Tips for thinking of a tune?

[Captain_Kadoodle]

Need to start creating a new song, but can't think of a melody/tune. If you would create a electronic/dubstep song, how would the intro sound, or how would you think of one?

[Kopachris]

Read this book:

[Friv]

Need to start creating a new song, but can't think of a melody/tune. If you would create a electronic/dubstep song, how would the intro sound, or how would you think of one?

You can start by just picking a scale at random and playing the scale. Then just change some of the notes around for awhile and eventually, you should have something that sounds good (or at least that's how i did it when i was beginning).

Welcome to the forum by the way!

[Lavender_Harmony]

But seriously, learn some music theory. There is no way of 'thinking up a melody', that's not something someone can tell you, like, there is no real answer...

[Friv]

Fixed your link, Lav.

[SoaringFlight]

Just open your daw and improvise. Its useful to know theory and scales and all that, but I think that if you just keep on making melodies on top of that knowledge whenever you can (and striking on a good one here and there) you will kinda start developing your senses and it will be easier for you next time.

At least thats what i've used to do and it worked. As of melodies that fit into genre - listen to some tracks of the same genre from other artists, see how their melodies are constructed, gain inspiration from that and make your own melody using your own style.

My 2 cents.

[Thyrai]

...listen to some tracks of the same genre from other artists, see how their melodies are constructed, gain inspiration from that and make your own melody using your own style.

^ This!
One thing I do a lot is find an artist I really like and try to dissect their song as much as possible: like finding the BPM, transition periods, synth sounds, instruments and layers. This especially helps if you're new to a genre and have no idea how to start

Also, it really helps to start with the most 'catchy' part of the song (hook, chorus, whatever) and then work backwards from there. I find it's really hard to write an intro or breakdown section, then having to build up a hook from there.

Theory does indeed help heaps, but it's not necessary. Music existed long before theory did.

[MRPPony]

Yeah, I agree with Kyoga. There are some pretty cheap midi keyboards for $50+ you can get. What I personally do is turn my keyboard on and just play whatever and chose a scale at random. Also, be sure to record it then play it back after 5~10 mins or so? That way you not only have a melody, but you also have it recorded so you'll always remember it (I have a fairly bad short-term memory so i have to do this hehe )

Although one thing to remember is this: The melody/lead isn't limited to single notes being hit in a particular rhythm. Chords can be the melody. Hey, used a lot in progressive songs chords side-chained to the kicks giving it a pump/jump sound can be the lead. Although, start at the beginning. Choose the scale and mode (what note in that scale you want to be most played) and that will make your track that much easier to start.

I should also say melodies aren't required to be 'elaborate' and 'complex' like you hear a lot in the rave type leads. Here's an example of what I mean by 'complex' lead (Skip to 4:50):

Its great, atmospheric, but as you can hear its pretty complex if you tried to play it on a keyboard.

Here's a lead with a simple rhythm:

The piano at the beginning is the lead which is only 3 notes finely offset to fit the 4/4time and that alone, as you can tell, is enough to be a lead. Now this song has two melodies, the other being the bass since its DnB, but even the second lead is simple. Just spamming one note and going up or down one or two notes here and there. Still simple, nothing complex.

I know its easier to come up with a melody/lead by picking the genre first, but if you really want to come up with something creative, choose the genre last cause in the end, its all music. We just give it names to keep it 'organized.' Never have an 'organized' track. It sounds way too plain.