Melodic Development + EDM
Soundtrap: Melodic Development + EDM
Melody plays an important role in electronic dance music (EDM). To compliment the driving nature of the drums and bass, melodies are often developed with repetition to catch the listeners ear and manage the energy of the track. While motivic development is used in heavily in EDM, it is also used in the melody writing of every genre.
Learn how to develop melodies and use the idioms of EDM to make your own dance tracks.
History
The Rise of Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
The roots of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s when electronic music started gaining popularity. Genres like disco and synth-pop laid the foundation for the evolution of EDM. Disco tracks like "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees (1977) and "Funky Town" by Lipps Inc. (1979) incorporated electronic elements and grooves that got people moving on the dance floor.
Electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines became more accessible, allowing musicians to explore new sounds and create electronic-based music. With songs like “Autobahn” (1974) artists like Kraftwerk, a German electronic band, were pioneers in experimenting with synthesizers and electronic beats, laying the groundwork for the future of EDM. Synth-pop songs like New Order's "Blue Monday" (1983) and Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" (1981) used synthesizers to create catchy melodies and pulsating basslines, setting the stage for the rise of EDM.
As the 1990s rolled in, a new wave of electronic music emerged, characterized by high-energy beats and repetitive patterns. This era saw the rise of sub-genres like techno, house, and trance. Techno, with its driving beats and futuristic soundscapes, originated in Detroit and quickly spread to Europe, where it gained a massive following. Iconic techno tracks such as "Strings of Life" by Derrick May (1987) and "Go" by Moby (1991) exemplified the genre's pulsating rhythms and electronic textures.
House music, which originated in Chicago, focused on soulful vocals, funky basslines, and infectious rhythms that kept dance floors moving. Classic house tracks like "Jack Your Body" by Steve "Silk" Hurley (1986) and "French Kiss" by Lil Louis (1989) showcased the genre's ability to create a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere.
Trance music, known for its melodic and uplifting qualities, captivated listeners with its soaring synths and euphoric atmosphere. Tracks such as "Children" by Robert Miles (1995) and "Adagio for Strings" by William Orbit (1999) exemplified the genre's emotional and uplifting nature, transporting listeners to transcendent states of mind.
During the 2000s, EDM started to cross over into the mainstream. Artists like Daft Punk with "One More Time" (2000) and The Chemical Brothers with "Hey Boy Hey Girl" (1999) brought electronic music to the masses with their catchy tunes and memorable hooks. Their music blended electronic elements with pop sensibilities, appealing to a wide audience and paving the way for EDM's commercial success.
In the late 2000s and early 2010s, EDM experienced a surge in popularity, thanks in part to advancements in technology and the rise of social media. Producers like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Avicii dominated the charts, collaborating with popular singers and infusing EDM with elements of pop, hip-hop, and rock. Tracks like David Guetta's "Titanium" (2011) featuring Sia and Avicii's "Wake Me Up" (2013) featuring Aloe Blacc became massive hits, showcasing EDM's ability to reach a broad audience.
In recent years, EDM has continued to evolve and diversify. Sub-genres like dubstep, trap, and future bass have gained prominence, pushing the boundaries of electronic music even further. Artists like Skrillex with "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" (2010), Diplo with "Lean On" (2015) featuring Major Lazer, and Marshmello with "Alone" (2016) have become household names, fusing EDM with elements of bass-heavy drops, hip-hop influences, and experimental sounds.
EDM has not only influenced popular music but has also shaped the modern club and festival culture. Events like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland have become massive gatherings of EDM fans, showcasing the genre's immense appeal and attracting thousands of attendees from all over the world. These festivals feature a diverse range of EDM artists, from mainstream acts to underground talent, creating unforgettable experiences on dance floors.
Today, EDM remains a powerful force in the music industry, constantly evolving and adapting to new trends and technologies. Its ability to unite people through the shared experience of music and dance continues to make it a beloved genre worldwide. Whether you're dancing at a festival, listening to a DJ set, or exploring the latest tracks from emerging artists, EDM is a testament to the limitless possibilities of electronic music and the power it has to move us.
