Composing melodies... | xltronic messageboard
 
You are not logged in!

F.A.Q
Log in

Register
  
 
  
 
Now online (1)
big
...and 343 guests

Last 5 registered
Oplandisks
nothingstar
N_loop
yipe
foxtrotromeo

Browse members...
  
 
Members 8025
Messages 2615809
Today 13
Topics 127665
  
 
Messageboard index
Composing melodies...
 

offline Wolfslice from Bay Area, CA (United States) on 2004-01-22 04:52 [#01043817]
Points: 5007 Status: Regular



Would you consider knowing basic piano/ note structure a
prerequisite to composing a melody?

I ask because I'm able to write a nice melody every now and
then, but i mostly create them from culmination of mostly
improvised keys that I tweak for the right note... I want to
get out of his habit, and I'm thinking learning piano would
really be the first step.... any ideas?


 

offline teapot from Paddington (Australia) on 2004-01-22 04:55 [#01043821]
Points: 5739 Status: Regular



yes... some basic knowledge would do a lot of help... you
dont need to know everything, but some basic theory under
your belt is worth having...

chord guide



 

offline Refund from Melbourne (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:00 [#01043825]
Points: 7824 Status: Lurker



I just had a melody session with a friend of mine,... just
hitting random notes on the organ until I come up with an
alright sounding melody,


 

offline Wolfslice from Bay Area, CA (United States) on 2004-01-22 05:03 [#01043828]
Points: 5007 Status: Regular



Thanks for the link, though I think I would still need to
learn all the basics before I could make sense of it. I'm
not yet fimilar with usage of "half steps" and "intervals".


 

offline teapot from Paddington (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:05 [#01043831]
Points: 5739 Status: Regular



if you have any questions id be happy to answer them,
simgishel@hotmail


 

offline Refund from Melbourne (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:08 [#01043833]
Points: 7824 Status: Lurker



yeah the chords thing made me freak out too

I need an idiots guide to what each chord is good for,....


 

offline Wolfslice from Bay Area, CA (United States) on 2004-01-22 05:10 [#01043835]
Points: 5007 Status: Regular



Much appreciated. I received Cubase SX as a birthday present
(just turned 20 ;p) a few days ago, after having only used
fruity loops for the past year and half... coupled with
feeling the need to learn basic piano, learning this program
is going to be pretty daunting and I think I'll probably
need some real tutoring or classes to learn how to make real
use of it.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 05:18 [#01043841]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



it isn't something you NEED. it is better to learn by
yourself, and develop into being able to improvise without
needing to understand the rules. then you can improvise
outside the rules, and create new rules, as rules have
always been renewed and created through people who think
outside of the existing rules.

make jazz (love) to your instrument!


 

offline teapot from Paddington (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:21 [#01043846]
Points: 5739 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043841



i disagree... you dont push any bounderies at all when you
dont know how to stay in key

basic theory is a must THEN go off on your own.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 05:31 [#01043861]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



no, basic theory isn't a must. at least, you don't have to
LEARN it. If you play enough, you will EXPERIENCE it.
Playing in key will come naturally if you play the piano for
a while.

My cousin has never had any musical education, but he makes
lots of cool music, and he plays the piano, bass, sax,
violin, guitar, drums, harmonica, accordion, organ.. and
some more instruments which i can't remember plus he sings.

i've never had any musical education neither, but I've had a
synth for a while now, and I've pretty much figured out how
the scales work from listening to music and playing along
and improvising on top.


 

offline teapot from Paddington (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:39 [#01043868]
Points: 5739 Status: Regular



yeah, basic theory can be taught to yourself in time yes, i
wasnt saying that, its just in response to wolfslice, who
hasnt had any experience... he could learn in a month what
it takes a few years to teach yourself, with some theory


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 05:48 [#01043874]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



yeah, but then he will start to think theory. i know this
one guy who has been around theory all his life, and now
he's useless for making melodies and improvising. if we tell
him to improvise, he will play, for instance, a mixolydian
scale, and that will be it.


