How I write my MELODIES! (and how you can too!)

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!

Пікірлер: 105

  • @AuroraCompositions
    @AuroraCompositions25 күн бұрын

    The full version of the song featured in this video is now up! Check it out: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZY2gxM1_fpzFZLA.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!

  • @TopatTom

    @TopatTom

    16 күн бұрын

    I enjoyed the video, because of that. I will add a like though I know thousands more will like. Great stuff.

  • @KitCabaret
    @KitCabaret27 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    27 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @carri0n977
    @carri0n97723 күн бұрын

    I was not expecting the result to sound so epic omg. You're great at making music

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    23 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @songotenks410
    @songotenks41019 күн бұрын

    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

  • @Dylanthestudent
    @Dylanthestudent17 күн бұрын

    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. :)

  • @nehmenia.
    @nehmenia.11 күн бұрын

    Wow a melody writing tutorial that actually mentions motifs, rare good video alert

  • @massimocorleone8179
    @massimocorleone8179Күн бұрын

    As a very amateur "musician", I found your advice quite helpful. Thank you so much for bringing us an inspiring boost!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    Күн бұрын

    Glad to help! 😊

  • @chronosean
    @chronosean22 күн бұрын

    I always struggle a lot more on finding the right instruments than making melodies, but i still learnt from this, Great explanation !

  • @RealLilC
    @RealLilC23 күн бұрын

    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

  • @Sam-tv5rg
    @Sam-tv5rg16 күн бұрын

    I really like how you start with your melodies and I hope you make more videos!

  • @conrad03
    @conrad0327 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    27 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @DIMITRIV_DJ26
    @DIMITRIV_DJ264 күн бұрын

    This is a surprisingly good tutorial, tbh. Good video, and new sub :)

  • @PalaHz
    @PalaHz25 күн бұрын

    Wow! Thanks youtube for showing me awesome channels like this one on my feed. Great tips!

  • @theWeepingDoe
    @theWeepingDoe10 күн бұрын

    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 ^_^

  • @RJ_Eckie
    @RJ_Eckie3 сағат бұрын

    I love the lil cartoon girlie

  • @zacoosca
    @zacoosca17 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @dominikotmianowski6943
    @dominikotmianowski69437 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    7 күн бұрын

    That's awesome to hear, Best of luck!!

  • @dominikotmianowski6943

    @dominikotmianowski6943

    7 күн бұрын

    @@AuroraCompositions Thanks! I will return to this comment if one day I will actually make something acceptable and share soundcloud here. :D

  • @TopatTom
    @TopatTom16 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @Luminn_
    @Luminn_16 күн бұрын

    This is completely unrelated to the video but I just really love ur voice :0

  • @FaithMariee
    @FaithMariee4 күн бұрын

    so well done and concise! thanks for the tips

  • @roburrito.
    @roburrito.5 күн бұрын

    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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    5 күн бұрын

    That's awesome, good work!! 💯

  • @unsightedmetal6857
    @unsightedmetal685727 күн бұрын

    For those who want to learn more, it's called the PReVaDe technique.

  • @airacristina2693

    @airacristina2693

    25 күн бұрын

    Really?

  • @zugrath16

    @zugrath16

    21 күн бұрын

    @@airacristina2693 I just looked it up and apparently yes

  • @BVK.

    @BVK.

    19 күн бұрын

    Uy... Ehat?

  • @JstJaybeingJay

    @JstJaybeingJay

    15 күн бұрын

    Or is it Presuade method

  • @augmentedu-turn5071
    @augmentedu-turn507126 күн бұрын

    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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    Thank you so much!! 🎶

  • @RAFA120HOJAZ
    @RAFA120HOJAZ16 күн бұрын

    Thanks

  • @D3LTAG1RL
    @D3LTAG1RL25 күн бұрын

    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!!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    That's amazing!! 👏 👏

  • @ALindaBlox
    @ALindaBlox13 күн бұрын

    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

  • @DregBread
    @DregBread14 күн бұрын

    Your explanation of making melodies just made everything click within my head. Thank you for the awesome video and thank you KZread algorithm for pushing this video 🤙🤙 You earned a sub from me!

  • @Nev_R
    @Nev_R26 күн бұрын

    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 💜

  • @drazorleaf
    @drazorleaf28 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    28 күн бұрын

    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! 🎶

  • @drazorleaf

    @drazorleaf

    28 күн бұрын

    ​@@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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    28 күн бұрын

    @drazorleaf Yes exactly! 💯

  • @JeremyCRoberts
    @JeremyCRoberts25 күн бұрын

    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 :)

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    So glad!

  • @user-jh8lu2qt4x
    @user-jh8lu2qt4x26 күн бұрын

    Really enjoyed watching this!

  • @Lukepuke311
    @Lukepuke31114 күн бұрын

    personally, i write my melodies with my brain

  • @TheCyfer-A
    @TheCyfer-A22 күн бұрын

    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)?

