's 75 years old now, and I'm blessed to see him writing songs for the Lord!!!
Sometimes it may seem really slow going, but keep pressing on and God will reward you... God bless you... Bro Allan
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hi! thanks for the helpful and inspiring tips! how do you invent a melody?
i don't practice regularly on the piano, but how do you make a melody?
does making a melody just come out? does it just comes to your mind, does it have to involve something technical?
thanks very muchand God bless you! :D
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Hi Huggs!! I'll share with you my experience in songwriting... First of all, I consider myself to be a musician more so than a songwriter. I've written 5 or 6 songs that the Lord has given me. Sometimes I may be at my keyboard and just playing some chord progressions and God will give me the words (melody) to go with the chords. Other times I have words that I really don't have a tune to, and then slowly the song begins to develop. I believe that these times are inspired of God because as I pour out my worship unto Him, the songs are birthed in a way that I can take no credit for. Once again, I consider myself a musician first, and a songwriter only because of the times that God has blessed me to write one. Many different ways God will use to help you write a song. The most important thing is that He is glorified, and that you don't seek personal gain . Honour Him... and He will Honour you...
God bless you richly as you seek to exalt His name... Bro Allan
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thank you again!
:D
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There are two common ways to write a melody. The first is to create a chord progression, loop it and then start singing (improvising) over the chords recording what you sing. Different musicians have different ways, but singing, instead of plucking at the piano is often considered better because singing is a much closer representation of you and your heart. In fact in most improvisation books, players are taught to practice playing what they sing because of this fact. And that’s why they say, “man that guy was sure singing”. One downside to singing over a pre-made chord progression is that some musicians find that the chords restrict there creativity and their flow and so they prefer to use the second method which is to sing/improvise a melody first and then create (or have someone create) the chord progression. Creating progressions is a whole new art form, so for now to build very basic chords off your melody, try this out. Just about any note you sing, can be backed with a I chord, a IV chord, or a V chord. Once you like a song, play it for a pianist and have him/her help you create more practical chords. Neither of the two methods is “better”; it just depends on what you prefer as a musician. I use both. The key is prayer and practice. Sing anytime you can, wherever is practical.
The second step which is especially useful when you need to generate ideas or are creatively stumped (i.e. the singing technique just ain’t workin’ today) is something I learned in my music composition classes. This method can also be used to teach you the very basics of music composition. Take a very simple melody (I chose ‘eye on the sparrow’), write it out and then create two or three variations of it. There’s an infinite amount of tricks you can utilize to turn an existing piece of music into a totally new piece. For example, take a few of the notes and sing it in different ways or turn it into the hook of a new song. Anything goes, so long as it sounds good.
Finally, there’s a good book out there that really helps in the entire songwriting process. Its called 6 steps to songwriting success by Jason Blume. It will give you hundreds of ideas on the process, including a long and useful section on creating melodies.
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agapehits, that's very useful advice, thanks.
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That is good advice, thanks. :D
Joy
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greetings! i've always wanted to compose, and i've been learning theory. but i still can't make a melody, i tried playing notes on the piano, but nothing sounds good.and how do you combine , to know what chords to use for a part of a melody? :D
Lets say you are Playing a song in E Major
Your first chord is E Major E G# C(9I think)
from what I have been told the notes of the chords are your main holding notes for the melody or harmony. While you are in the key of E and holding and E Maj chord you can use any note in the E Major Scale. You can also flat or sharp those notes to change the sounds. The notes other than your basic chords, are runing notes. Then lets say you go to a C# m7 after the E Maj. chord. C#m7 C3EG#B those are your main holding chords, and you can use the runinng notes in the E Maj scale to stay on key.
There are several ways in which to do this as I am learning.
1. Hold and E Maj. chord with your left hand
A. Play around with different running notes and holding notes in the scale. Also play different rythms,or notes beats.
2. Play around with just the chords for a while on the left hand
3. Play around with melody sounds on the right hand.
Either way if you can record one part, then play it while you are playing the second part it will help you train your ears to the chords.
But before you sit down to even try there is absolutely one thing you must do. If you don't you will become even more confused, and frustrated. Sit down and pray. Ask God to bless you with the understanding that you need to tak upon this endeavor, Ask him to grant you patience, to help keep frustration at bay, and for understanding. So that through you and what you learn, you may be able to bless others by the will of God.