How can you write original and commercially appealing melodies?

Keep it simple. Not that I feel there is a certain way on how to be successful.... But. If you look at current and past (last 30 years) popular music, what many of these songs have in common is a rather simple structure. The 4 chord phenomenon. Many of the wide known pop songs have a very similar structure with 4 chords in the verse and maybe 3-4 in the chorus. It's the same with many folk songs and lullabies. Simple melodies people can remember and hum and sing to it. These structures are widely known and are being reused over and over. There are of course other factors playing into it.

The most important thing, regardless of genre, is to follow your muse. Too much music is based on following commercial genre trends. A.I. music creation software and streaming algorithms are making this worse, which will only lead to a decline in the artistic quality of music.

Knowing who you are marketing to and targeting that market is crucial. Writing for high school wind ensembles is going to be different than writing for commercials. Gathering awareness and traction in these niches are additionally important, so make sure to research how where and how to achieve this.

Simply feel it. I still have no idea of how I compose music. It happens. If I try to manage things in an early stage I will ruin it. After the idea sounds in your time its time to work it, work it and work it.

No. Minor scales can be happy, and mayor sad. It depends in a lot of things, like rhythm, melodic structure, etc. Use any king of scales as suggestions for your creativity. Your feeling inthat moment will be reflected on what you create. Of course some of those scales have a specific mood because of their usage, historically. But break it, why not? or simply get impregnated by it, that atmosphere and leave it evolving in your ears as you drive your car, cook or whatever you do. Remember, if you approach composing from theory, you will get nothing. Don't try a sad melody using a minor scale. Create it by feeling sad. Simply as that. And listen it as it emerges. Do not think.

Experimentation is good. Try everything but not at the same time. Probably with a simple gesture of your fingers around the keyboard may suggest something. Remember the inspiration lives inside your head, not in your hands. Normally the more stupid thing or error can call it. But you must be prepared to listen it, and then follow it as it grows free in your ears. For me its really a kind of magic, like scratching a treasure in the sand. Then you will have enough time to understand the structure and apply all the theory you know. But first things first: listen, don't think.

Study the music you enjoy and some that may seem out of reach. As you learn more about a tradition, it will show you its secrets. The more time you spend learning the great musical traditions, the more music will be inside you, waiting to come out. Notes have gravity. Allow that gravity to guide the notes. That gravity works within melodies and over chords and rhythms. Feel each note and follow your muse, wherever it leads. Don't compromise the integrity of the music. Let the music be what it wants to be.

Rubbish. There is no rule for an appealing melody..or you move people or you don’t…simply. If you seriously love and are moved by what you write, that is a good start…then maybe you can move others…maybe…