How to Generate Melodies for Different Music Genres

Differing styles of melodies

It’s quite clear, from listening to the examples above, that not all music genres share a similar style of melody. For example, dance music tends to have a shorter, more repetitive melody than a ballad or rock song. That said, even the most different music genres retain some similarities when it comes to creating a melody.

Let’s take a look at how we can approach writing a melody for different music genres.

EDM/Electronic

Creating a melody for an EDM or electronic style song requires a mix of creativity, technical knowledge, and musical intuition.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Start with a beat: Choose a basic beat that fits your desired tempo and sub-genre. This beat will serve as the foundation for your melody.

2. Experiment with sounds: Play around with different synth sounds and instruments to find ones that complement your beat and match the mood you’re trying to create.

3. Brainstorm melodies: Jot down any musical ideas that come to mind, no matter how simple or complex they may be. Use these ideas as a starting point for developing your melody. Refine your melody: Work on your melody, refining and tweaking it until it feels right.

4. Experiment with different notes, harmonies, and rhythm patterns to add interest and dimension to your melody. For more ‘Underground’ sub-genres, try keeping the harmony simple using only one or two chords.

5. Repetition is your friend: Electronic music is all about creating hypnotic repetition. Try repeating a short one-measure call and response melody and keep it evolving by modulating the sound, rather than the actual notes.

6. Add effects: Consider adding effects such as reverb, delay, and distortion to your melody to enhance its impact and create a unique sound.

7. Incorporate the melody into your song: Once your melody is complete, add it to your beat, and build the rest of your song around it.

Remember, the process of creating a melody is highly creative and subjective. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things until you’re satisfied with the result. The key is to keep practicing and refining your skills, and eventually, you’ll develop your own unique style.

Another tip for writing melodies for EDM or Electronic genres, is to analyze other music that you like. We did exactly this when creating the Futurism Vol 1. Styles pack for Pilot Plugins.

This is why Pilot Plugins can generate such great sounding melodies, because we taught it what great melodies should sound like.

Pop Music

Creating a melody for a pop song requires a strong understanding of musical structure, as well as a good ear for catchy, memorable melodies.

1. Start with a chord progression: Choose a chord progression that fits your desired mood and energy level. This progression will serve as the harmony for your melody.

2.Experiment with melodies: Hum or sing along to your chord progression to find a melody that fits. Jot down any musical ideas that come to mind, no matter how simple or complex they may be.

3.Refine your melody: Work on your melody, refining and tweaking it until it feels right. Experiment with different notes, harmonies, and rhythm patterns to add interest and dimension to your melody.

4.Think about the lyrics: If you’re writing a song with lyrics, consider how your melody will work with the lyrics. A good melody should complement and enhance the message of the lyrics.

5.Keep it simple: Pop music is often characterized by its simplicity and catchiness, so try to keep your melody straightforward and memorable. A memorable melody is the most important component of a pop song.

6.Incorporate the melody into your song: Once your melody is complete, add it to your chord progression, and build the rest of your song around it.

Country

Creating a melody for a country song requires a strong understanding of traditional country music, as well as a good ear for storytelling and emotion. It’s also similar to Pop music in several ways, with many Country artists crossing over into mainstream Pop music.

1. Start with a chord progression: Choose a chord progression that fits your desired mood and energy level. Similar to Pop music, this progression will serve as the harmony for your melody.

2. Think about the story: Country music is often driven by storytelling, so consider what story you want to tell with your song, and how your melody can support and enhance that story.

3. Experiment with melodies: Hum or sing along to your chord progression to find a melody that fits. Jot down any musical ideas that come to mind, no matter how simple or complex they may be.

4. Refine your melody: Work on your melody, refining and tweaking it until it feels right. Experiment with different notes, harmonies, and rhythm patterns to add interest and dimension to your melody.

5. Keep it traditional: Country music often draws from traditional musical styles, so consider incorporating elements of bluegrass, folk, and gospel into your melody to give it a traditional feel.

6. Incorporate the melody into your song: Once your melody is complete, add it to your chord progression, and build the rest of your song around it.

Rock

Creating a melody for a rock song requires a strong understanding of the energy and intensity of rock music, as well as a good ear for memorable, anthemic melodies.

1. Start with a drum beat: Choose a basic live sounding drum kit pattern that fits your desired tempo and energy level.

2. Experiment with sounds: Play around with different instruments, such as guitar, bass, and drums, to find the sounds that fit your vision for the song.

3. Brainstorm melodies: Jot down any musical ideas that come to mind, no matter how simple or complex they may be. Use these ideas as a starting point for developing your melody.

4. Refine your melody: Work on your melody, refining and tweaking it until it feels right. Experiment with different notes, harmonies, and rhythm patterns to add interest and dimension to your melody.

5. Keep it anthemic: Rock music is often characterized by its anthemic, sing-along qualities, so aim to create a melody that people will want to sing along to.

6. Incorporate the melody into your song: Once your melody is complete, add it to your beat, and build the rest of your song around it.

Additional Tools

As well as using the aforementioned steps to create a melody for your favorite music genre, having some handy tools to aid in the process is a smart move.

Melody Generator Plugins for your DAW, such as Pilot Plugins, can help by giving you a head-start, setting you on the correct course to creating an awesome sounding melody.

The AI-Powered Pilot Plugins can even follow your chord progression to ensure the melody ebbs and flows perfectly throughout the different song sections, such as the verse and chorus.

Time to make some melodies!

I hope this article has offered some inspiration and useful tips for writing great genre-specific melodies. So what’re you waiting for? It’s time to load up your DAW, and start creating some awesome melodies.