I just love how you describe things and show examples. When I watch other tutorials or lessons on composing, I can often lose concentration, but you just express the gist and I never get tired of you :-)
This totally inspires me to get back into melody production. A lot of the creative process you're talking about has parallels in writing (fantasy fiction writing in my case), such as intermingling the foreign with the familiar, not just going with what works, etc. Thanks for this vid. I'm glad I found your channel. Also, Shovel Knight and Undertale are brilliant models of melodies and motifs.
A never-ending source of inspiration when it comes to melody is simple everyday speech. Just listen to yourself talk, take away the words and a sentence becomes a musical phrase... It's really that simple.
superapex21 Musical phrasing and verbal phrasing definitely go hand in hand, although there’s much more to a good melody than just that. You ever seen Leonard Bernstein’s Harvard lectures? He addressed the similarities between language and music, fascinating stuff.
Completely agree with what you are talking about rhythmic syncopation. Great video, I am definitely using some of the ideas you talked about on my compositions on my page.
It's only been a year and a half since this was uploaded? It feels like it was ages ago! I guess that shows how much I've grown as a person and a musician since my first viewings of this video.
All your videos are incredibly helpful. You also come up with original ideas and unobvious tips and tricks. I will do my best to spread word about your channel, as it contains so much valuable information that is nicely edited. Keep on your great work man! :)
I came looking for a guide to compose vocal melodies for a song. But this was very interesting, I am not a prolific instrumentalist, mainly a singer, so I can't help but notice that you are really good at singing.
Bruh, you're a lot younger than I originally thought. Your videos have helped me a lot when it comes to writing stuff. My goal this summer is to at least start writing a symphony... we'll have to wait and see how that goes...
13:58 my mind immeadiately goes to that theory that Williams stole the Jaws theme from Dvorak's 9th. They obviously sound similar but William's makes a different use of it.
Wow. I haven't even finished the video yet but already this is really amazing. I've been subscribed for a while but I'm disappointed in myself for not watching more of your videos. You're really a great educator, thank you for this great content.
Awesome! It's a noticeable difference. Haven't had the funds to donate myself, but definitely will if I ever have any lying around. Really appreciate the great detailed content. Really helped me in my work as a game composer
Thank you for this! I tend to get stuck harmonically in my melodic writing, feeling obligated to come up with an original chord progression thus limiting the melodic material. I will follow this series with great interest. Your channel has been great from the start but your new gear really brings it to the next level! Keep up the good work! Adam, Sweden
THANK YOU! Honestly, I love writing music but when I went back to my stuff after watching this (and the other video you made) I realized that I actually didn't have a melody at all! lol this helped a lot
Goddamn man you are a bright kid. The best art is made with passion and I can hear your passion for music in your voice. I love it some wholesome shit right there. Also great video man Im still a beginner in music and this video makes complete sense to me. A1
I have been waiting for so long for your new content and let me tell you: it's been worth waiting every single second - I absolutely love it! can't wait to see more:)
My favorite melodies are Liszt's Transcendental Etude No. 4 - Mazeppa, Liszt/Paganini La Campanella, Beethoven Appassionata, Bach Invention No. 13, many Chopin Etudes, Liszt Paganini Etudes no 4 and 6 - Theme and Variations, Some Paganini Caprices, and many, many more.
Elaborate. A theory can be a coherent systematized way of thinking about a natural process. As long as it is derived from observation of nature, it need not itself be artificial. The concepts discussed in this video weren't conceived in a vacuum, rather, they resulted from the commonality observed among melodies which very well may have been intuitively conceived. Just because something wasn't created with a conscious logical thought process doesn't mean that there wasn't a subconscious process at work. All I was attempting to do in this video was convert such processes into coherent principles that could be applied to effect without the necessity for inherent musical intuition, which many aren't born with/haven't developed from a young age.
Please do a harmonic and melodic analysis of yesterday by the Beatles. You’re videos on melody would not be complete without analyzing the most beloved musical standard in all of contemporary music. Much gratitude to your videos and all the content you put out . Really helpful.
