Clone a melody to create a variation for ear candy
Problem: lack of variation in melody sections
By cloning an existing melody and placing it on a new track, you can create a variation that adds interest and uniqueness to the arrangement. This technique is useful for creating ear candy that complements the main…
Trust your ears and keep the melody as the focal point
Problem: uncertainty about arrangement choices
The speaker expresses uncertainty about whether a section works with the melody but ultimately decides to keep it because they like the melody. This shows the importance of prioritizing the melody and trusting your…
Use chord progressions as the basis for your melody
Problem: melody feels disconnected from the rest of the track
Taking existing chord progressions and turning them into a melody helps create a sense of unity and glue within the track. This approach ensures that the melody is already harmonically aligned with the rest of the song,…
Match the rhythm of the bass to the melody for cohesion
Problem: melody and bass feel disconnected
Creating a bass line that follows the same rhythmic pattern as the melody helps unify the track and makes the melody feel more 'glued' to the rest of the song. This technique is particularly effective in Tech House,…
Glue comes from rhythm and good note choice, not just compression
Problem: track feels disconnected or unglued
A sense of 'glue' in a track doesn't come from heavy compression or other plugins alone. It comes from the fundamental elements of music: rhythm and good note choice. When the melody, bass, and other elements are…
Use Flex synths for creating the main melody and bass progression
Problem: limited synth options for creating a cohesive track
Flex is a powerful synth that can be used to create rich, layered sounds. In this tutorial, the producer uses Flex exclusively for the synths, showing how it can be used to create a wide range of sounds, from bass…
Layer brass and horn sounds with the main melody
Problem: thin or flat melody
Layering brass and horn sounds with the main melody adds depth and richness to the track. In this tutorial, the producer layers a brass sound with the main melody to create a more complex and engaging sound. This…
Copy and transpose octaves to create variations in the melody
Problem: monotonous melody
Copying and transposing octaves is a useful technique for creating variations in the melody. In this tutorial, the producer copies one octave of the melody and transposes it to create a more complex and interesting…
Use guitar melodies to add organic and melodic elements to the track
Problem: track lacks organic or melodic elements
Incorporating guitar melodies can add an organic and melodic element to the track, especially in bounce trance and funk-inspired genres. This technique helps create a more dynamic and engaging arrangement by introducing…
Start with the third note in a key for a good-sounding melody
Problem: weak or uninteresting melody start
Starting a melody with the third note of a scale (in this case, B in the key of G) often creates a strong and pleasing opening. This is a common practice in many genres, as it provides a sense of resolution and…
Use a continuous melody with changing chords and bass to avoid repetition
Problem: repetitive melody, lack of progression
Instead of repeating the same melody, keep the melody consistent while varying the underlying chords and basslines. This creates a sense of movement and progression, making the track feel dynamic rather than repetitive.…
Tease melodies with open cut-off and fade-ins for smooth transitions
Problem: jarring melody entrances, abrupt transitions
Using open cut-off and fade-ins when introducing a melody helps it blend smoothly into the track. This technique is useful for creating seamless transitions and ensuring that the melody doesn't feel jarring or abrupt.…
Shorten or simplify parts of the melody to add variety
Problem: melody feels repetitive or stale
Shortening or simplifying parts of the melody can add variety and prevent it from feeling repetitive. This is especially useful in sections that are repeated, as it helps maintain interest and keeps the listener engaged.…
Focus on one section at a time when experimenting with the melody
Problem: melody feels stale or uninteresting
Working on a single section of the melody at a time allows for more focused experimentation and prevents the track from feeling overwhelming. This approach helps identify what works and what doesn't before expanding to…
Use EQ first to shape the melody before adding other processing
Problem: melody lacks clarity or sits poorly in the mix
The first step in shaping the melody is to use EQ to remove unnecessary low frequencies that don't contribute to the sound. This helps the melody sit better in the mix and avoids muddiness. It's a common practice in…
Double the melody to add thickness and interest
Problem: melody lacks presence or impact
Doubling the melody can add thickness and interest, especially when the melody is played in a single voice. This technique is often used in trance and melodic techno to enhance the presence of the melody in the mix and…
