Any advice for coming up with a catchy tune?

[Sparx-1]

I hope this is in the right thread... ^^;


I'm asking for some advice... Does anyone have any tips for coming up with a theme tune that sticks in one's head?

You see, I'm working on something I plan on turning into a flash cartoon series that's what most people refer to as a "magical girl" anime (I put quotes because her power source is based on future cybernetics and time travel rather than actual magic. Sort of drawing from Clarke's 3rd law...) And I need a theme song that has a tendency to stick with you, like the most popular show of the genre, Sailor Moon's does.

Anyone have any ideas? ^^;

 

[Kaoii]

When you're coming up with melody, here's a general good rule to follow. Less is typically more.
Something catchy is something that someone won't have a hard time singing in their head or humming. I can only think of one or two final fantasy tracks that I can't hum - that's for a reason.

That doesn't mean to go overboard, it just means to keep it simple. If you do that and then add rhythm later, you'll probably end up with something decent.

Also remember, you can't learn creativity. It's something that comes naturally. Either you have inspiration or you don't. If you need inspiration, listen to the melodies that come out of nowhere inside your head. Listen to other people whistle random stuff. You could even find software that generates random melodies for you until you get inspiration from one.

 

[djzalzer]

remember to use some sort of repetition.  Otherwise, it just sounds like a useless jumble of notes.

 

[rexxzecutioner]

Start with a melodic outline, which is basically the most important notes of a melody. Also be conscious of step-wise and skip-wise note progression. Step-wise is moving directly to the next note either up or down, and skip-wise jumps in intervals of 3 or more. Make sure your melody has movement, and is propelled by proper rhythm.

Most of the time you want to have a clear ostinato, which is the "hook". It is the most distinctive part of your melody, and what you mostly remember, and end up whistling and humming. Repitition of thise theme in your melody with varying degrees can enhance the memorability of the tune.

 

[coma]

have a good supply of inspiration and influence. no amount of musical training can make up for influence/inspiration.

 

[Reives]

Sadly, cliche/overused chord progressions are usually the most catchy ones (which is why they are overused in the first place) - It is also what most of the catchy J-pop music uses, as it seems like what you are aiming for. So if you don't really care about the music theoretical aspect of criticism and just want a pleasing result, it might be a good idea to go and work with one of the pop chord progressions and build the melody based on the chords, and try to dress it up. Once you get comfortable with those, it'll be easier to go more advanced too.

 

[Gilleece]

Pick a scale that you like and base it on that, I find that a great help, scales and breaking up chords to help you find a base to work from with your melodies.

 

[mega_man_aXe]

Hmm, if you are looking to write something catchy, let me try to make it simple for you:

1.) Pick an instrument that will play the melody
2.) Pick a couple more to play the rhythm, one playing the part mid-range, one part playing the part as a bass line
3.) Write the song using these 4 notes for the rhythm: C, E, A, D....and maybe throw a G in there somewhere
    IE:  Using whole notes in Common Time, C.....A.....D....E (or whatever)
4.) Make a one measure melody that repeats for the first 3 measures and slightly changes for the last measure in the phrase
5.) If you wanna add a little spice, drop everything down one half step somewhere in the song

Here is a small example I made using all these steps:
http://www.geocities.com/mega_man_axe/SampleSong.mid

Like the others have said, it takes some inspiration and creativity.  Just think...what is this song about?  If its about a water level, then use instruments that best depict that and remind you of water...or sound flowing, etc.  Most of all just use your imagination!


P.S.  Just try starting off with something simple like that, then come back to it later and see if you can make it something more.  For example, instead of just one note, make it a chord!  Keep that same melody, but diversify it a bit!  Then write the melody in thirds or fourths can really make it sound even more catchy!

 

[Sparx-1]

Hmm, if you are looking to write something catchy, let me try to make it simple for you:

1.) Pick an instrument that will play the melody
2.) Pick a couple more to play the rhythm, one playing the part mid-range, one part playing the part as a bass line
3.) Write the song using these 4 notes for the rhythm: C, E, A, D....and maybe throw a G in there somewhere
     IE:  Using whole notes in Common Time, C.....A.....D....E (or whatever)
4.) Make a one measure melody that repeats for the first 3 measures and slightly changes for the last measure in the phrase
5.) If you wanna add a little spice, drop everything down one half step somewhere in the song

Here is a small example I made using all these steps:
http://www.geocities.com/mega_man_axe/SampleSong.mid

Like the others have said, it takes some inspiration and creativity.  Just think...what is this song about?  If its about a water level, then use instruments that best depict that and remind you of water...or sound flowing, etc.  Most of all just use your imagination!


P.S.  Just try starting off with something simple like that, then come back to it later and see if you can make it something more.  For example, instead of just one note, make it a chord!  Keep that same melody, but diversify it a bit!  Then write the melody in thirds or fourths can really make it sound even more catchy!

Good advice! Hey, would you mind telling me what program you're using?

 

[Gilleece]

He uses anvil studio, its free so worth a look.

 

[NunoAle]

I use Guitar Pro 5.0... Well, you need to know alot about music to use it at it's peak, but, it's worth it.

 

[mega_man_aXe]

Yes, this is true.  Anvil Studios is great, but so are Finale and Guitar Pro.  Really its your pick...all of them have free demos so try them all.  I've found actually writing a piece is easier in Finale and Anvil, but you can add expression pretty easy with Guitar Pro....like bends and slides and trills and stuff like that.

 

[NunoAle]

You can also downloads tabs of songs you like in sites like www.911tabs.com so you can best learn how to work with the program.

 

[Karasawa]

Sorry for the late, late post, but I find that the best way to create a melody is to whistle in real life.

A lot.

Then at the end of the day, sit down at your music device of choice and play around with one instrument, and think about a mood for your song.

 

[moog]

I also find its nice to carry a sound recorder with you, so if you hum a catchy tune you can save it for later. I do this alot and many of my better pieces come from it.

 

[rexxzecutioner]

I also find its nice to carry a sound recorder with you, so if you hum a catchy tune you can save it for later. I do this alot and many of my better pieces come from it.

A very excellent idea. I've been meaning to get one for myself exactly for this reason.

 

[NunoAle]

I sometimes have the problem of imagening great operas and works like that in my head and then it suddenly vanishes... that is actually a great idea!

 

[moog]

I tend to use a mp3/sound recorder so If I get a request and they want it to resemble or favor a piece, I can listen and record more efficently. I baught a Sansa e260 just for this. Its affordable and has great and simplistic interface.

 

[NunoAle]

Hum... That is really a bright idea. I never thought of that. Usually, I just pick the guitar (when I'm around it) and play a bit, like a bit of improvising, and if I'm lucky, something good comes up. When I can't do that, I tend to imagine it more precisely and try to memorize it until I can figure out a way to put it on paper, which alot of times is impossible. That will be truly useful.

 

[moog]

Hum... That is really a bright idea. I never thought of that. Usually, I just pick the guitar (when I'm around it) and play a bit, like a bit of improvising, and if I'm lucky, something good comes up. When I can't do that, I tend to imagine it more precisely and try to memorize it until I can figure out a way to put it on paper, which alot of times is impossible. That will be truly useful.

Improv is a wonderful way to express musical thoughts and can also work wonders if executed correctly. Motoi Sakuraba's work is a prime example of this.

I wish I could play guitar :3; all I use is a piano or go down to the studio when I have free time.