Video summary

How To Get Better At Writing Lead Melodies

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons

  • Use a MIDI keyboard (if possible) to improve lead melody writing and improvisation, because physical play provides a level of “expression” you can’t get from mouse-clicking.
  • Learn and memorize one scale deeply to build reliable note selection for improvising.
    • Practice going up and down the scale until it feels natural.
    • Start with only one scale; you can transpose it to other keys later.
    • Examples mentioned: D major / B minor as a starting idea; F# major / D# minor as something a friend uses; C major is described as easiest for many people.
  • Build muscle memory through repetition of the scale notes so you can instinctively choose notes while improvising.
  • Improvise with backing tracks using the key/scale—ignore theory at first.
    • After memorizing the scale, create or use a simple backing track (described as two repeating chords in the key area of B minor / D major).
    • Play random notes within the key, like a jam session (similar to “crazy jazz musician” practice).
    • The goal is a feeling for the notes, not thinking through theory.
  • Don’t be afraid to sound bad early.
    • Early attempts will likely sound horrible, but the priority is feeling the notes and keeping practice fun.
  • After comfort, add “spice” with chromatic approaches.
    • Insert chromatic notes (outside the scale) as passing tones once the scale is familiar.
    • Use them to move by half-steps toward a target note in the scale.
    • Don’t linger on chromatic tones too long—use them to transition so it doesn’t become overly clashy/dissonant.
  • Use small performance tricks / exercises, including:
    • Arpeggios
      • Defined as singling out chord tones (instead of playing chords all at once).
      • Example referenced: D major 7 arpeggio idea.
      • Benefits: build finger strength and provide fallback notes during improvisation.
      • Application example: moving through a progression (e.g., B minor 7 → E minor 7) by playing notes that match the current arpeggio.
    • Humming melodies
      • Hum an idea, then play it on the keyboard to translate ideas into notes.
      • If unsure of key/notes: use a tuner, sing/record the idea, and apply the tuner-detected notes to the instrument.
    • Learn melodies you can sing
      • The best melodies are those you can sing.
      • Learning them helps you generate ideas and understand what makes a melody work.
      • Mentions learning/using a melody similar to “Oh, baby…” (referenced by singing).
    • Staccato/jumping between notes as an articulation technique.
    • Copy licks from songs to build a vocabulary of phrases that become muscle memory.
  • Add recognizable “licks,” including chromatic runs.
    • A Nintendo/video-game-like approach is described:
      • In a chosen scale (example: D major), start on a specific scale degree (example given: the second note: E).
      • Then chromatically descend for four notes, and repeat the concept starting on another scale degree (example mentioned around the fifth note).
      • Similar approach works in C major as well.
  • Overall process
    • Get familiar with the key/scale → unlock muscle memory → jam with backing tracks → then expand using arpeggios, chromatics, licks, copying melodies, and articulation changes.
    • Continued “jam sessions” lead to gradual improvement.

Methodology / step-by-step instructions (as presented)

  1. Get access to a MIDI keyboard
    • Prefer a keyboard you can play (2+ octaves; more is fine).
    • If you can’t, clicking can help temporarily, but learning keys is recommended.
  2. Choose a scale
    • Learn one scale first (examples: D major / B minor, F# major / D# minor, C major).
    • Memorize it; you can transpose later instead of learning everything immediately.
  3. Practice the scale physically
    • Practice going up and down the scale by repetition until it’s familiar.
  4. Build muscle memory
    • Repetition should make in-key notes feel instinctive, enabling fluent improvisation.
  5. Jam with a simple backing track
    • Use a backing track in the key (speaker mentions a simple one with two repeating chords).
    • Play random notes within the scale/key.
    • Don’t focus on theory; focus on developing a feel.
    • Treat it as repeated jam sessions over time.
  6. Embrace sounding bad at first
    • Mistakes are normal early on.
    • Keep it fun to sustain practice.
  7. After comfort: add chromatic passing tones
    • Add chromatic notes as half-step connectors to nearby scale notes.
    • Use chromatics as quick transitions; don’t linger to avoid harsh dissonance.
  8. Add additional exercises / tools
    • Arpeggios
      • Practice chord-tone sequences up/down (and longer runs).
      • Use them as a fallback when you’re stuck.
    • Humming + tuner workflow
      • Hum a melody idea, then find it on the keyboard.
      • If unsure, use a tuner to identify notes from your sung/recorded idea.
    • Staccato/jump technique
      • Experiment with rhythm and articulation by jumping between notes.
    • Learn singable melodies
      • Learn melodies you can sing to understand strong patterns and generate your own ideas.
    • Copy licks
      • Build a reusable “phrase vocabulary” for improvisation.
    • Chromatic run lick
      • Example: start on a chosen scale degree, then run chromatically for several steps, using nearby context.
  9. Repeat and expand
    • Keep jamming to reinforce muscle memory.
    • Gradually add new techniques (arpeggios, chromatics, licks, melody copying).

Speakers / sources featured

  • Primary speaker: a YouTube creator (unnamed in the subtitles) who explains their process and references teaching themselves.
  • Referenced source type: YouTube backing tracks / backing tracks (no specific channel named).
  • Referenced artist/work (explicitly named): Daniel Caesar (mentioned by name).
  • General style reference: “Nintendo/video game music” (used as an example).

Original video