Help me finish this track.

[parke02]

Heres the loop (1.29mb):

http://eugenepark81.googlepages.com/help.wav

This is an example of where I'll typically get stuck when working on a new track. I'll usually program a 2 to 4 bar drum loop, then add a couple synth parts. When I'm happy with the loop I'll start making it into an arrangement by removing, adding, or changing elements, adding variations to the drums, etc... The problem is a lot of the time I don't know how to turn the loop into an actual composition and I'll end up scrapping the project. I do this a lot and its pretty frustrating...

I'm still a beginner when it comes to music theory and I think it might be helpful if someobody could offer insight as to how they might add-on to this loop, or turn it into a composition. The problem is that I never have any clear direction with where I want to take an arrangment. I'm always just noodling around with different synth patches until I come upon a progression or phrase that I like.

I tried a Am-Fm-Dm-Em chord progression with some pads, messed around with some lead solos... but everything I try to add sounds horrible. By the way, can somebody please confirm that this track is in Am?

[Nystul]

You've got a nice groove going there. I tried comping along with it to see what happens. It is in Am for sure.

However, I really do not think you want Fm as your second chord. I'd go with F major. So really, the second chord and third chord can be the same notes, but the drop in the bass line changes the function of those notes.

For the E chord, either E7 or Em7 will get you back to your starting point. Personally, my strong tendency here would be to go with the E7 and treat the melody above it as being in A harmonic minor.

With this progression, you can pretty much stick to the white keys for melody and come out sounding OK. The big exception is that if you do use the dominant seventh on the end, then you use G# over it instead of G. Also, you should be aware that B natural will sound dissonant over the Fmaj and Dm chords. You can use it over those chords, but you must be very careful in doing so or it will sound very bad.

[chardin]

Good start parke02 and good advice from Nystul.

Also try playing each chord for 2 bars to get a longer sequence.
Or for something a little different, Am Dm Am F E7 (each chord for 1 bar for a 5 bar sequence).

[disasterpeace]

not bad!

[parke02]

Whoops, I meant F major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm not quite sure I understand them though..

Nystul:
"So really, the second chord and third chord can be the same notes, but the drop in the bass line changes the function of those notes."

Could you clarify this? I'm assuming by second and third chord you're referring to F and Dm...

"Personally, my strong tendency here would be to go with the E7 and treat the melody above it as being in A harmonic minor. "

I messed around with some E7 and Em7 progressions and E7 sounded better to my ears. By "treat the melody above it as being in A harmonic minor" are you referring to the use of G# in the E7 chord?

Chardin:

I don't understand how playing each chord for 2 bars can work here. Am for 2 bars will work, but a F chord on the 4th bar clashes with the bassline playing E...

I also don't understand how a 5 bar chord sequence over a 4 bar bassline. I'm not by my synths right now, so maybe I just need to try that chord sequence for it to make sense

Thanks again guys. I'm going to finish this track over the weekend, regardless of whether or not I like how it turns out. I'll post the results when I'm done.

Eugene

[Nystul]

Nystul:
"So really, the second chord and third chord can be the same notes, but the drop in the bass line changes the function of those notes."

Could you clarify this? I'm assuming by second and third chord you're referring to F and Dm...

All I meant was that if you play an FAC chord or pattern over the F you have your F chord, and if you keeping playing the same notes over the D you have Dm7. Of course the same thing is true with the A and F bass notes... you can play ACE over both and it changes from Am to Fmaj7. With all of these common notes, you can kind of blend between the chords in a variety of ways.

I messed around with some E7 and Em7 progressions and E7 sounded better to my ears. By "treat the melody above it as being in A harmonic minor" are you referring to the use of G# in the E7 chord?

Right. Since it is G# in the E7 chord, it should be G# in the melody during that part of the progression. You can play all white keys through the rest of the progression and it will sound fine, but if you play a G natural over the E7 it will clash.

[parke02]

Thanks for explaining that Nystul.

Here is the final arrangement.

http://eugenepark81.googlepages.com/5.02Rendered.mp3

Can't say I'm all that happy with it... its too repetitive, but its better than a 4-bar loop and its about time to move on.

Learning experience though... Thanks again guys