KVR Audio

AB69 · Post by **AB69** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:07 pm

I understand basic music theory but have been having a lot of trouble trying to find the chords to this track.

I know it is in E flat minor scale but I can't pinpoint the exact notes. I think it is something like F#, D#, A#, but can't really get anything else.

Can someone please point me in the right direction or help me get figure out the chords/melody of this track so I can form a midi of it? Thanks.

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:10 pm

I'm a drummer still learning music theory myself but these PDFs have helped me a ton. Print them out and set by the midi keyboard. https://www.scottbradford.us/nav/music/musician-aids/

arkmabat · Post by **arkmabat** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 10:18 pm

Melodyne DNA can pick out single notes from a chord supposedly. Not sure how well that works in a real-life application and I don't have it to test.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Sat Sep 05, 2015 11:44 pm

AB69 wrote:I know it is in E flat minor scale but I can't pinpoint the exact notes. I think it is something like F#, D#, A#, but can't really get anything else.

You might be surprised to hear that there's no D# in Eb minor. Eb minor contains an Eb (the name kinda gives it away). It also contains Bb an Gb. /smartalecmode

If you want to figure out chords, you need to just sit down and keep at it until you get there. Grab a guitar or keyboard and play along until it sounds right.

Practice makes perfect, and over time you'll find it a lot easier and will recognise standard chord progressions immediately and by ear. There are no shortcuts, and doing your homework for you or pointing you to the answer won't help you in the long run.

Just stick at it. You'll get there in the end.

ImNotDedYet · Post by **ImNotDedYet** » Tue Sep 08, 2015 12:49 am

sjm wrote:
AB69 wrote:I know it is in E flat minor scale but I can't pinpoint the exact notes. I think it is something like F#, D#, A#, but can't really get anything else.
You might be surprised to hear that there's no D# in Eb minor. Eb minor contains an Eb (the name kinda gives it away). It also contains Bb an Gb. /smartalecmode

If you want to figure out chords, you need to just sit down and keep at it until you get there. Grab a guitar or keyboard and play along until it sounds right.

Actually Eb Minor has Gb Major as its relative major, so the notes included in the Eb Minor scale are Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb and Db. (if it is indeed in the key of Eb Minor) So, take those notes from the scales and try to play the chords where there are chord changes in the song. Obviously, Eb Minor will be a chord heard often as it's the i chord. I'm guessing there are a number of Ab Minor (iv chords) and Bb Minor chords (v) in there as well.

zethus909 · Post by **zethus909** » Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:49 am

The progression is
D#m<C#<B
B>C#>D#m

the song is in D#m

D#m If we C# just cant B get it right --then--
B maybe weIl C# try in a-D#m-nother life
D#m If i C# die in your B arms tonite, --Then--
B maybe i'll C# see you on the D#m other side

in the minor key context, it descends from the i to the VII to VI..then VI VII i

or thinking in the relative major mindset
it's going vi V IV .. IV V vi

so thinking of it easier

if this song was in the key of Aminor (Cmajor)

it would go
Am G F
F G Am

i would just call it a 654 456 (in a relative major context)....boom nice and simple

AB69 · Post by **AB69** » Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:48 am

Mine doesn't sound like it at all.

I used the D# to C# to B.

Can you help me out? My music theory is next to non existant.

Even when I stack the D# and C# and B for a chord it doesn't sound right.

I think it's suppose to start on E...

zethus909 · Post by **zethus909** » Sun Sep 27, 2015 2:07 am

D#m<C#<B
B>C#>D#m

these are chords not notes......look up how to play each chord on the piano google it then play it

styxxs2004 · Post by **styxxs2004** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:28 pm

D# = Eb (same note) but since it is in a key of Ebm let's keep it that way, no sharps!

