write a #1 song! (Patreon)

Can you think of a popular song that uses 0-0-0?

It's a myth you have to wait to be inspired to write your own music. No....you don't have to conduct a seance with candles lit in an enchanted castle to make a hit track. The truth is, music composition can be reduced to a scientific process. It's just like going to the gym, the more you do it, the stronger you get. Below is my simple 3 step process to writing your own music (full tabs below!)

1. Pedal Tone

All hit songs utilize recurring pitches or "pedal tones." A pedal tone provides a reference to the root, establishing context for the listener. Without a reference to the root, you're making ATONAL music. Try listening to composers like Arnold Schoenberg below for an idea of what music without pedal tones is like. OUCH MY EARS!!!

MOONDRUNK by Arnold Schoenberg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OMOhmfP9I

2. Melody

Add a melodic line to your pedal tone in step 2. This gives your music a memorable hook people can latch onto. Don't get too fancy with your melody. It's best if you choose a scale and move in mainly stepwise motion. I chose the E minor scale and moved the melody up 3 notes, then back down. You can also hear a second line below moving in contrary motion. This is one of Bach's favorite ideas

3. Riff 

James Hetfield of Metallica claims the RIFF is the most important aspect of the song. Combine your melody and pedal tone with an interesting rhythm to win women's hearts....I mean to get some sausage muhahaha

Been working on something original? Share a youtube link to your own track below!