A hook is a short musical idea — a few notes with a clear rhythm — that people remember. Most writers vary their melodies too much; repeating an idea makes it stick.

  1. Start with a tiny idea: two to seven notes you can hum.
  2. Repeat it, changing one thing each time — a note, a word, the rhythm, or the ending. A dependable shape: idea, idea again, idea again, then a different ending.
  3. Give the verse and the chorus different ideas, so each part is recognisable.
  4. Shape it: balance going up with coming down, step back after a leap, and aim for one high point — ideally on a strong beat.
  5. Land on chord notes on the strong beats (1 and 3), and step between them on the weak ones.
  6. Leave space: rests let the song breathe, and let an instrument answer the voice (call and response).
  7. Put the chorus higher than the verse, keep it within about an octave, and save any big leap for the hook.