I think that the Ken's themme is a very useful example of originality. (because the compositor made a clever use of Mighty wings cheap trick but isn't just a copy).
This is a great series. How old are you dude? You sound young but this is so well articulated, has the control and clarity of a great university lecturer
I really like what you said about half cup original, half cup derivative. In my mind, it has always seemed that the optimal songs are those that are just familiar enough that you can make sense of it in your mind, but which then plays with and deviates from the expectation. Enjoyment comes from perceiving the perturbation. Music that is too formulaic and too much like everything else you have heard is boring, and music that is experimental and doesnt fit into a mold similar to music you have previously experienced can likewise be frustratingly hard to make sense of, and thus enjoy.
JJay Berthume thanks! A question for you, if thats ok. Ive seen plenty of resources on making making a good melody, harmony, and bass. But I still havent found a good resource for creating percussion/rhythm(?) that complements the melody and harmony. Do you have any that you could point me to, by chance? It would be great if you have your own video on it, I just dont think Ive come across it yet.0
Corranhorn122 I’m definitely planning on making that video in the future. In the mean time, check out How to Write for Percussion by Samuel Solomon. Phenomenally useful book.
I like the way you started.and you havent added any background music while you are talking,and that is good. sounds less annoying if im watching at variable speeds.
PLanBBeaTZ Of course! Going to try and finish the whole series over spring break. These types of videos take a while to make, and while at college I simply don't have the time. My spring break starts this Friday!
JJay Berthume coool!!! i love your style jj!!!you make things different than others!! i don t like this epic pop trends from today so much...you are a kind of oldschool!!!and i hope i can learn something from your videos!!!by the way you wrote me about composition lessons, but i guess you are to busy...but please when you got a time window open..let me know...adrian.ryszka@gmx.net ......
Thankyou so much, it has been extremely informative, only suggestion would be if you could use a high pass filter on the recorded audio to take away the low rumble from your AC/PC. Will be looking forward for your future video. Cheers.
Oh, John Williams :) about the your-music-reminding-people-of-other-music thing - I don't really mind as long as the music takes them to another place. I think you have quite a distinct style though by the way! And I think certain habits like using the same cadence often bother the composer much more than the listener as he's much more familiar with his music. Great video, looking forward to the next one :D
Ernst Toch wrote a book on how melodies are crafted, Melodielehre ("The teaching of melody"). I haven't found it in English, but I have it in Spanish. I've found it quite useful, and he seems to coincide with what you're saying.
This is incredible! So glad I found your channel. Is there a resource you can recommend for learning more musical "cliches" like the I to iv for love themes?
wow, after so many videos about composing I've finally stumbled upon this one. I must say I'm hooked an intrigued. I'll definitely dig further. Do you by any chance have videos on how to write for computer games or smth. around this topic? I've recently discovered that the music I wish to hear in big blown movies I actually only hear in PC games nowadays, like Jesper Kyd's Ezio's Family etc. thanks for your videos and future possible reply in andvance!
Pretty much all of my videos are catered non-explicitly for the game composer. I have some videos on writing chiptunes if you’re interested. If you have specific questions about the process of writing game music feel free to email me! (Email in the description)
We've all had friends say "hey your melody sounds like Mozart," and experienced that sinking feeling afterwards
I just hate it when that happens! And it's so common too.
It’s hell.
They think it's a compliment.
Lol I make electronic music and compose classical music so it can go both ways for me 😂
@@SuperYtc1 it is though
I’m a hip hop producer, and I learned so much just from this video alone, thank you
fot real?
@le Hoarderz Al-Shekelsteins I mean, he isn't giving out his real name on RUclips.
Finally! A comprehensive melody guide! Thank you!
I just love how you describe things and show examples. When I watch other tutorials or lessons on composing, I can often lose concentration, but you just express the gist and I never get tired of you :-)
Václav Michálek Thanks so much!!!!
When I saw Nobuo Uematsu’s pic amongst the greats my heart was happy
Absolutely love your videos, melody writing is my weakness
Man, this video changed my life, as well as all your other videos. You will never imagine how far you have reached with your teachings
Your definition of a “Tune” was poetic. Valuable video series
Melody is the vein of gold in music.
