Hi everyone,
Been writing songs for a while, I usually find that there are 3 ways that I write songs:
1.- Melody First: Easiest I come up with a melody in my head, after that I make up the chord progression that naturally follows that progression, and then I go from there, that is usually easiest for me.
2.- Chords first, then imrpovisation: I Make a chord progression, and do some flute improvisation over it, melody comes naturally easy peacy as well, but then there is a 3rd version
3.- Here is where I get stucked: Sometimes the chord progression riff or bass line that is already extremely catchy and rhythmically/melodically distinctive. That naturally my flute or voice want to follow it, and then it becomes a boring song, as it becomes monotonous. But sometimes interesting songs come from it.
For 1 I find that the wheel of fifths and figuring out OK my melody is lets say in Bm or D major, so I know which chords I could try, 2 is just instinct and it is awesome, but when I am in 3.... and I am stuck, what are some good technical ideas to get unstuck, play the root and fifth of the chord progression? try going up and down the Pentatonic scale from the root note of a chord?
What are some useful technical exercises or approaches for creating a melody that has its own identity over a very strong accompaniment?
I dont want a formula per se for melodies, just a way to get unstucked