kayla

Thank you so much for your informative reply! The quint circle: I typed it in, in google and I still don't quite understand what it is. Do you mean the "circle of fifths"?

I'm 25 and have been really inspired by Lady Gaga who is able to write catchy pop music that capture everyone's attention. Ever since hearing her first dance hit I've wanted to be able to do something like this myself. The problem is I have no idea where to start, and how to get good at it. I used to play piano as a kid, but it was classical piano, and the focus was just performing a piece correctly. I had no idea how and why the music worked. I guess that's where theory comes into play? I don't even know how people become composers and songwriters. I'm taking piano lessons right now, focusing on classical performance, which I am not sure is taking me in the direction I want to go: to have great technique but also be able to write catchy tunes. So my question is how do I freaking start!? Learn chord progressions? I look at the crazy things Gaga can play on the piano and I don't think what she plays are simple chord progressions. Does learning to play classical pieces directly contradict my efforts at learning to craft melodies, you think? Are there any books you guys can recommend at least for a beginner like me to learn how to actually WRITE melodies? Thanks so much for any advice.