Melodic incorporation

[Quencho092]

I've written 3 songs for my band so far, and have had two different approaches: Starting with chords/progressions, and starting with bass lines.

Both songs have a different feel, but it has been difficult to incorporate melodies into them. Is it a better idea to try thinking up a melody, then coming up with chords to match it? I'm pretty much trying to come up with some catchy parts for our saxophone player.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Melodic incorporation

It can work both ways. I find it easier when I have a progression to lay my ideas over first though

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Melodic incorporation

Both ways could be just as interesting..Say If you wana go for the Chords/progression first.Then you have your base for a melody,Try messing around playing just the chord tones of the progression to get a feel of what the vibe of this progression could be etc..then if you went with the melody first,you could pick out the chords that would work over certain parts.