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,…
Set the key and scale early in the production process
Problem: inconsistent harmonic structure
Setting the key and scale early helps maintain consistency in the track's harmonic structure. In this tutorial, the producer sets the key to G minor, which provides a foundation for the melody, chords, and bass…
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…
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…
Strip down the arrangement to focus on core elements
Problem: arrangement feels cluttered or unclear
Simplifying the arrangement by removing unnecessary parts allows the producer to better focus on the essential elements of the track. This approach helps in identifying what's working and what needs improvement,…
Manipulate surrounding elements to improve a section
Problem: stuck on improving a section
When struggling to improve a specific section, consider how the surrounding elements can be adjusted to create a better overall flow. This approach encourages a more holistic view of the track and can lead to more…
Music is about having fun and experimentation
Problem: creative block or lack of inspiration
The speaker emphasizes that music creation should be an enjoyable and exploratory process. There are no strict rules or right answers — the focus is on discovering new grooves, sounds, and combinations. This mindset…
Use the number of scale steps between notes to identify major or minor chords
Problem: unclear or inconsistent chord quality
To determine if a chord is major or minor, count the number of scale steps between the root and the third. A minor chord has two scale steps between the root and third, while a major chord has three. This helps in…
Use chord notation to build new chord progressions
Problem: difficulty in creating chord progressions, lack of harmonic direction
By taking the first, second, and third notes of a chord and shifting them in the next chord following a pattern, you can build new chord progressions quickly. This method allows producers to create variations without…
Use simple patterns to experiment with chord movement
Problem: uncertainty in chord movement, lack of experimentation
Starting with a basic pattern and then building from there allows for experimentation with chord movement. This approach encourages a hands-on, trial-and-error method that can lead to creative discoveries. It's…
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…
Use triads to build simple, effective chord progressions
Problem: chord progressions are too complex or dissonant
Triads are simple three-note chords that form the foundation of many chord progressions. They are a great starting point for beginners because they are easy to understand and use, and they provide a strong harmonic…
Add 7th and 9th chords to add depth and complexity to your progressions
Problem: chord progressions sound flat or uninteresting
Adding 7th and 9th chords to your triads introduces more harmonic depth and emotional nuance. These extended chords are built by adding the 7th and 9th scale degrees to the triad, creating richer and more complex sounds.…
Adjust the 7th note of a dominant 7th chord to avoid dissonance
Problem: dominant 7th chords sound dissonant or unresolved
When using a dominant 7th chord, the top note (the 7th) can sometimes create dissonance. To fix this, move the 7th note up or down by one scale position. This adjustment resolves the dissonance and makes the chord sound…
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.…
Repeat rhythm to make melody memorable
Problem: melody not sticking in the listener's mind
Repetition of rhythm is a key factor in making a melody memorable. By repeating a simple rhythm pattern, listeners can lock onto the melody more easily. This technique is especially effective in genres like trance and…
Repeat pitch shape for memorability
Problem: melody not sticking in the listener's mind
Repetition of pitch shape is just as important as repetition of rhythm in making a melody memorable. By repeating a similar pattern of notes, listeners can more easily lock onto the melody. This technique is especially…
Use chord tones for safe and solid melody notes
Problem: melody clashing with chord progression
Chord tones (the root, third, and fifth of the chord) are the safest and most effective notes to use in a melody. They provide a strong harmonic foundation and ensure that the melody complements the chord progression.…
Use passing tones for smooth transitions between chord tones
Problem: melody feels abrupt or unnatural
Passing tones are notes that sit between chord tones and help create a smooth, stepwise motion in the melody. This technique makes the melody feel more natural and less abrupt, especially when moving between chord tones.…
Use leapwise motion for dramatic tension
Problem: melody lacks emotional contrast
Leapwise motion involves jumping between notes that are not adjacent, creating a sense of tension and drama in the melody. This technique is useful for adding emotional contrast and can be used sparingly to highlight key…
Use tension notes for dramatic resolution
Problem: melody lacks emotional contrast
Tension notes are notes that are not part of the chord progression and are used to create a sense of unresolved tension in the melody. This technique is useful for adding emotional contrast and can be used sparingly to…
Use stepwise motion to naturally resolve tension
Problem: melody feels unresolved or awkward
Stepwise motion involves moving between notes in small intervals, which helps the melody naturally resolve tension and return to a stable point. This technique is useful for creating a sense of closure and is especially…
Use two-note harmonies instead of three-note chords for simplicity
Problem: complex harmonies are hard to follow
Using two-note harmonies instead of full chords simplifies the harmonic structure, making it easier for listeners to follow and remember. This approach is especially useful in melodic genres like trance and house, where…
Repeat harmony notes for simplicity and memorability
Problem: harmony feels too complex or busy
Repeating harmony notes helps listeners internalize the melody more easily. This technique is especially effective in genres like trance and house, where repetition and simplicity are key to creating a catchy and…
Add a counter melody to create a conversational feel