Remove unnecessary notes to simplify and enhance the melody
Problem: melody feels cluttered or unclear
Removing unnecessary notes from the melody can simplify it and make it more effective. This helps the melody stand out and avoids overcrowding the frequency spectrum. It's a common practice in trance and melodic techno…
Test the melody in the context of the full track to ensure it fits
Problem: melody doesn't fit well with the rest of the track
Testing the melody in the context of the full track helps ensure it fits well with the rest of the elements. This is crucial for maintaining balance and cohesion in the mix. It's a common practice in trance and melodic…
Use automation to create space for melody lines
Problem: melody gets lost in the mix
Automating elements in and out of the mix can help carve out space for the melody, making it more prominent and clear. This technique is especially useful in melodic tracks where the melody needs to stand out without…
Tweak chords to better support the melody
Problem: melody and chords don't align well
Adjusting the chords can help them better complement the melody, creating a more cohesive and harmonically rich arrangement. This is especially important in melodic tracks where the relationship between the chords and…
Contextualize the melody by listening from the start
Problem: melody feels disconnected from the track
Listening to the melody from the beginning helps place it in the context of the entire track, making it easier to assess how it fits with the rest of the arrangement. This is especially important when making decisions…
Use phase shifting to subtly alter the melody
Problem: repetitive melody, lack of variation
Phase shifting can be used to create subtle variations in the melody, adding interest and preventing it from sounding repetitive. This technique is especially useful in sections where the melody is repeated multiple…
Experiment with different approaches when arranging the melody
Problem: stuck in a creative rut
There is no single correct way to arrange a melody — experimentation is key. The producer emphasizes that trying different approaches helps find the best solution for the track. This mindset is especially important in…
Add an arp as a background element to support the melody
Problem: melody lacks support, feels isolated
A simple arp can provide harmonic support and rhythmic interest to a melody, especially in sections where the melody is the primary focus. This helps the melody carry the track without feeling isolated or overbearing.…
Use automation to shape the melody and its surrounding elements
Problem: static melody, lack of dynamics
Automation allows for dynamic control over the melody and its supporting elements, helping to build tension and release. This is especially useful in sections where the melody is repeated or needs to evolve over time.…
Avoid repeating the same melody pattern three times in a row
Problem: repetitive melody, lack of variation
Repeating the same melody pattern three times in a row can make the track feel monotonous and predictable. The producer acknowledges this and plans to switch up the pattern to maintain interest. This is a common issue in…
Enhance the chords in specific sections to add interest
Problem: melody lacks harmonic support
Boosting the chords in certain sections can add harmonic interest and help the melody stand out more effectively. This is a useful technique in melodic techno and trance to create contrast and build energy in the track.…
Add subtle notes to enhance the melody
Problem: melody feels flat or repetitive
Adding subtle, sparse notes to the melody can enhance its interest and complexity without overwhelming the track. This technique is especially effective in melodic techno and trance, where the melody needs to be both…
Embrace uncertainty in the creative process
Problem: creative block, overthinking the process
The producer acknowledges that they don't know where the melody is going, but they're still experimenting. This mindset allows for exploration and discovery without the pressure of having a clear plan. It's a common…
Iterate through ideas without overcommitting
Problem: stuck with an idea that doesn't work
The producer is open to changing or even removing sections of the melody if they don't work. This approach encourages flexibility and experimentation, allowing for the refinement of ideas without being locked into a…
Use automation to build tension and release
Problem: flat or unchanging melody
The producer mentions wanting to 'ramp up' the melody as the section ends, indicating the use of automation to control dynamics and intensity. This is a common technique in electronic music to create emotional arcs and…
Experiment with omission to find what works
Problem: overcomplicated or cluttered section
The producer considers removing a section entirely after hearing it, which highlights the value of omission in the creative process. Sometimes, less is more, and removing elements can lead to a more focused and impactful…
Remove repetitive sections of the melody to improve flow