 

offline teapot from Paddington (Australia) on 2004-01-22 05:53 [#01043880]
Points: 5739 Status: Regular



i know what you mean, and being schooled does promote
following rules and never disobeying them, i know... most of
the guys i went to music school are like that, you know why?
coz they arent creative, its like painting, if you get
taught to paint like monet, and your not creative, you'll
always paint like monet... but someone with a bit of flair
will change his shit up...

i dont think that music theory should be looked upon so
badly, if you have an ounce of flair you'll be somewhat
unique, and that theory that you do have will only
help you break the rules


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 05:59 [#01043889]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



yeah, in some cases. but if you look at some of the most
famous musicians (both today and in the past), most of them
NEVER had any musical training. so there seems to be more
reasons to avoid learning musical theory than there are
reasons to learn it. But true: if you ARE talented, it
shouldn't matter either way.. learning musical theory should
just speed up the process.

the things I would like to learn how to do, is EQ, proper
Compression, mixing and mastering in general. I've tried
MANY times, but I NEVER understand what i'm supposed to do!
Sure enough, I often end up with interesting sounds when
playing around with distortion and reverb and compression,
but I want to know how a professional masterer would use
them!


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 06:21 [#01043917]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



people who are against theory, are just as closed minded as
trained musicians, who think that you're only good if you
went to school.

its an argument that just drives me nuts.

so, I have boiled it down to this:

music is music. make it however feels like the right way for
you. fuck everyone else. as long as your happy with where
you are going with your music, thats all that matters.

and yes, if you are a creative person, it wont take half a
brain to say to yourself "oh wait, these rules are
arbitrary... I will take what I want, and ignore what I
dont"

ive taken all the main jazz theory classes here at berklee
(required). does my music sound jazzy? no. Because when I
finished, I said, you know what, I dont like this. I wont
use it.

But sometimes, I do find interesting ways to use it, in my
own way. just not a conventional way.

and you also seem to be ignoring all of the classical, and
contemporary classical composers. All of them have trainin
(a FUCKload). Do you discredit these peoples works? There is
some amazing things of beauty that have been composed... but
it wasnt the theory, that was only a means to an end.

and sure, theres alot of wank that comes from the
academics... but probably in pretty equal proportion to
people who have no idea what they are doing... and making
the most simple, bland, uninspired music, because they dont
the first thing about music, except randomly pushing
buttons.

But my biggest grivence... is how can you make such absolute
and "objective" statements? Have you ever studied music
seriously? and saying you did for a year or so, or took
piano as a kid... thats not an objective viewing of
theory... music theory is very very deep, and complex...
theres so much to learn. I just dont think you can comment
on what studying music does to you, if you dont know first
hand.

ive probably pissed alot of people off...

anyways

make music. music is good. listen to your heart, its all
that matters. If you think learning theory will help you,
fuck everyone who


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 06:21 [#01043918]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



make music. music is good. listen to your heart, its all
that matters. If you think learning theory will help you,
fuck everyone who tells you differently. If you think
twiddling on your own is the best way, fuck everyone who
tells you differently.

just for gods sake, have an open mind.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 06:49 [#01043937]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



well. the classical composers had NO musical training at
all. they were in fact the ones who invented most of the
systems, so they didn't get much education (how teach what
hasn't been discovered?)

i HAVE an open mind, it's just that when I make music, and
use some cool-sounding chords and stuff, and the guy i was
talking about before comes and says "ah, you've used the
chromatic scale(actually.. i've never used a chromatic
scale.. they sound strange)," that pisses me off. it's
fucking music! as you say: from the heart.


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 06:59 [#01043942]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular



When you say 'Basic Music Theory' Do you mean Western music
theory or Eastern music Theory or Jamaican bongo theory or
Packistani nose flute theory? Which one do you need to know
the basics in to be allowed to make music?


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 06:59 [#01043943]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



no, people where taking lessons since before the baroque
period (which comes before "classical")


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:01 [#01043946]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



in the days of one-tone-music... it isn't much compared to
what music theory is today. i believe it was Bach 'n his
crew who first started experimenting with major and minor
scales?


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:06 [#01043950]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



Bach definately took lessons. And he definately taught
lessons. Regardless of the state of music theory at the
time... there was still a system of composing, and it was
taught. then, those people taught, etc, and along the lines,
new ideas came... continuing up until present day.

giving us our current state of music.

none of which would be here, if it wasnt for people learning
an old system, and rebeling, creating new systems. The
imporant part, is that progress was made, through an
understanding of the old, to move on to the new. once the
new became old, even newer things could develop.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:10 [#01043951]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



what basis do you have for saying bach took lessons?

and most contemporary "musical geniouses" have NEVER had any
musical training. least of all the guitar-players who
everyone are hailing! "give a guitarplayer sheetmusic, and
he will not know what to do with it."


