3 answers
Sama
Student
Saudi Arabia
12
Questions
Asked
1802 views
How can I make my melodies more unique and emotional without making them too complicated?
Also I had like to ask, What are some tips for standing out in songwriting competitions or K-pop auditions with original songs?
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3 answers
Sunwoo Lee
Composer
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sunwoo’s Answer
The way to make a good melody is to use the chord tone, but you can make a better melody by using the tension sound properly. For example, if it's CM7, you can add D, F, or B to the melody to make a more luxurious melody.
And it's also a good way to copy many kpop songs.
I recommend you turn on the recorder and hum the song while making the melody. It's good to avoid chord tone as much as possible while searching for tension in advance.
And it's also a good way to copy many kpop songs.
I recommend you turn on the recorder and hum the song while making the melody. It's good to avoid chord tone as much as possible while searching for tension in advance.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Mina
Adam Menicucci
Composer
1
Answer
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Adam’s Answer
I agree with Sunwoo. If you want melodies to be really emotional and impactful, you want to use non-chord tones, like suspensions, in just the right spots. Having a clear motif that you can play around with also helps. Additionally, as a friend of mine says, "a melody cannot flourish if it does not have the right support," or in other words, the right harmony. Make sure your harmony is reminiscent of K-pop-style harmonies to give it that Korean feel. Let me know if you have any other questions :)
Learn music theory (easier said than done), and once you have learned the basics, begin by analyzing the chordal and melodic structure of K-pop songs. You'll likely find similarities that all Korean pop music share.
Adam recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Adam!
Mina
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Sama! I’ve already shared some advice on making melodies unique and emotional in your previous questions, so I won’t repeat everything, but let me quickly sum up what Sunwoo and Adam said because they gave some solid tips. 🙌
Sunwoo’s tip: Play around with tension notes (like D, F, or B in a CM7 chord) to add that extra spark to your melody. Also, try recording yourself humming freely—it helps you find fresh ideas without overthinking.
Adam’s tip: Non-chord tones and suspensions make melodies more emotional. Having a clear motif (a musical “theme” you can tweak throughout the song) is a game-changer. And of course, your harmony needs to match that signature K-pop vibe.
And for songwriting competitions/auditions: Make sure your song has that “wait, what was THAT?!” moment. Maybe it’s a sudden melody twist, an emotional high note, or a unique phrase that makes people stop and pay attention. Judges listen to a LOT of songs, so yours needs to grab them within seconds!
Most importantly—keep going, Sama! Your passion is everything. You don’t need fancy equipment, just your ideas, your voice, and that unstoppable determination you have. Keep writing, keep singing, and don’t stop experimenting. You never know which melody might be the one that gets you noticed! All the best girl! 😇
Reverse Engineer K-pop Hits – Take a song you love and break it down like a detective. Why does the melody stick? How do the notes flow? Try rewriting it with small changes—different rhythms, note choices, or even flipping sections. This helps you train your ear and creativity at the same time.
Sing Like You’re Acting – K-pop isn’t just about catchy tunes; it’s about feeling. If your song is sad, make your melody feel like a sigh or a longing call. If it’s confident, add bold jumps and strong notes. Think of your voice like a character in a drama—it’s not just about the notes, but how you deliver them.
Play With Unexpected Rhythms – K-pop loves surprising rhythm changes. Try shifting beats, adding pauses, or playing with syncopation (where you stress unexpected beats). It keeps things fresh and unpredictable.
The Ultimate Catchiness Test – Sing your melody to someone (friends, family, your neighbor who might be slightly scared of your musical experiments). If they start humming it later without realizing it—you’ve got a hit!
Sunwoo’s tip: Play around with tension notes (like D, F, or B in a CM7 chord) to add that extra spark to your melody. Also, try recording yourself humming freely—it helps you find fresh ideas without overthinking.
Adam’s tip: Non-chord tones and suspensions make melodies more emotional. Having a clear motif (a musical “theme” you can tweak throughout the song) is a game-changer. And of course, your harmony needs to match that signature K-pop vibe.
And for songwriting competitions/auditions: Make sure your song has that “wait, what was THAT?!” moment. Maybe it’s a sudden melody twist, an emotional high note, or a unique phrase that makes people stop and pay attention. Judges listen to a LOT of songs, so yours needs to grab them within seconds!
Most importantly—keep going, Sama! Your passion is everything. You don’t need fancy equipment, just your ideas, your voice, and that unstoppable determination you have. Keep writing, keep singing, and don’t stop experimenting. You never know which melody might be the one that gets you noticed! All the best girl! 😇
Dr recommends the following next steps: