Tips on Songwriting Step #4 - THE VOCAL MELODY

1. THE THEME
2. THE TITLE
3. THE LYRICS
4. THE VOCAL MELODY
5. THE ARRANGEMENT
6. THE PRODUCTION

The vocal melody is extremely important as this is usually what the listener will remember and hum whilst in the shower!

The idea is to create depth and interest whilst keeping the melody simple enough that most people can sing along to it.

The hook must be 'catchy' or 'memorable'. Take Elton Johns song "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word". Now if you know this song you will understand that just to read those words is enough to 'hear' Elton's vocal melody in your mind.

The vocal melody is simple and catchy enough to be memorable without needing to hear any music ... now that's catchy!

Always add colour: By this I mean create more than what is already there. If there is a D Major chord being played, try singing a note other than those in a D Major chord.

If the music has long chords, sing with a faster rhythm. If the chords are played low, try singing an octave higher to add more colour.

This technique of adding colour can be applied with the melody itself. For example, if the verse has long vocal notes, try switching it in the bridge to short rhythmic notes and change again for the chorus. Apply the principle of adding colour to your music and vocals to create a richer and more interesting melody.

Always ask yourself honestly, "do I lose interest at a certain point in this song?". If you do, rework the melody to give the listener something to keep their interest.

Go to the next part: Tips on songwriting - The Arrangement