Writing Vocal Melodies

[MickyM]

Hey everyone,

Is it ever a bad idea to write vocal melodies by playing the notes on the guitar, and then singing them? I've been doing this for the last 4-5 songs and I'm starting to think it might sound a little artificial?? But i'm a poor singer so its my best way of writing them. I'll be getting someone else to sing them alright. But as a bad singer I find if the notes are there I can sing them but I'm hopeless with out any backing notes playing the vocal melody.

What did the famous songwriters do? Write melodies on instruments and then sing those notes, or just sing over the chords till something sounded good?

Thanks,
Mick

[crusty]

I think you're cool doing what ever works for you. I don't think there's any one method used by songwriters, although probably more often than not they have a melody come into thier head which they try singing along with the chords on guitar or piano.

[Reags]

I've written songs in a number of differnet ways. Melody then lyrics then chords. Chords, words then melody. Words, chords, melody.

For me it just depends on what I have to work with at any time. Just go with what works for you my friend.