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:10 [#01043952]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Zeus: #01043950



Do you need to learn percussion basics to make a rhythm
pattern in Reason or a drum machine?


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:16 [#01043956]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



um, music history lessons? letters, documents, and books?

please list some of these guitar players, out of
curiousity.

jivver: you dont. and I never said you did. Im just saying,
you shouldnt discredit people, who DID take percussion
lessons.


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:17 [#01043958]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



*and if they are musical geniuses... then they are an
exception arnt they? the average person who makes music
(even the high skilled ones) are not geniuses.


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:22 [#01043961]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Zeus: #01043956



I'm sorry, I'm just messing around.. I'd never discredit
someone for learning a craft, the snobishness on both sides
is ridiculous, if you really want to educate drunken mastah
and talk him around to your way of thinking, 1, it'll take
weeks 2,The chances of him saying 'Actually, you're right
Zeus, thanks for that'

If I were you I'd get on with your film fun and enjoy
yourself.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:24 [#01043963]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



you don't really have to be a genious, but odds are: you are
more likely to become a genious if you are self-taught.


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:24 [#01043964]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



fair enough :-P



 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:25 [#01043965]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043963



what a load of twaddle


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:25 [#01043966]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



based on what?

where are you getting these "facts"?


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:26 [#01043967]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular



however... I'll argue this to the death 'cos I'm a silly
like that.


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:28 [#01043969]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



hehe, well, there ya go :D


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:29 [#01043970]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



most musical geniouses are untrained.


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:32 [#01043973]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043970



the term 'genius' is banded about everywhere willy nilly,
Name 10 of these geniuses that are untrained, shouldn't be
too hard.


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:35 [#01043975]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



please refer to post #01043966


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:41 [#01043981]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



Aphex Twin
Rza
My cousin
The Beatles (that's four-in-one, actually)
Bjørk (except for 3rd-grade piano lessons)
El-P
Dj Shadow
André 3000
?uestlove


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:43 [#01043984]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043981



What a silly list of poo.



 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:46 [#01043985]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043981



None of them are 'Genius' actually most of them use other
people to play the basic theory for them as in massive
samples and session musicians.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:48 [#01043988]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



well, you would know poo when you see it, wouldn't you. they
ARE geniouses, and there's nothing you can do about it!


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:51 [#01043989]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



yeah... I mean, if any on that list... the beatles... they
had alot of creativity and great ears... but the beatles had
alot of help from George Martin as well.

Aphex... yeah he is another creative guy with great ears...
but I wouldnt call him a genius. He has some tracks that are
just far below par of a "geniuses" output.

and he took piano lessons did he not? of course, who knows
if he did... that guy just likes talking crap, so who knows
for sure.



 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:52 [#01043990]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



actually, he LOVES talking crap!


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:52 [#01043991]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #01043988



none of them are geniuses. They might seem like geniuses to
you but you're as thick as two short planks.


 

offline JivverDicker from my house on 2004-01-22 07:53 [#01043992]
Points: 12102 Status: Regular



AAAaaa ha ha ha!


 

offline aphextriplet from your mothers bedroom (United Kingdom) on 2004-01-22 07:54 [#01043993]
Points: 4731 Status: Lurker



im just a naturally gifted motherfucker.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 07:55 [#01043995]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



"i'm a genious in a bottle baby"

.sknalp trohs owt sa kciht sa re'uoy tub uoy ot sesuineg
ekil mees thgim yehT .sesuineg era meht fo enon

!ah ah ah aaaAAA


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 07:57 [#01043996]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



ohhh look, retrograde.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2004-01-22 08:01 [#01043999]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



que?


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-01-22 08:05 [#01044003]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



never mind


 

offline CS2x from London (United Kingdom) on 2004-01-22 09:21 [#01044048]
Points: 5079 Status: Lurker



I completely agree with Zeus. Learning the old, is a way to
embark on new terrain in a great way imo.

Also-learning real percussion CAN help! Listen to
Squarepusher's stuff!


 

offline plaidzebra from so long, xlt on 2004-01-22 10:09 [#01044081]
Points: 5678 Status: Lurker



jivverdicker is xltronic's resident genius. of course he's
also the court jester, but it's important to diversify.


 


Messageboard index