Listen
Its all about energy
EDM is all about controlling the energy of a crowd on the dance floor. Listen to how the following elements are used to manipulate energy of the tracks in the Spotify playlist:
Rhythmic intensity
Automated effects
Layering
Patch palettes
Instrumentation
Melodic Development
Melodic development is a foundational element in melody writing and improvisation. The technique can bring interest and life to the most basic of melodic material and can make music sound more mature.
Learn about the different ways a melody can be developed below and try your hand at developing a melody in the Soundtrap Worksheet Template. Use your ear and melodic development to complete the melodic statements in the Soundtrap Questions + Answer Template.
If you prefer standard notation, scores are available on Noteflight for
Motif
A melodic cell is called a motif. It is usually one measure in length and can be repeated and altered within a phrase to create melodic development.
Exact Repetition
The motif is repeated in its original form over all of the chords in a progression.
Like Repetition
The notes of the original cell are altered to better fit the chords in a progression.
Sequence
The motif is moved up or down in each repetition. The notes of the cell are changed to fit the chords in a progression, but the general shape and rhythm stays the same.
Altering A Motif
Changing the rhythm and pitch of a motif can make it sound different from the original. Alter a melodic cell throughout a phrase to give it more movement or alter it in repeated sections to take something that the listener is familiar and turn it into something new.
Subtraction
Take away notes within a motif.
Value Change
Change the rhythmic value of one or more of the notes.
Discplacement
Move one or more of the notes over by a given subdivision.
Pitch Change
Change the pitch of a note(s) up or down.
Addition
Add a note to the original motif.
Multiple Addition
Add more than one note to the original motif.
Putting It together
This motif has been altered in every measure following an ABCB pattern. The The result of developing a melody in a predictable pattern is that the melodic material is familiar, but not overused. Writing melodies this way is a great way to make memorable statements in your song.
Idioms
There are composition and production elements that are unique to EDM that define its sound. These tools can take different forms and the ways in which the producer crafts and uses these idioms depends on their taste and the specific dance genre being written. The examples in this section are played as both isolated tracks and in the mix of a song to better clarify each tool.
Riser
A riser is a synth or noise that either raises in pitch, volume, or filter parameter. These are usually added in builds to create tension in transitions between sections. Risers can be created manually in Soundtrap, but they can also be added as samples. CLICK HERE to download a free riser sample pack from Abletoons.com.
Rhythmic Compression
Rhythmic compression occurs when the note values of a repeated drum sound, chord, lead, or sample are shortened to create a feeling of forward momentum. Compression is used within builds to add energy to a transition.
Automated Filters
A hi pass filter allows only high frequencies to pass through. These filters are often automated within a section or in a build to gradually brighten the sound of a drum groove, chordal part, or lead. Other filters and effects like slicing, panning, and chorus effects can be automated in these sections as well.
Impacts
Impacts are usually created by combining a kick sound with a bass drop. These are placed within the hole after a build to kick off a new section. The bass drop used in this example came from Soundtrap’s sample library and was duplicated down an octave.
Holes
A hole is a rhythmic cutting of the drum groove, bass line, chord part, or lead that create a period of silence. This silence acts as a breathe after a build before a new section starts or as rhythmic material during a song section. Holes can remain silent or can be filled with a vocal sample or a melody.
Form
A dance track’s form is used to manipulate the energy of the listener. Each song section gradually increases energy and that energy is amplified further in the builds before new sections. A standard track starts with a thin texture intro and builds to the verse. Some tracks have one verse, while others have multiple verses with changes of energy between. The verse(s) transition to the highest energy section in the song- the drop. After the drop, it is conventional to start the form over again with slight variations in texture. The second drop is sometimes lengthened and augmented before the ending.
Phrase lengths of song sections are in multiples of two measures (two, four, eight, sixteen) to create predictability. Builds use harmonic and rhythmic material from the previous sections, but add to their length. This makes the phrase structure unbalanced, creating more tension before a transition.