A very common sense approach that has never been expressed so succin
This totally inspires me to get back into melody production. A lot of the creative process you're talking about has parallels in writing (fantasy fiction writing in my case), such as intermingling the foreign with the familiar, not just going with what works, etc.
Thanks for this vid. I'm glad I found your channel.
Also, Shovel Knight and Undertale are brilliant models of melodies and motifs.
Oh my god, this is just what I needed. Thank you so much!
7:09 Somewhere over the rainbow always reminds me of Song to the Moon from Dvorak’s Rusalka
Ah I hear it I had never heard that piece before ty!
Melody is so personal thing that it’s easy to disagree with some of others’ opinions but I enjoyed learning about your point of view. Thank you!
That last chiptune track is absolutely amazing!
IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR FOREVER! Thank you so much.
This is the kind of content that we need more of on the Internet people! This is!! Thank you very much Jay. I love you man!
I officially love this channel.
Excellent !
Thanks, Jay... valuable lesson.
Your videos are top notch. Nice pace and flow and very informative.
Anything Koji Kondo ever wrote, indeed. Fantastic video.
Feels like a new style you're going for with your tutorials, I like it!
Schoenberg wrote a book on musical form which half of it is actually about melody writing.
What's the name
@@miguelpereira9859 I guess he's referring to Fundamentals of Musical Composition
@@forster123 yep thats it
nice profile pic
Smart video sir, learned a lot
Another fantastic video, J.J.!! Congratulations and thank you! Really valuable stuff.
Thanks for making such a useful and clear tutorial!
insightful and helpful analysis and pointers, JJ!
The quality of this video is superb
Key aspects are really nailed here. Brilliant lecture!
Great video! Ready for parts 2 and 3!
A never-ending source of inspiration when it comes to melody is simple everyday speech.
Just listen to yourself talk, take away the words and a sentence becomes a musical phrase...
It's really that simple.
superapex21 Musical phrasing and verbal phrasing definitely go hand in hand, although there’s much more to a good melody than just that. You ever seen Leonard Bernstein’s Harvard lectures? He addressed the similarities between language and music, fascinating stuff.
No I haven't but I'll look into it. Thanks!
A great sum up of what art is about
Excellent video, looking forward to watching the rest. Thanks for all this knowledge!
Good start
Completely agree with what you are talking about rhythmic syncopation. Great video, I am definitely using some of the ideas you talked about on my compositions on my page.
Really informative, thank you so much !!
It's only been a year and a half since this was uploaded? It feels like it was ages ago! I guess that shows how much I've grown as a person and a musician since my first viewings of this video.
All your videos are incredibly helpful.
You also come up with original ideas and unobvious tips and tricks. I will do my best to spread word about your channel, as it contains so much valuable information that is nicely edited.
Keep on your great work man! :)
Philipp Kapusta Thanks so much Philipp! Glad you get something out of them.
Love the new video.
I came looking for a guide to compose vocal melodies for a song. But this was very interesting, I am not a prolific instrumentalist, mainly a singer, so I can't help but notice that you are really good at singing.
Great video. Thanks!
Bruh, you're a lot younger than I originally thought. Your videos have helped me a lot when it comes to writing stuff. My goal this summer is to at least start writing a symphony... we'll have to wait and see how that goes...
13:58 my mind immeadiately goes to that theory that Williams stole the Jaws theme from Dvorak's 9th. They obviously sound similar but William's makes a different use of it.
Stole...borrow...guess it depends on perception.
I hear a similar melody so many other places
check out holst tho, star wars sound very similar to The Planets
18:55 actually it reminds me of Cave Story and Shovel Knight :D
But still sounds lovely
Great video!
Thank you, succinctly put, great examples, and best of all, made sense! Well done :)
Very interesting and informative video. The examples you gave made the explanation really easy to understand. Keep on the good work and thank you!
Wow. I haven't even finished the video yet but already this is really amazing. I've been subscribed for a while but I'm disappointed in myself for not watching more of your videos. You're really a great educator, thank you for this great content.
Bach: Mathematics is the essence of music.
That comment is so true. I use so much math in my compositions.
