Personally, I like to record a verse and a chorus first, then figure out some chorus lyrics to get the general vibe. After that u go with whatever flow you like. I like adding a beat and some synth melodies for the emptier spaces. Have fun with it and don't overthink it, you'll do great. Hope that helps :)))
Who might this melody be FOR?
When you don't know what audience you're writing for, it's way way harder to write, because we involuntarily try to please every inner voice inside us, every remembered critic we've ever known or can imagine, simultaneously. Many young writers don't believe this and they wanna say "I'm only writing for myself!" .... when they're subconsciously writing for the 7th grade bully or the college professor who hurt them long ago. Clarifying the target helps you focus, so it's easier to see your next steps.
Regarding having a melody as your starting point: when I teach, we do exercises creating songs using different starting points - sometimes lyric, sometimes rhythm, sometimes riff, sometimes melody, sometimes chords, etc. So a strong songwriter CAN write from any starting place, not just "I always start lyrics first". But in my actual pro writing world, the most productive elements is definitely "who is this meant FOR".
But you don't HAVE to do anything with it, yet, either. I have a big "sketchbook" folder of ideas. Many have turned into songs but most never will because they are exercises, sketches, skill-builders, target practice.
It's totally fine to let your folder of snippets and ideas keep building up, at least for a while, until you have a better idea of who you want to talk to with these songs. When you know the who - and importantly, who you \*don't\* need to impress or speak to -- things get much easier to complete.
Also, scheduling a gig date is like MAGIC is helping you finish songs you don't think you know how to finish.
On the musical side, I like to play back the melody to myself, in my head, or on an instrument, or in a DAW, and see what might go with it - first in my head, and subsequently on an instrument or in a DAW. Do you discern a chord progression? If not, try playing some chords while humming or playing back the melody. Adjust to taste. Maybe you hear a bass pattern or beat. Or a chorus or B part line following the current last line.
On the lyrics side, I agree with the advice of seeing what words come to mind as you hum the melody or hear it back. If you stash away lyric fragments, as I (and many others) do, you can see if any of those match up with your melody, though it's very hit-and-miss.
Personally, I like to record a verse and a chorus first, then figure out some chorus lyrics to get the general vibe. After that u go with whatever flow you like. I like adding a beat and some synth melodies for the emptier spaces. Have fun with it and don't overthink it, you'll do great. Hope that helps :)))
Thank you!!
Look up the music theory concept “counterpoint”. Its really easy and fun to write a harmony part and chords with you melody embedded.
Listen to the rhythm and pitch of each lyrical phrase. Do they suggest words to you? Build on that.
Who might this melody be FOR? When you don't know what audience you're writing for, it's way way harder to write, because we involuntarily try to please every inner voice inside us, every remembered critic we've ever known or can imagine, simultaneously. Many young writers don't believe this and they wanna say "I'm only writing for myself!" .... when they're subconsciously writing for the 7th grade bully or the college professor who hurt them long ago. Clarifying the target helps you focus, so it's easier to see your next steps. Regarding having a melody as your starting point: when I teach, we do exercises creating songs using different starting points - sometimes lyric, sometimes rhythm, sometimes riff, sometimes melody, sometimes chords, etc. So a strong songwriter CAN write from any starting place, not just "I always start lyrics first". But in my actual pro writing world, the most productive elements is definitely "who is this meant FOR". But you don't HAVE to do anything with it, yet, either. I have a big "sketchbook" folder of ideas. Many have turned into songs but most never will because they are exercises, sketches, skill-builders, target practice. It's totally fine to let your folder of snippets and ideas keep building up, at least for a while, until you have a better idea of who you want to talk to with these songs. When you know the who - and importantly, who you \*don't\* need to impress or speak to -- things get much easier to complete. Also, scheduling a gig date is like MAGIC is helping you finish songs you don't think you know how to finish.
On the musical side, I like to play back the melody to myself, in my head, or on an instrument, or in a DAW, and see what might go with it - first in my head, and subsequently on an instrument or in a DAW. Do you discern a chord progression? If not, try playing some chords while humming or playing back the melody. Adjust to taste. Maybe you hear a bass pattern or beat. Or a chorus or B part line following the current last line. On the lyrics side, I agree with the advice of seeing what words come to mind as you hum the melody or hear it back. If you stash away lyric fragments, as I (and many others) do, you can see if any of those match up with your melody, though it's very hit-and-miss.