Foundations: write and finish a song · Lesson 3 of 7

Melody and lyrics: writing the part people remember

22 minFoundationalFree

Melody and lyric are the part of a record that survives being covered, stripped back, or badly compressed on someone's phone speaker. They're also the part no plugin improves. This lesson is craft rather than theory — what makes a line singable, and what makes it worth singing twice.

What you’ll be able to do

Write a melody with shape rather than one that wanders
Match stressed syllables to strong beats so lines sound natural
Write specifically instead of reaching for the obvious phrase
Recognise when a co-writer has become a co-owner

Inside this lesson

1Watch first: fitting words to a tune
2Melodies need shape
3Make the words sit right
4Write the specific thing
5Two writers means two owners

In the app

Take this lesson in the LUCY app

Open it in LUCY and the lesson rewrites itself around the music you make, reads itself aloud while you work, and answers questions about your own releases. Free with your account.

Rewritten around your genre and where you're at
A coach that can see the releases in your account
Narrated — put it on while you work
A badge for the track when you finish it

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In this lesson you will learn: Write a melody with shape rather than one that wanders. Match stressed syllables to strong beats so lines sound natural. Write specifically instead of reaching for the obvious phrase. Recognise when a co-writer has become a co-owner.

About this lesson

Melody and lyric are the part of a record that survives being covered, stripped back, or badly compressed on someone's phone speaker. They're also the part no plugin improves. This lesson is craft rather than theory — what makes a line singable, and what makes it worth singing twice.

What this lesson covers

Write a melody with shape rather than one that wanders

Match stressed syllables to strong beats so lines sound natural

Write specifically instead of reaching for the obvious phrase

Recognise when a co-writer has become a co-owner

Inside this lesson

Watch first: fitting words to a tune

Melodies need shape

Make the words sit right

Write the specific thing

Two writers means two owners

Take this lesson in the LUCY app

Open this lesson in LUCY and it rewrites itself around the music you make, reads itself aloud while you work, and answers questions about your own releases. Finish the track and the badge is yours. Free with a LUCY account.