Vocal melodies frustrating me

[Phototropic]

GARRRH!!!

I have songs, I can get by singing, I don't need much but I need some

My mate suggested using scales on guitar to write the melodies but no matter what I do it sounds really boring and mundane, is this cos I know the songs too well or....?!

I've never ever written a good vocal melody , whereas I'm pleased with the music I have

Anybody else experience this problem?!

Any advice on what you other singer / songwriters do would be appreciated

[bighambino]

Hmmm, well if you're writing from scratch, use a piano. That way you can play the chords with one hand, and come up with a melody on the other. It's much easier, and you can convert it to any instrument after. Most of the melodies I come up with when I'm not on an instrument. I'll usually start thinking of them or humming them spontaniously somewhere. Try going for a walk to clear your mind, and see what you come up with by yourself.

[Merkaba]

Just keep playing the music and it will come automatically. The more you think the deader it will get.

[Phototropic]

Ok guys cheers, they sound sensible, its so frustrating though :( gah

Thanks for your help

[Merkaba]

So many times I've been listening from another room (many times just because I had something to do) and have heard overtones and reverbs and things that mix and linger and sometimes you can get alot of melodies from it.

Your notes dont have to go right with each cord. If youre in A minor and doing a C, G a, e...etc progression or something, remember that your melody doesnt have to be such it just has to be in key...and you can play around with starting on A going down to the g or c, then holding it til the g is played...then the a is played. Thing coming back up singing the G, then the A then on to the next up or down. Just an example....but people often forget that when trying for the first time.

Play the cords in a different progression on top of the mix and you might come up with a different melodie to sing to thats in key. THis is why listening from another room helps me alot because it delays notes and holds others. You can put chorus and reverb and delay on the mix and play it back and kinda relax and listen from another room. And listening while going to sleep helps me manytimes.

[Phototropic]

Hmm I'm a bit confused Merkaba, could you explain that a little more sorry?

I do understand bits of it but not fully