10

Most people I encounter seem to have the opinion that the definitive way is to first have the chords and then "mess around" with the harmony notes until one founds a desirable succession of notes, i.e., "melody".

On the other hand, I usually already have some melody in my head and so I try to find acceptable harmonization for it. However, others usually put me down for it and insist on the aforementioned method (chord first).

Is looking for the chord after having the melody that weird unusual? I thought it's natural as a lot of people do it anyway with existing music and it's even tested in music theory examinations.

Improve this question
1
  • 3
    I changed the wording from "weird" to "unusual" to make it clear that I personally find it as nothing weird.
    – RichN
    Sep 18, 2011 at 17:06

10 Answers 10

Reset to default
13

I think "hearing" a melody first and then working out a suitable chord structure is the method used by large numbers of songwriters.

There is no "rule book" for these things. Some very famous writers work up the music first and then find lyrics, some write the lyrics entirely and then work up an accompaniment.

Same for instrumental pieces.

Improve this answer
1
  • This question ended up looking more like a discussion than a question as there is probably no correct answer. I accepted this one anyway based on the vote.
    – RichN
    Sep 26, 2011 at 9:15
5

Sometimes it is easier to have a chord sequence and then work a melody around that, but very often it is the melody which you can create first and then work out which chords would fit that melody.

The thing about music that makes it fascinating to me is that there is no "must do" method of composing or playing. What works for you at the time is the right way to do it.

For me, I almost always write the melody line first, as I often write them in my head will running or at the gym, or driving. Once I have transcribed or recorded them I then work out what might fit, sometimes amending the melody line if I find a 'better' sound in the process.

Improve this answer
2

Historically, there were famous examples of "looking for the chord after having the melody" too. J. S. Bach harmonized hundreds of chorale which existed before him and you can get some of Bach's chorale settings here (according to wikipedia, "A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. ... Chorales were at first monophonic tunes (melody only). ... ).

So, no I don't think of 'looking for chord after having the melody' as weird at all.

Improve this answer
2

I don't for the life of me understand why people are putting you down for starting from a melody when writing music. I think music can get created in any number of ways, and that the best music comes from genuine "flashes of inspiration". If the method that works for you is to first imagine the melody, then stick with it!

By the way, melody -> scale -> chords would probably be the way to go.

Improve this answer
3
  • That's something I also don't understand. Whenever I asked a teacher for opinion, he would throw away whatever it was that I had and then force that method.
    – RichN
    Sep 20, 2011 at 4:40
  • @RichN: if a teacher does that, throw the teacher away. If you don't find one that accepts your process, then... well, better no teacher than to have your creativity damaged or even destroyed. That some is or calls themselves teacher doesn't impart infallability...
    – Jürgen A. Erhard
    Sep 21, 2011 at 10:16
  • You mean the method melody -> scale -> chords? I definitely didn't mean that to be set in stone, just that that is probably the "textbook" method. As Jürgen says, don't let anything/anyone stifle your creativity! Wise people point out that music is about learning the rules and then breaking them :).
    – andreasdr
    Sep 22, 2011 at 7:24
1

For me:

  • when i start with chords - this is for me a safe ground. I make up some nice progression, and there is easier to me to come up with suitable melody. (Although this method yields mild or balanced melodies sometimes)
  • when i start with melody - i often have a hard time to harmonize it, and searching for the right chords is more painful to get it right

Yet, i think my compositions with "melody first approach" seems to be more interesting, fresh, and awarding.

I don't really care what people will say about my method, or if they want to put me down. This is my music (as a processes and as a last product/effect)

Improve this answer
3
  • I think your answers clarify the issues that I actually have: chords first and then melody is, just like you said, easier but often I'm personally not satisfied with the result. Melody first is what I actually want to do, but because it's hard, I tried to find some help from books, the internet, and finally, teachers. And thus, the issue started. If I could do things the way I want, then I don't care about other's opinion. Sadly, it's not the case.
    – RichN
    Sep 26, 2011 at 9:25
  • Really i'm not always able to achieve results i want. I have some beautiful melodies, which have yet to white to harmonization, mainly because i failed to this at previous attempts. But i don't let my self to be put down by someone because i failed on this. I wish You good luck. And Remember there is never another musician like You out there, and that's is what matters, even if You're not able on all times achieve what You crave too. Again i wish You Good Luck and enjoyment from Your music :)
    – Hubert Czerski
    Sep 26, 2011 at 11:27
  • Thank you for your encouragement, but let me assure that I am not letting myself be put down, just that I'm lost as I don't know where else to go.
    – RichN
    Sep 27, 2011 at 14:29
1

When writing a poem, do you come up with the words or the metric and rhyme structure first?

Trying to enforce any particular order seems weird to me. Composition is an incremental process without inherent fixed order.

If you try breaking down how Bach worked on the Musical Offering, he obviously started with a melodic fragment, the motif. And then went through the process

Motif->counterpart->harmonization->counterpart->...

several times, often basing counterparts on the motif and other counterparts again. Naturally, a good composer is versed enough in these techniques that the creative process becomes a rather organic one and one cannot tell the various steps apart any more definitely.

There is no right and wrong way. But there may be more and less likely ways to get you stuck when you are at a certain skill level. But of course harder challenges may lead to more interesting solutions.

Improve this answer
0

Is it possible that you are not doing what you think you are doing and that really you do have chords in mind when you hear the melody, but only subconsciously?

So my guess is yes, it is probably unusual.

Improve this answer
1
  • Some times, but not always.
    – RichN
    Sep 20, 2011 at 4:40
0

I agree with others, I don't think it's unusual.

It may seem this way if most people you talk to, as you say, think it is. But: in a comment you say that it's "teachers" saying this. Maybe there's the rub: teachers (mostly) would have a degree in music, wouldn't they? And the academic music "establishment" (for want of a better word) seems (from my experience with people who got taught this stuff instead of mostly learning on their own) to be focused on a rather brainy approach.

Long rant shortened: academically, you start with "structure", with "think about what you build", and then fill in the details (melody being just a detail); you start with theory. While you want/tend to start with a... feeling? An intuition? And then construct the framework around and under it. Practice -> theory. While teachers are "indoctrinated" to do theory -> practice. You can replace theory with brain and practice with heart. Same thing.

I always think of a famous quote: "I play what I feel like playing. May other people think and analyze what exactly it is I'm playing, if that's what they enjoy. I don't care". Heavily paraphrased from a famous blues-man that I can't remember right now.

(Personal anecdote of being the only person w/o a theoretical background in music in a band of theory-minded people elided... ;-))

Improve this answer
1
  • Well FYI, I did say "teachers" in the sense that they teach music, but their qualifications varies, some don't have any degree in music.
    – RichN
    Sep 21, 2011 at 12:13
0

To suggest that any single method of writing is "the" method would be ridiculous.

Melody and harmony are, after all, two sides of the same coin (in a manner of speaking). Melodies imply harmonies, and harmonies imply melodies.

Improve this answer
0

Sometimes, I start with a melodic idea and sometimes with a chord pattern. Either seems OK. What's important, at least to me, is that I can revise either while composing out the music. I change key, rhythm, bass lines, melody, etc. as needed to sound good (or at least what I think sounds good.) I would say that revision is more important than what one starts with.

Don't throw away unused ideas though, make a note of them somewhere. When stuck for something to do, it's a nice list of things that seemed a good idea at one time.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.