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    22 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @Cloud_x0
    @Cloud_x028 күн бұрын

    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 :>

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    28 күн бұрын

    Awww, thank you so much! And don’t worry, the completed song will be uploaded next!

  • @Cloud_x0

    @Cloud_x0

    28 күн бұрын

    @@AuroraCompositions YESSSS!! 🎉🎉🎉

  • @studderist
    @studderist15 күн бұрын

    completely unrelated to the video but you seem like such a fun person

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    15 күн бұрын

    Aww, thank you kindly, my friend! 😊

  • @666dreamboat
    @666dreamboat21 күн бұрын

    Great stuff!

  • @PirqtePig3742
    @PirqtePig374225 күн бұрын

    Pretty nice, i liked this technique, cool stuff

  • @abhijitshehri
    @abhijitshehri28 күн бұрын

    This is incredible Sam. Great video loved how well the video is put together. 🎉👍 very professional

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    28 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @maleficedark5060
    @maleficedark506026 күн бұрын

    Thanks !

  • @isaaclefleur8215
    @isaaclefleur82157 күн бұрын

    shes just did a yabujin type beat

  • @deltalaiez
    @deltalaiez16 күн бұрын

    Very nice tutorial. I actually never studied music theory but this does give me some ideas! 😁

  • @slugcatsu
    @slugcatsu17 күн бұрын

    Really great video! Thank you for making this! It was very informative and interesting, and I think it has helped me a lot!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    17 күн бұрын

    Glad to help!

  • @busoutsidearchive
    @busoutsidearchive26 күн бұрын

    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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    26 күн бұрын

    Thanks so much as always, my friend! 💛

  • @aardvark_04
    @aardvark_0416 күн бұрын

    Really good video!

  • @Hi_Im_Jeremy_Fishcer
    @Hi_Im_Jeremy_Fishcer24 күн бұрын

    Awesome this is really cool! Thank you ^-^

  • @Python000
    @Python00018 күн бұрын

    You are so underrated

  • @MayhemJack
    @MayhemJackКүн бұрын

    5:10 - Isn't that the "Dies Irae?"

  • @Blurmnt______
    @Blurmnt______18 күн бұрын

    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!!!!🙏😭😭😭😭

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    18 күн бұрын

    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! 🎶

  • @Blurmnt______

    @Blurmnt______

    18 күн бұрын

    @@AuroraCompositions I would totally watch them! Srsly you are amazing, tysm🥺🥺💞💞

  • @dutonic
    @dutonic22 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    22 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @GabeDelaSoul
    @GabeDelaSoul21 күн бұрын

    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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    21 күн бұрын

    Oooh, will do! Haha, luckily I'm in Audio so I understand what that means. 😅 Thanks for the tip!

  • @connerthewubbzler1062
    @connerthewubbzler106225 күн бұрын

    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?

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @connerthewubbzler1062

    @connerthewubbzler1062

    25 күн бұрын

    @@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!

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    @@connerthewubbzler1062 Awesome, best of luck!!

  • @mrsvyatis
    @mrsvyatis17 күн бұрын

    Great video! You have a new subscriber!

  • @Nagamugen-Axieathoth
    @Nagamugen-Axieathoth17 күн бұрын

    this reminds me of the old yt animators

  • @Sanretros
    @Sanretros20 күн бұрын

    Vouch 🤙

  • @SongwriterPorshia
    @SongwriterPorshia15 күн бұрын

    Subbed 🥰

  • @Kotizus
    @Kotizus17 күн бұрын

    Maybe obvious or in the video but what piano did you use in the main melody? + preset?🗣️🔥 Banger track btw

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    17 күн бұрын

    Thanks! The piano sound is Ableton's stock "Grand Piano Pad."

  • @ebanl9531
    @ebanl953113 күн бұрын

    Run out of ideas?... just let the cat walk on the keyboard et voilà!

  • @BVK.
    @BVK.19 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @sniglebits
    @sniglebits2 сағат бұрын

    Heyyy, I like music too! What are you doing rn?

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    Сағат бұрын

    Working on music of course!

  • @DrysimpleTon995
    @DrysimpleTon99517 күн бұрын

    i clicked on this video because I like music and cringy anime bs.

  • @dantepatel
    @dantepatel19 күн бұрын

    For someone that does music, your voice recording quality is pretty bad lol. You don't do noise removal or compression?

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    19 күн бұрын

    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!

  • @dantepatel

    @dantepatel

    19 күн бұрын

    @@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 😏

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    19 күн бұрын

    @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!

  • @dantepatel

    @dantepatel

    19 күн бұрын

    @@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.

  • @TheTeeProd
    @TheTeeProd25 күн бұрын

    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

  • @AuroraCompositions

    @AuroraCompositions

    25 күн бұрын

    That's a really interesting perspective 🤔 I've never thought of it that way!