Blink 182 does a great job of writing the most intoxicating counter melodies that get stuck in your head so easily. Wouldn’t it be great if you could write counter melodies just as well as Blink 182?
Well, no one said you can’t similarly write Blink 182 counter melodies. Follow these 7 songwriting tips about composing killer counter melodies and you might rival Blink 182 some day.
1. Be mindful of frequencies if using two vocalists.
It’s easy to having conflicting melodies if using two vocalists because they may use the same frequency range. Blink 182’s vocalists, Mark Hoppus, and Tom Delonge, sing high and low however. Try to pick a range of notes for each vocalist that stays clear of the other.
2. Use similar or same chord progressions as your main melody.
If you listen to “Hold On” by Blink 182, you’ll notice they wrote their melodies in the same chord progression of the song. Don’t think you need to write completely new parts to have a counter melody. Fit two melodies into the same section to make that section more appealing.
3. Keep one melody longer and more flowing than the other.
Writing counter melodies that have diversity is the key. Keep one of your melodies long and flowing to lead the listeners’ ears along in the tune.
4. Keep another melody rigid and quicker.
Writing another one of your counter melodies to be rigid and fast will keep your song driving with the tempo. This will create a lot of interest like Blink 182’s songs.
5. Try to avoid hitting the same notes simultaneously.
When Blink 182 writes a song, they try to keep Delonge’s and Hoppus’s parts separate, but still very appealing. You need to try to do the same by giving each melody its own unique identity. Don’t create your counter melodies as just copies of another.
6. Put as much time and effort into one melody as you do the other.
Neglecting one melody over another can only detriment your song. No one wants to listen to a song where a poor melody ruins a good one. Put as much effort into one as you do the other for the best response.
7. Use the same singing style if possible.
Blink 182’s vocalists may have high and low voices, but their style of singing is very similar. If you’re using two vocalists, try to stick together as a team. Utilize each other’s strengths to turn your melodies into something incredibly strong.
Blink 182 may never stop writing these great counter melodies for their songs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t compete. Put these 7 songwriting tips into action and create some of the most appealing counter melodies you’ve ever heard.