Intro: The least energetic of the sections, the intro usually has limited percussion and chordal parts ore often longer note durations.
Build: Builds occur before new sections and use EDM idioms to create tension. Drum grooves are sometimes suspended during builds.
Verse: This section usually has a medium level of energy. The focus of the verse is usually more melodic than rhythmic. There can be multiple verse sections in a track and they are usually separated by a drop in energy.
Drop: The section with the most energy and drive. Drums hit hard during a drop and the focus of the material is more on rhythm than melody.
Referencing
Referencing is one of the most powerful tools for a producer. Using a track as a reference is easy: download a copy of the track and drag it into your DAW. Most DAWs will automatically change the speed of the original recording to match your project recording. Use the reference track as a model for the following elements:
Form: this includes how many measures are in a phrase, how many phrases are in a section, and the order of the sections
Mix: the overall volume of each track compared to each other, how they are panned left and right to create a stereo image, and how the different instruments are EQ’d to fill the sonic spectrum.
Patch Palette: the sounds that are used for the different instruments and how they blend together. If a stock instrument doesn’t sound the way you want, you might have to create it with synthesis, bring a sound into the sampler, or alter it with effects.
Example
Best Thing Ever
Best Thing Ever was written using the song Alone by Marshmallow as its reference for form. The vocal elements were created using a vocaloid from Synthesizer V and exported into Soundtrap. A vocaloid is a computer generated voice that is created by combining MIDI data and vocal syllables. The most famous vocaloid is Hastune Miku, whose voice and animated figure are used by many music producers for recorded and live performances.
Learn more about how the track was created by watching the overview video. Open the track up in Soundtrap to dig into the melodic development and use of EDM idioms for yourself.
Apply
Soundtrap Project
Write and produce a dance track using melodic development and EDM idioms.
Choose a reference track, bring it into Soundtrap, and match it to the grid (120-150bpm).
Start writing the drop first and work backwards to either the intro or the verse(s).
Write the first half of the song and then copy and paste the intro, verse(s), and drop to create the second half. Alter the texture, add variation, and lengthen the second drop to complete the track.
EDM Suggestions
Follow the suggestions for each category below to make your EDM track sound as authentic as possible.
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• Layer drum patches in sections to create a full sound.
• Don’t be afraid to use the four on the floor drum pattern.
• Accent the off beat with a single or double hi hat.
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• Layer bass sounds: one sound should be a higher octave with coloration (distortion or saw) to add brightness and character, and the other should be a simple sine wave (sub bass).
• Chord progressions that use parallel motion (chords that are next to each other in the scale) are popular in EDM. Other chord progressions can be used as well.
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• Experiment with the following syncopated rhythm for punches.
◦ Eighth Note Version | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
◦ Sixteenth Note Variation | 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a
• Use the outer voices of voice led triads for ostinatos.
• Choose patterns between the bottom (b), middle (m), and top (t) voices for arpeggios and apply automated filters to created tension to arpeggios during builds.
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• Write a one measure melodic statement over the main chord progression and develop it into a four measure phrases.
• Use snippets of the phrase with repetition during builds.
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• Add risers during each build section.
• Add holes during a song section or at the end of a build for the transition.
• Add impacts with a kick and a bass drop at the beginning of each hole.
• Use an automated sweep filter on a chordal part, or drum groove to build energy throughout a section or during a build.
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Balance
• Use your ear to find a good balance between the different tracks in the song. No one track should overpower the others
• It’s best to cut volumes, then to boost them.
Panning
• Center: Leads, bass, snare, kick
• Left/Right: Tracks with patches in similar frequency ranges should be panned to left and right to create a larger sound and to avoid clashing.
• Place effects and hi frequency secondary drum sounds in the stereo image.
EQ
• EDM is all about the bass, but it’s easy to have a muddy frequency bands. Use a low cut filter to to keep the low frequency range clear:each range clear: roll off 50hz for the kick, 40hz for the sub bass, 80hz for top bass, and 100hz for everything else.
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