What Chords used in this track?

[aquatrance]

I've been creating music for a year now and the best I can come up with is just throwing synths together, add a beat and see what comes out. Now I wanna be able recreate/remix some EDM tracks, but I am having real trouble figuring out chords. I was hoping someone would be kind enough to help me figure out what instruments are used and what chords are used, for example in this track:

[Hooj]

Dude, c'mon... You can't be serious?

[Paul8447]

If this is what people are writing or striving write songs like this using their daws
I give up.
By yourself a guitar or something an write some proper melodies.

[jancivil]

refreshing to see normal reactions to this. A year is a long time to not have more to say for yourself IME.

[deastman]

Do you own a MIDI keyboard? Even if you don’t know the first thing about music theory, you should be able to come up with something at least that basic through sheer trial and error in the space of a few minutes.

[BertKoor]

The chords are | Em Am | Em Em |
You should be able to figure out the rest yourself.

[perpetual3]

Okay - so you’re question is a bit simple because the chord progression is, as previously described, a bit simple, and the chord sound could also be described as simple.

But, we’ve (nearly) all been there, so here is what I suggest:

1. Get some books on song writing. Ableton makes a good one for electronic music. Or watch some youtube videos. You’ll want something which can explain music theory, especially chord theory with the circle of fifths. Stay diatonic for now. You won’t need much theory to reproduce this track; that’s how simple it is.

2. I don’t know what kind of software you have, but many synths and nearly all samplers can produce the sounds in that track. Stick with your built in synths, and “master” them before purchasing others. That way, you’ll better know how to design the sound you want.

3. For effects use only delay, eq, reverb and compression.

If you learn some theory, and stick to mastering a few essential tools, you should be able to reproduce that track. I bet that in just one weekend, you could get far just by finding some YouTube videos on chords and programming synths.

Good luck.

[jancivil]

The actual question was "What Chords used in this track?" and 'will somebody do my work for me, I'm helpless'.

What has to happen doesn't, because here is another case of one w. no musical background buying a computer and music-creation software and it's time to start 'creating music' (of course this is conflated with 'production'). It isn't, it's time to get something under your belt in terms of chops. Through playing music.

I have not been here. My first real year with a melody instrument (I had 3 yrs on drums before this) was spent woodshedding on the instrument, and along with that and before developing any real facility I transcribed whole songs off of records. I remember my first 'Eureka' moment with my ear. I had no ear. I'm not super-talented. I developed it because of the hot desire to. There was no crutch like a computer which would allow me to develop a false sense of where I was in the world, I did it, we all did it for ourselves.

Again, a year and you cannot discern Em to Am. Far be it from me to actually discourage a person but I have to say this, not everybody is built for creating music. And while this board will show a lot of people enabling the OP and actually providing the chords, I will be doing the person no kindness by that. "You should be able to figure out the rest yourself." Or not.

[perpetual3]

The actual question was "What Chords used in this track?" and 'will somebody do my work for me, I'm helpless'.

What has to happen doesn't, because here is another case of one w. no musical background buying a computer and music-creation software and it's time to start 'creating music' (of course this is conflated with 'production'). It isn't, it's time to get something under your belt in terms of chops. Through playing music.

I have not been here. My first real year with a melody instrument (I had 3 yrs on drums before this) was spent woodshedding on the instrument, and along with that and before developing any real facility I transcribed whole songs off of records. I remember my first 'Eureka' moment with my ear. I had no ear. I'm not super-talented. I developed it because of the hot desire to. There was no crutch like a computer which would allow me to develop a false sense of where I was in the world, I did it, we all did it for ourselves.

Again, a year and you cannot discern Em to Am. Far be it from me to actually discourage a person but I have to say this, not everybody is built for creating music. And while this board will show a lot of people enabling the OP and actually providing the chords, I will be doing the person no kindness by that. "You should be able to figure out the rest yourself." Or not.

I said “nearly.” I come from a classical piano background myself. Your story is indeed inspiring and thanks for sharing that. Also, what you say, that not everyone is built for creating music is true (like with everything else too; not everyone is built to be a gymnast, not everyone is built to be a mathematician).

And I respect your strongly held belief that giving the answer doesn’t do the OP any favors - except that it just might. The OP might be busy, slowly approaching music, so in one year he or she didn’t have the time to practice day-in-day-out. And that’s ok. Maybe someone giving them a nudge is enough to spark the light of self-learning that they need. Or, instead of criticizing the person or giving the answer, offer a procedure that can help them learn on their own. Tell them what to focus on. Tell them what you did to get where you are today, not as a dis, but as a model, a template.

