How to make an interesting melody?

[pure1108]

No matter how I approach a composition, it always ends up as some variation of something like

Cm G# A# Cm

or

Cm G# D# G

This is fine and all, but my melodies are absolutely awful. I'd really love to compose more but I just cannot write melodies- I do know scales but I think I really need some pointers, I would really appreciate any advice/tips, thanks so much 

[kakeithewolf]

First off, "interesting" is subjective. Some people find John Cage's "melodies" interesting, yet find the classics boring. Some people find counterpoint interesting, others find it to be unnecessary. Some people prefer a stricter adherence to theory, others prefer more free-form pieces. It's completely subjective.

Second off, it's a matter of instrument used. As far as piano goes, you're pretty sodding late to that party. There's not much left to be done on the instrument very nearly every composer has penned pieces aplenty for. There's only so many combinations you can try using theory before you're writing something that sounds the same as everything else.

Interesting is a matter of perspective.

[awesom_o]

I think it is less about making an interesting melody, and more about making a melody interesting.

[ted]

To me, creating a strong melody is almost like magic. You can wrestle for hours trying every intellectual trick and produce nothing, then out of the blue you turn up a melody which affects you all your life. It is surely the musical element least susceptible to reason.

[dima_76557]

@ pure1108

Work systematically on your craft (= the elements that *can* be learned) and then simply wait for inspiration to come. If it doesn't, it means you have nothing to say. Timeless art is NOT an intellectual exercise.

[m1469]

A big part of what makes a melody interesting is its harmonic pull, and part of its harmonic pull is how tones are set in time.  Also, something singable.

[pure1108]

Thanks so much guys, this is some really helpful advice 

[kakeithewolf]

A big part of what makes a melody interesting is its harmonic pull, and part of its harmonic pull is how tones are set in time.  Also, something singable.

I find Sorabji interesting, yet I cannot seem to sing any of his works...

[m1469]

I find Sorabji interesting, yet I cannot seem to sing any of his works...

I never said *only* singable melodies are interesting.  But it's certainly a decent guideline for a beginning!

[kakeithewolf]

I never said *only* singable melodies are interesting.  But it's certainly a decent guideline for a beginning!

That holds especially true for lieder.

[j_menz]

That holds especially true for lieder.

I think it probably holds more generally. Over the years, my idea of melody has expended, and a feeling even that music requires one has probably now disappeared. But they are a useful part of music, and the ability to write a good one would seem a fundamental of the craft of composition.

The advantage of making singable ones is that the voice seems to have its own logic, and serves as a good guide. Intervals that are awkward to sing are often awkward in other ways, too.