If your melody is sounding boring, it probably lacks a motif. A motif is a short idea that's repeated to give the melody structure.

So, play your melody and listen for the catchiest bit. Next, delete the boring bit. Now…

Got a boring melody? It may be due to a small range, i.e. the distance between its lowest and highest note. This should be around a 7th or an octave. If it's not, extend the range and add some passing…

To write an epic melody, start with a phrase of small intervals (i.e. 2nds and 3rds). Then, jump straight to a high note using a big interval (i.e. 6th or 7th). This dramatic climax will give your melody that epic…

The 3rd note in a chord holds its emotion. So, to emphasize the happiness of a major chord, play its 3rd in the melody above (e.g. over Cmaj, play E). To emphasize the sadness of a minor chord, play its…

Harmonic notes are in the chord, so they feel resolved. Non-harmonic notes are not in the chord, so they feel tense. Balance these two types of notes in your melodies, and your listeners will be thrilled and fulfilled. Have fun!

…

How to Write a
Catchy Melody.

Free PDF Tutorial
includes multitrack MIDI file

If the link above does not work, paste this into your browser:
https://hackmusictheory.com/album/2877864/catchy-melody

Intro.

British band Glass Animals are absolutely massive! At the time of…

How to Write
Sweeping Arpeggios.

Free PDF Tutorial
includes multitrack MIDI file

If the link above does not work, paste this into your browser:
https://hackmusictheory.com/album/2639559/sweeping-arpeggios

Intro.

Do your arpeggios all sound rather similar? It’s a common problem for…

How to Write a Standout MELODY

Step 1. First Impressions

There are many ways to write a standout melody, but it’s difficult to improve on the method PJ Harvey uses in her new single “A Child’s Question, August”. That’s because…

How to Write a Catchy MELODY

FREE: Download This Tutorial as PDF

Includes multitrack MIDI example

Step 1. Scale

There are two types of catchy melodies: annoyingly repetitive ones you can’t stop singing but actually hate, and awesome ones that…

How to Write a Lydian MELODY

FREE: Download This Tutorial as PDF

Includes multitrack MIDI example

Simple music can be great music. Depeche Mode’s lead single “Ghosts Again” from their new album “Memento Mori” is proof. It has a well-written …

Stop Looping Melodies This Way

DOWNLOAD This Tutorial as PDF (includes MIDI file)

When you loop a melody, do you just copy and paste it? If so, that way of looping could be ruining your melodies!

But the good news…

Melody Interval Rule

In this lesson you’ll learn a common fault that many songwriters and producers make when writing melodies. More importantly, though, you’ll learn our theory hack for quickly and easily fixing this fault. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary…

Melody Range Rule

In this lesson you’ll learn a common fault that many songwriters and producers make when writing melodies. More importantly, though, you’ll learn our theory hack for quickly and easily fixing this fault. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary…

#1 Melody Hack

Learn how to make better melodies with this game-changing hack!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory, the fast, easy and fun way to make…

Counter Melody Rule

Learn how to avoid this common fault many songwriters & producers make in their backing melodies!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory, the fast…

Melody Rhythm Rule

Learn how to avoid this rhythmic fault that many songwriters and producers make in their melodies. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music…

Stepwise Melody Rule

Learn how to avoid this common fault many songwriters and producers make in their melodies. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory…

5-Second Intro Rule

Learn how to use our 5-Second Intro Rule to instantly capture the attention of your listeners, so your songs don’t get skipped. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution…

246 Melody Rule

With the 246 Rule you can say goodbye to mediocre melodies forever. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory, where we help…

80/20 Rule for Better Bass Lines

In this tutorial, you'll learn the secret 80/20 bass rule that will forever change the way you write bass lines. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA…

How to Spice Up Your Melodies with Non-Diatonic Notes

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to spice up your melodies with non-diatonic notes. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony…

How to Stand Out in 2 Seconds

In this tutorial, you’ll learn two ways to stand out in two seconds. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony)…

How to Add Impact to your Choruses

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add impact to your choruses. But first… tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and…

3 music theory hacks to make your music stand out, so you can get discovered!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory. We help you make great…

Learn how to write a melody for an epic chorus, by using a music theory hack from Leprous “Alleviate” (off their new album “Pitfalls”).

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and…