This sounds off-key?

[JulianVeloso]

http://www75.zippyshare.com/v/19391651/file.html

It's something i'm working on, showed it to a friend and he told me it sounded off-key to him...it's Ab, Vocals are in Ab, my melody is in Ab, that guitar is from the songs stems, so i'm guessing Ab...opinions?

[Sendy]

The middle section sounds a bit wrong. Especially some of those doubled voices, you've got the double creating some ugly intervals here and there. That ostinato part towards the end of the 2nd section also sounds odd, but I actually think odd in a good way. I thought the 3rd section with that chippy synth felt a bit "tacked on" as well.

[JulianVeloso]

The middle section sounds a bit wrong. Especially some of those doubled voices, you've got the double creating some ugly intervals here and there. That ostinato part towards the end of the 2nd section also sounds odd, but I actually think odd in a good way. I thought the 3rd section with that chippy synth felt a bit "tacked on" as well.

yeah, it does sound odd in some parts..thanks man!

[Nystul]

I think it's important to realize that having several parts based on the same scale will not guarantee they work together. It is usually a good starting point (if the parts are not the same key you are in very dangerous territory for pop music!). Every scale has some notes in it which clash with each other. A poorly timed clash can create that "wrong note" feeling. For a remix you should be aware of the chord progressions used in the original song. If you use different chords in some part you should listen critically to make sure it isn't creating any inappropriate clashes.

I do notice sometimes in remixes that it might start out sounding well matched and tight and then you get to some bridge section where the melody changes and it sounds like the producer didn't bother to listen that far but just kept looping his stuff. If the song changes you have to be prepared to change with it.

These are very general thoughts but maybe it will help.

[JulianVeloso]

I think it's important to realize that having several parts based on the same scale will not guarantee they work together. It is usually a good starting point (if the parts are not the same key you are in very dangerous territory for pop music!). Every scale has some notes in it which clash with each other. A poorly timed clash can create that "wrong note" feeling. For a remix you should be aware of the chord progressions used in the original song. If you use different chords in some part you should listen critically to make sure it isn't creating any inappropriate clashes.

I do notice sometimes in remixes that it might start out sounding well matched and tight and then you get to some bridge section where the melody changes and it sounds like the producer didn't bother to listen that far but just kept looping his stuff. If the song changes you have to be prepared to change with it.

These are very general thoughts but maybe it will help.

Yeah, i realized this the other day. The thing is i wanna create another feeling, i wanna use different chords if that's ok... because i've heard remixes that don't actually use the same chords. I know i did f**k up on that coldplay one haha. My problem is that i don't really know how to build chords depending on the tone, example: i wanna make a progression where the next chords sounds deeper, somes i can't accomplish this, i don't know which notes to move ( i do know i need to stay on the key ) but the chord won't sound the i want it.

[jancivil]

I thought the middle bit was interesting. there are dissonances rather than 'off-key'. I don't know the origin but given what it is I expect the 'problems' in this section are more interesting-sounding to me than that would tend to be. 'ugly' intervals, I don't know. there is some tension there.

for me, the synth in the last section came off as a bit clueless as to melodic interest and contour, perhaps exposing a lack of experience. so I expect that the middle section 'interest' was more or less out of guesswork. it's a good thing to find your own ways, try and err as opposed to reading a book and accepting premises you never tested; but if you want to gain some mastery, for instance the confidence to know 'this may be 'out' but it works for me and fvck y'all' that will take some time, some study. I recommend transcribing as much as you can grasp out of your ear; finding out what you aren't hearing and tuning your ear. and playing instruments in the midst of other musical action, such as in a group, some give and take.

the approach to music from a 'producer' POV seems to encourage a notion that facility is right around the corner... as opposed to approaching it with the patience of someone that realizes obtaining musicianship, a type of craftsmanship is an extended journey. Don't expect too much from the internet as far as knowledge coming, get your hands dirty IRL.

[xx JPRacer xx]

The middle section sounds a bit wrong. Especially some of those doubled voices, you've got the double creating some ugly intervals here and there. That ostinato part towards the end of the 2nd section also sounds odd, but I actually think odd in a good way. I thought the 3rd section with that chippy synth felt a bit "tacked on" as well.

yeah, it does sound odd in some parts..thanks man!

off topic: Sendy is a woman!

[JulianVeloso]

I thought the middle bit was interesting. there are dissonances rather than 'off-key'. I don't know the origin but given what it is I expect the 'problems' in this section are more interesting-sounding to me than that would tend to be. 'ugly' intervals, I don't know. there is some tension there.

for me, the synth in the last section came off as a bit clueless as to melodic interest and contour, perhaps exposing a lack of experience. so I expect that the middle section 'interest' was more or less out of guesswork. it's a good thing to find your own ways, try and err as opposed to reading a book and accepting premises you never tested; but if you want to gain some mastery, for instance the confidence to know 'this may be 'out' but it works for me and fvck y'all' that will take some time, some study. I recommend transcribing as much as you can grasp out of your ear; finding out what you aren't hearing and tuning your ear. and playing instruments in the midst of other musical action, such as in a group, some give and take.

the approach to music from a 'producer' POV seems to encourage a notion that facility is right around the corner... as opposed to approaching it with the patience of someone that realizes obtaining musicianship, a type of craftsmanship is an extended journey. Don't expect too much from the internet as far as knowledge coming, get your hands dirty IRL.

You're right about almost everything..And I'm getting my hands dirty IRL!

You also sound like a really smart guy..Thanks for the enlightening reply.