I’ll go back to gymnastics. I spent a long time, with no guidance, Learning to do a handstand. After many years of self-learning, before the critical mass of YouTube, I eventually figured out a progression to get an absolutely beginner to a handstand in one year or even less, I started teaching handstands from the perspective of someone who started (not quite but almost) from the couch. Lots of people asked me to teach handstands, and wanted to start out right away. I lost many when I explained the process, that included lots of daily, perhaps boring, progressive work. But those that kept at, certainly improved and achieved there goals.

So, my message to the OP is to start with the basics, build up from there, set a goal, and you will be bound to succeed if creating music like the video is indeed what you want to achieve. But it’s going to take work and time to transform yourself, so if that isn’t something you had in mind, then perhaps indeed you may want to direct your energy elsewhere.

[jancivil]

I'm not disrespecting the person. I do talk as though we're adults here.
It's a thing, getting a computer and a 'DAW' and it's time to start 'creating'; this is not breaking news or a single individual with the issue.
It's bizarre to see 'I've been creating music for one year' but they're stumped by Em to Am.

I do not know how to instruct someone that is stumped by i to iv in a comment box on the internet. One-on-one it may be possible.

This technology works as a crutch at this beginning stage and one who always has that crutch doesn't have to ever get up on their own legs. There once was a time where if you wanted to present 'music' you had to do it yourself.
There was no loops CD in a magazine, there were no 'construction kits'.

There's absolutely nothing special about my anecdote. "I, we all did it for ourselves" bespeaks a normative which apparently is absent for many now.

I don't have a lot more to say. I will say this, you didn't learn handstands from a book or a youtube video I don't think and you knew <a handstand> eventually meant you got away from the couch. I don't know this aquatrance at all, but the choice of what to emulate and the question (and "I've been creating music...") tell me something about their approach. The existence of just barely even rudimental music under the heading 'EDM' comports exactly with that. If that's what a person wants to do, great, enjoy it, cherish it. I don't have a procedure to take someone from that to musicianship, however.

"Tell them what to focus on" - get away from the computer and do music by your hands. And they may resist that like it's the plague because where they're coming from is that far from my world. I've had people from that world go ballistic to hear that here. Somewhat understandable as the computer is all they have, all they know to do.

[ChamMusic]

I'm not disrespecting the person. I do talk as though we're adults here.
It's a thing, getting a computer and a 'DAW' and it's time to start 'creating'; this is not breaking news or a single individual with the issue.
It's bizarre to see 'I've been creating music for one year' but they're stumped by Em to Am.

I do not know how to instruct someone that is stumped by i to iv in a comment box on the internet. One-on-one it may be possible.

This technology works as a crutch at this beginning stage and one who always has that crutch doesn't have to ever get up on their own legs. There once was a time where if you wanted to present 'music' you had to do it yourself.
There was no loops CD in a magazine, there were no 'construction kits'.

There's absolutely nothing special about my anecdote. "I, we all did it for ourselves" bespeaks a normative which apparently is absent for many now.

I don't have a lot more to say. I will say this, you didn't learn handstands from a book or a youtube video I don't think and you knew <a handstand> eventually meant you got away from the couch. I don't know this aquatrance at all, but the choice of what to emulate and the question (and "I've been creating music...") tell me something about their approach. The existence of just barely even rudimental music under the heading 'EDM' comports exactly with that. If that's what a person wants to do, great, enjoy it, cherish it. I don't have a procedure to take someone from that to musicianship, however.

"Tell them what to focus on" - get away from the computer and do music by your hands. And they may resist that like it's the plague because where they're coming from is that far from my world. I've had people from that world go ballistic to hear that here. Somewhat understandable as the computer is all they have, all they know to do.

Totally agree...

I've been teaching / tutoring in composition for 30 years and although I readily admit that computers now play an important part in the process, they play absolutely no role whatsoever in the first few weeks of each and every module that I teach...the crutch analogy is a very strong one indeed.

Just started with some new students and they were utterly gobsmacked to find a room containing just xylophones, glockenspiels and marimbas...they learnt a shit load about contrapuntal textures though, as they were doing it all for themselves 'live' in real time!

