Hey, I've been owning a copy of Reason for quite some time now and I really really want to learn. I'm a total newbie right now, I don't know shit. Or well, I guess I've picked up pretty much on how to program basic melodies and stuff.

Thing is, I have no idea on how to create a good melody or not even copy a melody.
Since I'm a newbie I figured I might try to make a cover of some wellknown track... I've tried a few, like Lethal Industry for say, because it has an easy very clear melody... But lol, I just CAN'T! I try a few notes and then go out on the net to browse for the notes.
Pleease help me, how the fuck shall I learn? I have to, you've got any tips for me?

You might like to try the following:

1. Search this forum for other threads on writing melodies (there's been at least one recently)

2. Load some MIDI files and see what's going on in them

3. Learn some music theory (again, search for other threads on this subject)

4. Get lucky and, by chance, write some awesome melodies

Well, I've done most of the above ready (although I haven't really seriously read any music theory), and it seems I'm not improving. I just can't help thinking I'm waiting for something... ie if I get that new soft, I'll finally be able to start... or if I get enough money to buy that MIDI-KB...

It just seems I'm totally unmusical. But what's yer opinions? Can your musical talents be trained? Or am I a hopeless case? =)

When I do get money, I was thinking of buying Propellerheads book and tutorial-CD on Reason though, aswell as some decent music theory-books.

And oh... thx for the above tips

Heh, you might be tone deaf. Like my girlfriend, who can't tell certain pitches apart...

It can be trained though. If you don't have the natural talent, you just gotta work harder for it if you want it. A midi-keyboard does help for figuring out melodies, and even chords and harmonies when you get more musically trained.

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jimtran.net

listening to basic note intervals reallllly helps. I don't recommend getting the midi's for starting with melodies. i think its more important for an ear for pitch rather than the basics of putting together a melody. so, just try to copy some stuff you like, EXCEPT any psy. its usually too complicated in the begining. basic stuff is wut you should be looking for.

Well, I can distinguish tones and I can usually hear if they are lower or higher at least after a few tries but I have really big problems when trying to pick out a melody or something like that...

But you think a Midikeyboard might be of help? I've thought about that before and I think it would be a lot easier than trying to program notes (without knowing music theory) or playing them on your computer keyboard.
Might help me to get started at least. That and a book on music theory