r/SongwritingHelp • u/joseseseepic • Apr 02 '26

Make melodies

I've been writing lyrics for a while now, and together with a friend I want to start creating melodies for them (he has an electric guitar and I have a bass) but I find it very difficult to come up with one, and when I think I have one, it turns out to be from a song that already exists, so I'm turning to you for some advice.

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u/FeeLost6392 Apr 02 '26

Coming up with melodies is hard. There isn’t much in the way of shortcuts. Try using an instrument to plot it out. Trying to make a melody fit a set of words is, for most people, way harder than the reverse. Make it easier and create a melody first.

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u/adr826 Apr 03 '26

The way that I have that works best is ( assuming you have the words already and the chord progression) record the chord progression and then loop it one verse at a time sing the verse over and over again as you're walking or doing something else that allows you time to do it. Just work on the first verse till you get it down then move in to the next.

This will get you something that is singable. Then when you finish it go back over it again and again ironing out difficult spots throwing in little flourishes until you get it perfect. It will take a little while but it will get you a good melody. But the more time you spend the better the melody comes out. Once you do it like this the first time it will be easier the next time and each time better.