The one big issue with these forums is the very fact that you can ask for help very quickly and easily from a very large pool of musicians...it's very, very tempting! Consequently some of the requests, (not necessarily this one), are matters that should simply be worked out for yourself / researched for yourself...they don't need external support.

[kamalmanzukie]

I'm not disrespecting the person. I do talk as though we're adults here.
It's a thing, getting a computer and a 'DAW' and it's time to start 'creating'; this is not breaking news or a single individual with the issue.
It's bizarre to see 'I've been creating music for one year' but they're stumped by Em to Am.

I do not know how to instruct someone that is stumped by i to iv in a comment box on the internet. One-on-one it may be possible.

This technology works as a crutch at this beginning stage and one who always has that crutch doesn't have to ever get up on their own legs. There once was a time where if you wanted to present 'music' you had to do it yourself.
There was no loops CD in a magazine, there were no 'construction kits'.

There's absolutely nothing special about my anecdote. "I, we all did it for ourselves" bespeaks a normative which apparently is absent for many now.

I don't have a lot more to say. I will say this, you didn't learn handstands from a book or a youtube video I don't think and you knew <a handstand> eventually meant you got away from the couch. I don't know this aquatrance at all, but the choice of what to emulate and the question (and "I've been creating music...") tell me something about their approach. The existence of just barely even rudimental music under the heading 'EDM' comports exactly with that. If that's what a person wants to do, great, enjoy it, cherish it. I don't have a procedure to take someone from that to musicianship, however.

"Tell them what to focus on" - get away from the computer and do music by your hands. And they may resist that like it's the plague because where they're coming from is that far from my world. I've had people from that world go ballistic to hear that here. Somewhat understandable as the computer is all they have, all they know to do.

jan civil, you are not wrong, but every time i see you around it always seems you are saying something mean

[deastman]

jan civil, you are not wrong, but every time i see you around it always seems you are saying something mean

I can see why you would say that. However, consider that Jan is one of the most knowledgeable people on KVR when it comes to music theory. When confronted with posts by people who claim to have been making music for over a year but who need help to distinguish between Am and Em, how would you expect her to respond? I mean, really, it is possible to “produce” by drawing random notes on a piano roll until it sounds good, but if one isn’t going to put in the effort to develop their own skills, they shouldn’t feel entitled to the respect of those who have spent decades honing their musical proficiency and knowledge of composition.

[ghettosynth]

jan civil, you are not wrong, but every time i see you around it always seems you are saying something mean

I can see why you would say that. However, consider that Jan is one of the most knowledgeable people on KVR when it comes to music theory.

Who cares, it's a few simple chords, her skill isn't needed, and neither is her vitriol.

When confronted with posts by people who claim to have been making music for over a year but who need help to distinguish between Am and Em, how would you expect her to respond?

I would expect her to not respond if she doesn't have anything helpful to offer.

I mean, really, it is possible to “produce” by drawing random notes on a piano roll until it sounds good, but if one isn’t going to put in the effort to develop their own skills, they shouldn’t feel entitled to the respect of those who have spent decades honing their musical proficiency and knowledge of composition.

Nobody asked for respect, OP asked for help understanding a simple dance track. What's wrong with someone who can't let other people enjoy their pastime the way that they choose? You really have no idea what OP means by "spent a year", nor do you have any idea what his or her background is or how they arrived at where they are. How about if you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all?

kamalmanzukie is right, jancivil can't resist saying something mean but she is the first to play the victim when the shoe's on the other foot.

[kamalmanzukie]

jan civil, you are not wrong, but every time i see you around it always seems you are saying something mean

I can see why you would say that. However, consider that Jan is one of the most knowledgeable people on KVR when it comes to music theory. When confronted with posts by people who claim to have been making music for over a year but who need help to distinguish between Am and Em, how would you expect her to respond? I mean, really, it is possible to “produce” by drawing random notes on a piano roll until it sounds good, but if one isn’t going to put in the effort to develop their own skills, they shouldn’t feel entitled to the respect of those who have spent decades honing their musical proficiency and knowledge of composition.

yeah, i scouted out her bandcamp and she is definitely prolific. its just doling out enthusiasm adjustments seems to be a KVR bloodsport of sorts. (not that i havent been guilty of this myself)

every time i do piano roll composition something like this comes out usually turns into a 12 tone row but i can say it its pretty much exactly what was in my head was https://soundcloud.com/an-colonel-aronson/in-spidit