KVR Audio

ableton · Post by **ableton** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:59 pm

Hi,

I am just starting learning the basics of music theory and need your advise on few things.

I am aware that in music (also many other things) rules can be broken but for the purpose of keeping it simple for a beginner lets keep it to "best practices".

I have a bit of understanding of scales, chords, keys.

Let say I start writing a song by starting with the melody first.
Let just say I use the key of C and it is a C major scale.
When I start writing the other things for the song, bass, strings etc. do they
have to be on the same key & scale as my melody a did before?

How do you program creative arpeggios, any tutorial, book on that, or just practice makes us better?

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 1:01 am

Preferably yes.

I don't program arppegios I play them. There are two basic schools of thought for writing. Start with the progression or start with the melody. Eiherway you are going to have to know the chords. Usually by the first note I know the key I'm working in and the chord I'm playing against/over.
If you know what chords you are playing then you know whats going on in the bass, and can develop rhythmic values for the chords (stabs, arpeggios, patterns)

Id suggest you find a chord book. Get to know the chords. then it will make more sense when you try to arpeggiate them.

dandmkirkwood · Post by **dandmkirkwood** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:35 am

Do you have much knowledge about chord progression theory? Start with the basics, I,IV,V, relative minor. In the case of c maj it's C,F,G,Am. If there's a need for more dynamics you can ad in a 2nd,3rd, or even compound chords such as G/B, C/B. Be creative, it's really a matter of trying new things and finding something you really like. As for bass lines use the scale to move I. And out of the progression and get creative. Don't be afraid to try bass harmony eg. If the guitar is playing C try playing E or G on the bass, for extra dynamics. When adding in solo you don't have to stick to C maj scale. Your relative is Am minor so you can also use Am panatonic and Am blues. Be sure to resolve it back to C maj. You can also use F maj scale for something totally different. Again be experimental and see what tickles your fancy. Good luck

ableton · Post by **ableton** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:43 am

Thanks for the replies guys.
I guess I need to do some more reading on chords.

dandmkirkwood
Your relative is Am minor so you can also use Am panatonic and Am blues.

Do you mean Cmaj is related to Am? If so where can I find some material to read on which chord relates to which.
Sorry if I dont make much sense, its all new to me.

Thanks.

ariston · Post by **ariston** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:24 am

Here's a handy little tool to get started:

http://www.pianoworld.com/fun/vpc/piano_chords.htm

My advice on getting started is: if you have a keyboard to work with, start by holding down a C-Major chord (C-E-G). Then, improvise a simple little melody (I'm talkin' three notes max). Stay on the white keys and you can't go wrong. You can stick to the notes c - d - e - g - a if you want. F and H create more tension, since they're a half-note away from the notes in the chord.

Once you're comfortable with that, try to alternate C-Major and A-Minor. The corresponding minor scale is always three half-notes down from the tonic (the "starting point" of the scale). Again, these are all white keys we're talking about. Play CMaj for one beat, then AMin for the next. Rinse, repeat. Improvise another very simple little melody to fit with that.

You'll soon get a feel for what works and what doesn't. I'd really urge you to try out things first, then read up a little on the "rules" of harmony. If you read to much, chances are you'll think more than you'll listen.

Have fun!

dalor · Post by **dalor** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:31 am

Tuning advise: If you produce House-music, the answer lies within in the bassdrum that you prefer to use as the main key for your music

The bass-sound should not interfere with the lower end of the kickdrum frequencies. Shift your arrangement+bass around the lower end of the kick.

I remember Kim wrote something along these lines on his blog?

dandmkirkwood · Post by **dandmkirkwood** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:51 am

Cmaj and Am are relatives because they share the same scale and the same chords. Anything that works in C works in Am. Play the Am scale then play the Cmaj scale and you will notice they are the same. That's why related scales such as blues and panatonic work as well. If you want to find your relative minor it's 3 semitones back from the tonic eg: on the guitar, play Bmaj. Move back 3 frets to Ab, turn it into a minor and presto! Abm is Bmajors relative minor. This works in any key. Any more questions I'm happy to help

ableton · Post by **ableton** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:16 am

You guys are amazing. Very helpful suggestions.

dalor
The bass-sound should not interfere with the lower end of the kickdrum frequencies. Shift your arrangement+bass around the lower end of the kick.

Can you provide more information on this please?

dandmkirkwood · Post by **dandmkirkwood** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:54 am

i think he means if the key of the song is C u should aim for a bass drum that has a C tone to it. If a bass drum is tuned properly it will have tonal value. If your bass drum tuning is B or Bb it will conflict with your bass line.

Loki Fuego · Post by **Loki Fuego** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:42 am

dandmkirkwood wrote:i think he means if the key of the song is C u should aim for a bass drum that has a C tone to it. If a bass drum is tuned properly it will have tonal value. If your bass drum tuning is B or Bb it will conflict with your bass line.

You could tune to G as well if the bass isn't playing over kick drum.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:37 pm

ableton wrote: Do you mean Cmaj is related to Am? If so where can I find some material to read on which chord relates to which.
Sorry if I dont make much sense, its all new to me.

Thanks.

Do a google search for "circle of fifths".

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:13 pm

dandmkirkwood wrote:i think he means if the key of the song is C u should aim for a bass drum that has a C tone to it. If a bass drum is tuned properly it will have tonal value. If your bass drum tuning is B or Bb it will conflict with your bass line.

While I realize this has more to do with a synth tone that people call a kick drum, a bass drum is not tuned percussion. You won't find a single fundamental to focus on and it be a bass drum at all. Tuning drums is a VERY SUBTLE PRACTICE and there are a LOT more considerations than this suggests.

The thinking that you want to per se tune it to the tonic is dull thinking and even with synths this can, while guaranteeing 'safety', also ensure a plodding, dull effect. It's a kind of meme now, though, isn't it.

dandmkirkwood · Post by **dandmkirkwood** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:49 am

I tune my bass drum all the time. Even though it's dampened right down there's defiately a tone. I suppose it depends on taste. Some people tune it so it just goes thud. I like it when it has a nice tonal 'boom' that's just me.

manducator · Post by **manducator** » Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:59 am

ableton wrote:If so where can I find some material to read on which chord relates to which.

www.musictheory.net

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:22 pm

dandmkirkwood wrote:I tune my bass drum all the time. Even though it's dampened right down there's defiately a tone. I suppose it depends on taste. Some people tune it so it just goes thud. I like it when it has a nice tonal 'boom' that's just me.

when the key changes, do you retune every time, or do you just have the one note constantly that you must match?

why don't you post a sample and see how many can identify the pitch.

Best practice for writing parts of a song, key/scale question.