Problem: melody feels isolated or static
Introducing a counter melody adds a second 'voice' to the track, creating a sense of dialogue and interaction between the main melody and the counter melody. This technique is particularly effective in genres like trance…
Sound selection is crucial for emotional impact and memorability
Problem: track lacks emotional depth or memorability
The choice of sounds and instruments significantly affects the emotional impact and memorability of a melody. This is a common issue for producers who focus too much on technical tricks rather than the emotional and…
Understanding chord progressions is essential for intentional melody writing
Problem: melodies feel accidental or unemotional
Chord progressions are the foundation of emotional expression in music. Understanding how different progressions evoke specific emotions allows producers to write melodies with intention rather than by accident. This is…
Use the scale feature in Ableton to create chords and build melodies
Problem: difficulty creating in-key chords and melodies
Ethan recommends using Ableton's scale feature to draw chords and build melodies. This is a beginner-friendly way to ensure that the chords and melodies stay in key, making the production process more intuitive for those…
Experiment with different genres to expand your musical range
Problem: creative stagnation, limited musical range
Rose Hall discusses how she spent 70% of her time making vocal trance but also explored other styles like bouncy trance and melodic techno. This shows the importance of genre experimentation in keeping music fresh and…
Create your own style to stand out
Problem: lack of originality, blending into the crowd
Trying to sound like everyone else can lead to being lost in the crowd. Pioneers like Avicii, Brennan Hart, and others created new genres by developing their own unique styles. This approach helps artists differentiate…
Use the FL Key MK2's screen to see what chords you're playing
Problem: difficulty identifying played chords
The FL Key MK2's screen displays chord information in real-time, helping producers understand the harmonic structure of their music as they play. This feature is particularly useful for those who are learning music…
Use the on-screen display to identify chords while performing
Problem: difficulty identifying chords during performance
The Novation FL KEY MK2 displays the chord being played on the screen, which is helpful for producers who are not well-versed in music theory or are collaborating with other musicians. This feature allows for better…
Use a minor key for UK house music
Problem: lack of emotional depth or groove
Minor keys are commonly used in UK house music for their emotional depth and groove. They provide a darker, more driving feel that is characteristic of the genre. This is a stylistic choice that helps define the mood and…
Use scale mode to avoid wrong notes in chord progressions
Problem: dissonant or incorrect notes in chord progressions
Enabling scale mode in the DAW ensures that only notes within the selected key are played, preventing dissonance and ensuring musicality. This is especially useful for producers who are not deeply familiar with music…
Add a perfect fifth interval to create a power chord
Problem: thin or weak bass line
Adding a perfect fifth interval (seven semitones above the root) to the bass line creates a power chord, which is a foundational element in many genres of electronic music. This technique adds harmonic richness and depth…
Use the root note of the track for baseline rhythm
Problem: dissonant or off-key bassline
Using the root note of the track (e.g., G sharp) as the foundation for the baseline helps create a strong, harmonic foundation that supports the rest of the track. This technique is common in house and trance music,…
Use the root note and thirds for chordal structure in synth riffs
Problem: dissonant or weak synth riffs
Using the root note and thirds in synth riffs helps create a strong and melodic foundation. This is a common technique in music theory that ensures the synth riff complements the chord progression of the track. By using…
Use a lead-in phrase after every main phrase to create flow
Problem: melodies feel disconnected or abrupt
Avicii's melodies often include a short, melodic lead-in after each main phrase, which helps guide the listener into the next section of the melody. This creates a sense of continuity and makes the melody feel more…
Use the third chord of a minor scale to inject happiness into a minor progression
Problem: minor progressions feel too dark or sad
In a minor scale, the third chord (which is a major chord) represents the tonic of the relative major scale. Using this chord in a minor progression can add a sense of happiness and uplift, even within a minor key. This…
Use two major chords in a row for a happy, uplifting effect
Problem: progressions lack emotional contrast
Placing two major chords back-to-back in a progression can create a strong sense of happiness and uplift. This technique is especially effective in minor key progressions, where it can provide a contrast and emotional…
Use upward-moving chord progressions for uplifting sounds
Problem: progressions lack energy or direction
An upward-moving chord progression, where the chords move in ascending order, can create a sense of energy and uplift. This is a common technique in Avicii's music and is especially effective in building tension and…
Align melody notes with the intervals of the chords for cohesion
Problem: melody doesn't align with harmony
Avicii's melodies often use intervals that match the chords they're played over. For example, a minor interval on a minor chord and a major interval on a major chord. This creates a strong sense of cohesion and makes the…
Use chord progressions that follow the contour of the melody
Problem: melody and harmony not aligned
Avicii's chord progressions are designed to follow the contour of the melody, creating a strong harmonic relationship between the two. This technique ensures that the chords support and enhance the melody rather than…
Use a pedal tone to stabilize chord progressions
Problem: dissonant or unstable chord progressions
A pedal tone is a single note that remains constant throughout a chord progression, adding stability and emotional depth. In Avicii's music, this technique helps create a sense of continuity and emotional resonance, even…