How to Recognize Great Melodic Techniques by Ear & How Modern Artists Craft Earworm Melodies & The Connection to Harmony
Memorable melodies share specific characteristics:
Repetition with Variation
"Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran repeats its main melodic phrase but changes it slightly each time. This balance keeps you engaged without overwhelming you.The Hook
"Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake has that "got that sunshine in my pocket" line that burrows into your brain. Great hooks are simple, repeatable, and emotionally satisfying.Question and Answer
"Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen uses melodic phrases that feel like questions ("Hey, I just met you") answered by other phrases ("and this is crazy"). This creates natural conversation in music.Hear It In Action
Listen to "Someone Like You" by Adele. Notice how the verse melody stays low and conversational, building tension. Then the chorus explodes upward with "Never mind, I'll find someone like you" – that melodic leap mirrors the emotional breakthrough. The melody tells the story as much as the words do.Today's melodic masters use specific techniques:
Max Martin's Formula
The producer behind hits for Britney, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd uses: - Melodic math (counting syllables and notes) - Vowel placement on high notes - Repetition in blocks of 4 or 8Billie Eilish's Whisper Power
"Bad Guy" uses small melodic intervals that feel conversational, making complex ideas feel intimate and accessible.Post Malone's Melodic Loops
"Circles" uses circular melodic patterns that mirror the song's theme of being stuck in patterns.Fun Fact Box
The "Millennial Whoop" – that "wa-oh-wa-oh" pattern in countless 2010s pop songs – works because it uses the 5th and 3rd notes of the scale, creating instant familiarity and satisfaction. You've heard it in songs by Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, and dozens more. It's melody stripped down to its most addictive essence!While melody is the main character, it doesn't work alone. In our next chapter, we'll explore harmony – how multiple notes work together to support, enhance, and sometimes transform melodic meaning.
Remember: Every melody you've ever loved, from "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to "Blinding Lights," uses these same techniques. The greatest composers and the latest TikTok hit-makers draw from the same melodic toolbox. Now you understand not just what makes melodies catchy, but why certain tunes transcend time, culture, and genre to become part of humanity's shared musical language.# Chapter 12: Understanding Harmony: How Multiple Notes Work Together in Music
When Pentatonix performs their stunning a cappella version of "Hallelujah," there's no instrumental backing – just five voices creating magic. That rich, full sound that gives you chills? That's harmony in action. From the Beach Boys' lush vocal arrangements to Billie Eilish's whispered layers, harmony transforms simple melodies into three-dimensional emotional experiences. This chapter will teach you to hear and understand how multiple notes work together to create music's most powerful moments.