Problem: repetitive melody, lack of variation
Repetition in the melody can make a track feel monotonous. By removing or altering repetitive sections, the melody becomes more dynamic and engaging. This technique is especially useful in trance and melodic techno,…
Transpose bass notes for more interesting melodies
Problem: bassline is monotonous, lacks interest
Transposing bass notes by an octave or two can add variety and interest to the bassline. This technique helps avoid monotony and makes the bassline more engaging. By using different octaves, the bass can create a more…
Focus on arrangement structure to guide the listener through the song
Problem: monotonous arrangement, lack of listener engagement
Arrangement is about strategically placing elements like bass, arps, and melodies in different sections to create interest and movement. By varying what's prominent in each section, the track avoids monotony and keeps…
Focus on the textures of the melody
Problem: melody lacks depth or interest
The speaker highlights the importance of listening to the textural qualities of a melody, which can add depth and interest to a track. This approach helps differentiate the melody from other elements and can make the…
Introduce the melody early in the arrangement
Problem: melody introduced too late or unclearly
The first section of the arrangement should introduce the main melody so that the listener can become familiar with the core theme of the track. This helps establish the identity of the song and provides a foundation for…
Use variety in melodic patterns
Problem: monotonous melody
Repeating the same melodic pattern without variation can make the track feel monotonous. Introducing subtle changes or variations in the melody helps maintain listener interest and adds depth to the composition.
Add a short note between chord tones to create movement
Problem: static chord progressions, lack of movement
Instead of holding a chord tone for the entire duration, adding a short note between chord tones can create a sense of motion and interest. This technique helps bridge two notes smoothly and adds rhythmic variation to…
Copy and offset bass notes to create arpeggios
Problem: time-consuming arpeggio creation, lack of melodic cohesion
By copying the bass notes and offsetting them by a small rhythmic value (like 1/16th), you can quickly create arpeggios that follow the bass line. This method is a time-saving way to build melodic patterns that align…
Balance multiple melodies to avoid clashing
Problem: melodies clashing, lack of clarity
The track has multiple melodies that can compete for space in the mix. Finding a balance by selecting one melody to sit out front helps prevent clutter and ensures clarity. This approach allows the chosen melody to shine…
Use the melody ladder to structure your melody writing process
Problem: melody writing feels chaotic or unstructured
The melody ladder is a structured approach to writing melodies, with each rung representing a key step in the process. Starting from the emotional theme and moving through scale selection, bass line creation, and chord…
Define the emotional theme of your song before writing the melody
Problem: melodies feel random or disconnected from the song's mood
Professional melodies are engineered emotionally, not random. Deciding on the emotional intent of your song (happy, sad, melancholic) before writing the melody helps guide your choices in scale, chord progression, and…
Avoid skipping steps in the melody ladder to ensure a complete and emotionally engaging melody
Problem: melodies are weak or forgettable
Many producers skip the early steps of the melody ladder, such as defining the emotional theme and writing a bass line, which leads to weak or forgettable melodies. Following the ladder step by step ensures that your…
Use a scale to restrict your note choices and avoid dissonance
Problem: melodies contain dissonant or out-of-key notes
Enabling scale mode in your DAW limits the notes you can play to those within the chosen scale, preventing accidental dissonance. This is especially useful for beginners who may not yet have a strong understanding of…
Write a simple bass line to provide emotional context for the melody
Problem: melodies lack emotional context or direction
A bass line acts as a 'mini melody' and provides emotional movement that the top melody can react to. Writing a simple bass progression with three or four chords creates a foundation for the melody to build upon, making…
Focus on rhythm first before adding pitch
Problem: melody not grooving with the track
Most producers try to handle rhythm and pitch at the same time, which can lead to confusion. By focusing on rhythm first, you can create a solid foundation that aligns with the existing elements like drums and chords.…
Use the root note of the key for rhythm
Problem: rhythm not aligning with track
Using the root note of the key as a foundation for rhythm helps the melody align with the core elements of the track, such as the drums and chords. This creates a sense of cohesion and makes the rhythm feel more natural.…