Ebm = (these notes) Eb-G-Bb
Db(C#) = Db-F-Ab
Bb(A#) = Bb-D-F

I haven't listened yet but B doesn't belong very well in an Ebm key so I assumed Bb since it's the 5 chord. If it is minor then make it Bb-Db-F as minor chords have a b3rd note when compared to major chords. Sorry, I'm at work and don't have a keyboard or I'd transcribe this for you. I'm going off the last post by zethus909.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Mon Sep 28, 2015 7:11 pm

styxxs2004 wrote: B doesn't belong very well in an Ebm key

Key of E flat minor contains Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db. Cb major is the naturally occurring VI chord in E flat minor. Chords given above are i, VII, VI, VII, fairly common.

zethus909 · Post by **zethus909** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 4:55 am

styxxs2004 wrote:D# = Eb (same note) but since it is in a key of Ebm let's keep it that way, no sharps!

Ebm = (these notes) Eb-G-Bb
Db(C#) = Db-F-Ab
Bb(A#) = Bb-D-F

I haven't listened yet but B doesn't belong very well in an Ebm key so I assumed Bb since it's the 5 chord. If it is minor then make it Bb-Db-F as minor chords have a b3rd note when compared to major chords. Sorry, I'm at work and don't have a keyboard or I'd transcribe this for you. I'm going off the last post by zethus909.

it's not in Ebm, its in D#m....

D#m is the relative minor of F#.....B is the IV of F#.....thats why there is a B in it.......there is no Bb......lets not start confusing this situation...

the song is in the key of D#m not Ebm........right? jancivil ?

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:37 am

Why would it matter? The OP states "in E flat minor", then the three items mentioned are given as sharps and apparently would belong to D sharp minor. If it's on a keyboard or otherwise 12 tones equal to an octave, there is no difference in sound.* Of course I would insist on keeping them separate in order to work with a basic clarity. But both Cb major chord in E flat minor, or B major chord in D sharp minor are a natural product of their respective keys, the triad on VI.

Clearly, people that state everything as sharps no matter what indicate their whole experience has pretty much been the sequencer's piano roll, which displays only sharps.
As a key signature, 6 sharps vs 6 flats, take yer pick.

*: Before teh equal temperament, either of these could (depending on the actual temperament) be pretty gnarly keys for harmony as they are far from C major which was the most placid & 'in tune', as it was the basis for tuning (ratio-based 'just intonations', with more and more subsequent mathematical correction or temperament). IE: 1:1 is only true at C. The need for consistency with interest in working in more and more keys brought about more and more temperament and ultimately 12th root of 2 came into it for true equality. (Making ratios to achieve that end gets kind of over-complicated.)

If one is writing for Bb and Eb instruments (eg., saxophones, trumpet, trombone), one would probably be better off to choose the flats-having key, because six sharps is very distant to the disposition of the horn. But all things being equal, they're equivalent.

AB69 · Post by **AB69** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:36 pm

Guy's i'm not messing you I really have no idea how to get the chord down. I've read some theory books and I know the notes of the scales, basic things, I can tell if a note doesn't belong, but in terms of written theory I have no idea.

Can you please ELI5?

I have taken a screen shot, here is what I have...

http://i.imgur.com/YPafnWX.png?1

I put the D# C# B together. It doesn't sound like it at all.

What I am trying to do is literally get the exact same melody/pads/riff as midi form as it is from the original.

I tried the Ableton melody to midi but it's not even close at all.

AB69 · Post by **AB69** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:42 pm

I honestly don't understand at all

What does "Chords given above are i, VII, VI, VII," even mean?

Lets say my I is D#... am I going up 7 notes or down 7 notes for the next VII? then am I going up or down 6? Then am I going up or down 7?

So if my I is D# and I go up 7 notes it's a A#, but if I go down 7 notes it's a G#? Is that right? So which way am I suppose to go?

But... you say there's no A# in the chords?

Just please teach me so I know enough where I can get the midi of this track.

EDIT: There is also no Eb minor on my piano roll in Logic and i've always wondered this... Why?

AB69 · Post by **AB69** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 6:51 pm

When I go from D# to C# it sounds wrong

Please forgive my lack of knowledge

But when you say I, you mean I meaning the first note (tonic) of the chord right?

So since this starts in E or D#, then E/D# is my I right? So from my I, do I go up VII notes up or down?

Is this the way I am suppose to interpret the I, VII, VI, VII ???

The thing is, when I use the 2nd note (the VII), along with the E/D#, it doesn't sound right...

Need Direction With Scales/Chords