Motley Crue: METH: I'M ON IT
Bach never said that.
@@ymaysernameuay1113 I think the correct quote was by Galileo "Mathematics is the language of nature"
Wohooooo!!!
I've been waiting for this!
Haven't composed for 5 months
now this an inspiration!
Great work, as always Jjay!
keep it up!
Very interesting. Thanks!
New mic/mix? This is incredibly clear and easy to listen to. Also, incredibly informative. Looking forward to the rest :)
Abyss Song Thanks to you generous chaps donating to my GoFundMe! :)
Awesome! It's a noticeable difference. Haven't had the funds to donate myself, but definitely will if I ever have any lying around. Really appreciate the great detailed content. Really helped me in my work as a game composer
Good job. Thank you.
Thank you for this! I tend to get stuck harmonically in my melodic writing, feeling obligated to come up with an original chord progression thus limiting the melodic material. I will follow this series with great interest.
Your channel has been great from the start but your new gear really brings it to the next level! Keep up the good work!
Adam, Sweden
Learned a lot from this video, thank you
best. video. yet.
can t wait for part two
THANK YOU! Honestly, I love writing music but when I went back to my stuff after watching this (and the other video you made) I realized that I actually didn't have a melody at all! lol this helped a lot
Great job! I really enjoyed this video and I look forward to seeing more of your stuff
Thank you!
This was fantastic
Goddamn man you are a bright kid. The best art is made with passion and I can hear your passion for music in your voice. I love it some wholesome shit right there. Also great video man Im still a beginner in music and this video makes complete sense to me. A1
William's theme captures the magical-ness of the Harry Potter series. The magical-ness of the theme is what Harry Potter wizardry is all about.
loving your tutorials:)) thank you for sharing your knowledge
I have been waiting for so long for your new content and let me tell you: it's been worth waiting every single second - I absolutely love it! can't wait to see more:)
My favorite melodies are Liszt's Transcendental Etude No. 4 - Mazeppa, Liszt/Paganini La Campanella, Beethoven Appassionata, Bach Invention No. 13, many Chopin Etudes, Liszt Paganini Etudes no 4 and 6 - Theme and Variations, Some Paganini Caprices, and many, many more.
Love the new video JJay! Great material and very informative!
fantastic! Thanks a lot for your tutorial videos. I've learnt a lot from it. And I love your music! :)
This is all in theory. In practice, is a natural process that develops as the the song builds up, it's really a comunication process.
Elaborate. A theory can be a coherent systematized way of thinking about a natural process. As long as it is derived from observation of nature, it need not itself be artificial. The concepts discussed in this video weren't conceived in a vacuum, rather, they resulted from the commonality observed among melodies which very well may have been intuitively conceived. Just because something wasn't created with a conscious logical thought process doesn't mean that there wasn't a subconscious process at work. All I was attempting to do in this video was convert such processes into coherent principles that could be applied to effect without the necessity for inherent musical intuition, which many aren't born with/haven't developed from a young age.
Very helpful! Thank you!
Love your videos! keep uploading good material like this
That melody you wrote was actually pretty good.
Please do a harmonic and melodic analysis of yesterday by the Beatles. You’re videos on melody would not be complete without analyzing the most beloved musical standard in all of contemporary music. Much gratitude to your videos and all the content you put out . Really helpful.
I love the Beatles, and Yesterday. Rest assured the 4th analysis video will be very eclectic!
I think that the Ken's themme is a very useful example of originality. (because the compositor made a clever use of Mighty wings cheap trick but isn't just a copy).
This might sound funny, but I had no idea there were so many books that could help one learn "The rules" to make better music. Subscribed!
Fantastic content. I have studied Max Martin discography for two years straight, we should connect!
Daaaamn the video inspired me :O
thanx for great lecture :)
Voy a guardar este vídeo
chopins waltz in b minor has one of my favourite melodies ever
Great video. It looks like you put in alot of work to make it.
Jordan Price Glad you enjoyed it - I did put a lot of work into it, and I hope to complete the series ASAP! :)
woo new content! I'm ok with 1 hour long! (:
Love your work man, keep it up!
This is a great series. How old are you dude? You sound young but this is so well articulated, has the control and clarity of a great university lecturer
great stuff!!!
I like your singing bro.
Great Jurassic Park intonation 😂👌💪💪🔥🔊🔊
Right on!!
I really like what you said about half cup original, half cup derivative. In my mind, it has always seemed that the optimal songs are those that are just familiar enough that you can make sense of it in your mind, but which then plays with and deviates from the expectation. Enjoyment comes from perceiving the perturbation. Music that is too formulaic and too much like everything else you have heard is boring, and music that is experimental and doesnt fit into a mold similar to music you have previously experienced can likewise be frustratingly hard to make sense of, and thus enjoy.
Corranhorn122 Well said!
JJay Berthume thanks! A question for you, if thats ok. Ive seen plenty of resources on making making a good melody, harmony, and bass. But I still havent found a good resource for creating percussion/rhythm(?) that complements the melody and harmony. Do you have any that you could point me to, by chance? It would be great if you have your own video on it, I just dont think Ive come across it yet.0
Corranhorn122 I’m definitely planning on making that video in the future. In the mean time, check out How to Write for Percussion by Samuel Solomon. Phenomenally useful book.
JJay Berthume that seems like a great resource. Ill be sure to check it out. :)
I like the way you started.and you havent added any background music while you are talking,and that is good. sounds less annoying if im watching at variable speeds.
Krishnanunni H M Yeah I hate when tutorial videos have background music - very distracting!
great video!!!! are you planing part two?? i look every day on your channel if part two is uploaded ...
PLanBBeaTZ Of course! Going to try and finish the whole series over spring break. These types of videos take a while to make, and while at college I simply don't have the time. My spring break starts this Friday!
JJay Berthume coool!!! i love your style jj!!!you make things different than others!! i don t like this epic pop trends from today so much...you are a kind of oldschool!!!and i hope i can learn something from your videos!!!by the way you wrote me about composition lessons, but i guess you are to busy...but please when you got a time window open..let me know...adrian.ryszka@gmx.net ......
Just looked up Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2 for the second time in forever. Thanks XD
Thankyou so much, it has been extremely informative, only suggestion would be if you could use a high pass filter on the recorded audio to take away the low rumble from your AC/PC. Will be looking forward for your future video. Cheers.
vishwas H J Thanks for the suggestion - will do!
So many great vg music compositions, also check Masato Nakamura, he composed sonic 1 and 2, other worldly melodies lol
Oh, John Williams :) about the your-music-reminding-people-of-other-music thing - I don't really mind as long as the music takes them to another place. I think you have quite a distinct style though by the way! And I think certain habits like using the same cadence often bother the composer much more than the listener as he's much more familiar with his music. Great video, looking forward to the next one :D
ultimateredstone Thanks so much for both of your kind comments, that means a lot to me!
Ernst Toch wrote a book on how melodies are crafted, Melodielehre ("The teaching of melody"). I haven't found it in English, but I have it in Spanish.
I've found it quite useful, and he seems to coincide with what you're saying.
Albert de la Fuente Thanks - can't wait to read it!
Me podrias decir donde descargarlo compañero ?
Capicholo B Toma www.dropbox.com/s/96cu54lmi49tkla/TOCH-%C2%B4La-melodia%C2%B4-Ernst-Toch.pdf?dl=0
This is incredible! So glad I found your channel. Is there a resource you can recommend for learning more musical "cliches" like the I to iv for love themes?
JJay, I loved it! Exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the tremendously good work!
wow, after so many videos about composing I've finally stumbled upon this one. I must say I'm hooked an intrigued. I'll definitely dig further. Do you by any chance have videos on how to write for computer games or smth. around this topic? I've recently discovered that the music I wish to hear in big blown movies I actually only hear in PC games nowadays, like Jesper Kyd's Ezio's Family etc. thanks for your videos and future possible reply in andvance!
Pretty much all of my videos are catered non-explicitly for the game composer. I have some videos on writing chiptunes if you’re interested. If you have specific questions about the process of writing game music feel free to email me! (Email in the description)