The Musician's Gig Room Chat V1 - Songwriting and Sound Design for all! - Creationism Corner

[QUOTE=Adius Shadow;47072535]I really like the second "drop" (whatever it's called) i fancy the flow. Also likin that super mellow synth that's just chillin in all that. Here's something I kind of just tossed in the crockpot. [media]http://soundcloud.com/jaredrobertson/alakazam[/media][/QUOTE] I think the drums are boring as they are now. Aside from the fact that I dislike 808-ish drums in general, I think they just lack something (such as hihats) to bring the rhythm together more. There's also some dissonance whenever the bass switches notes. Unless you meant for it to be that way, I'm sure it would clean that up if you cut out the lower frequencies of the reverb coming from it. On the bright side, I think the melodies are nice, and I like what you did with the filter on that higher, echo-y synth. [QUOTE=Adeptus;47077434]That beginning, my god, beautiful tunes there. I actually expected a non inspired, regular dark metal or something like that. You surprised me a lot, and in the good way (Sometimes I can be a really douchebag before even hearing someone's work, gotta work on that). I feel like the ride should be a little lower on volume specially on the begininng. That or maybe a more darkened EQ could work. I love the vocals, the phantom notes on the snare drum, very atmospheric. Bravo! A wip trancey stuff I'm making. Let me know if you like it, it's the only buildup and chord progression in 2 years that kept myself satisfied. [media]http://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/001bit[/media] Any criticism is welcome.[/QUOTE] I think it would be better if you made the pluck-y synth stand out a little more. It adds some more texture during the first 30 seconds or so, but then it gets buried by the other sounds after that. The only other thing I don't like is the delay on the higher synth that comes in around 0:30 - there's nothing technically wrong with it, but it kind of bothers me how it's panned to the left without anything to even it out on the right. Other than that, I think it's good (although I don't listen to trance), and the whole thing sounds really clean & wide. - Alright, it's been a while. You'll have to excuse the shitty transitions on this one, they're mostly just quick outlines for now. [media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/introvert-wip[/media] And a short clip of something I started yesterday. [media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/hppnagn[/media]

[QUOTE=MilkBagz;47079375] And a short clip of something I started yesterday. [media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/hppnagn[/media][/QUOTE] I really like the chord progression. The drums are nice, the clicky kick is good and I love the direction of the drums but I think even more wet reverb would sound great. I got some new drum samples and holy fuck have they made a difference. Threw this together in like half an hour so the composition kinda sucks (also about half the synths are samples too, can't take credit for a couple because they're amazing. Definitely going to try and emulate them myself soon!) [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/so-i-got-new-drum-samples[/media]

[QUOTE=Adeptus;47077434]That beginning, my god, beautiful tunes there. I actually expected a non inspired, regular dark metal or something like that. You surprised me a lot, and in the good way (Sometimes I can be a really douchebag before even hearing someone's work, gotta work on that). I feel like the ride should be a little lower on volume specially on the begininng. That or maybe a more darkened EQ could work. I love the vocals, the phantom notes on the snare drum, very atmospheric. Bravo! A wip trancey stuff I'm making. Let me know if you like it, it's the only buildup and chord progression in 2 years that kept myself satisfied. [media]http://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/001bit[/media] Any criticism is welcome.[/QUOTE] B Minor, D major 7, E Major suspended 4th resolving to E major. imo you've got to lower your standards. Experiment with changing to other chords, chords of the sixths and six-four chords (1st and second inversion), and adding other harmonies. Only after you have experimented a lot should you really hold yourself up to a standard where you reject a bunch of chords because without this first exploration, how're you going to find out bizarre chords that you find amazing? I'm not going to post my previous post again because you can scroll back to look at it, and i can summarize it as: Go and compose outside of your comfort zone in terms of harmonies, perhaps even rhythms and melodies. That said, there's not really a melody? The pizzicato-esque synth is a bit too soft for melody (should be louder), and the synth providing the off-beat things are definitely accompaniment. If you want to layer it up then you can add a soaring synth to that, and extend it out. Again, you're going to want to add chord progressions and either mold your melody around that OR you can let your melody wander and let your chord progressions follow. I'm not going to go on too much about expanding to the other chords, but that's where you have to go. One thing I'd suggest is not to be as picky and don't be so OCD about getting everything perfect the first time especially if it means you won't get any work done on your piece because you're afraid of ruining it, or not getting up to your expectations. You can rework it or improve it later.

[QUOTE=brooklynlord;47084864]One thing I'd suggest is not to be as picky and don't be so OCD about getting everything perfect the first time especially if it means you won't get any work done on your piece because you're afraid of ruining it, or not getting up to your expectations. You can rework it or improve it later.[/QUOTE] Man, words of wisdom right there. This is something I actively have to tell myself whenever I work on my music. I'm so afraid of 'ruining' a track, that there have been days where production just completely stopped because of it.

[QUOTE=brooklynlord;47084864]B Minor, D major 7, E Major suspended 4th resolving to E major. imo you've got to lower your standards. Experiment with changing to other chords, chords of the sixths and six-four chords (1st and second inversion), and adding other harmonies. Only after you have experimented a lot should you really hold yourself up to a standard where you reject a bunch of chords because without this first exploration, how're you going to find out bizarre chords that you find amazing? I'm not going to post my previous post again because you can scroll back to look at it, and i can summarize it as: Go and compose outside of your comfort zone in terms of harmonies, perhaps even rhythms and melodies. That said, there's not really a melody? The pizzicato-esque synth is a bit too soft for melody (should be louder), and the synth providing the off-beat things are definitely accompaniment. If you want to layer it up then you can add a soaring synth to that, and extend it out. Again, you're going to want to add chord progressions and either mold your melody around that OR you can let your melody wander and let your chord progressions follow. I'm not going to go on too much about expanding to the other chords, but that's where you have to go. One thing I'd suggest is not to be as picky and don't be so OCD about getting everything perfect the first time especially if it means you won't get any work done on your piece because you're afraid of ruining it, or not getting up to your expectations. You can rework it or improve it later.[/QUOTE] Well, I don't understand shit about melodies and harmonies. This chord progression is me doing what, for my ears, sounds nice enough. That being said, everything you said is completeley and absolutely right. I struggle to get out of my confort zone because this is the kind of music I like to make. This wasn't a first time edit though, I've been working on it for at least two weeks now. I really, really thank you for your opinion. This kind of C&C isn't that common in here (and that's kind of shitty).

Anyone here have an Akai s1000? I wasted an entire day yesterday trying to put some samples I recorded into a Program, but I can't for the life of me figure out how. I've read pretty much the entire manual online, and tried googling for an answer, but so far no luck. I need to figure out how to put already recorded samples into a program, or else I can't use any of the amp and filter envelopes, which I kinda need.

[QUOTE=chaz13;47083026] I got some new drum samples and holy fuck have they made a difference. Threw this together in like half an hour so the composition kinda sucks (also about half the synths are samples too, can't take credit for a couple because they're amazing. Definitely going to try and emulate them myself soon!) [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/so-i-got-new-drum-samples[/media][/QUOTE] oh my god that sounds amazing. that last bass sample at the very end is awesome too. even if the bass samples weren't made by you, you did a great job arranging them! there's pretty much nothing wrong with the drums, they sound really professional and work very well with the basses. nice work! here's a little thing i did for this week's track, i've been listening to a lot of oscar peterson and stuff like that and got inspired to throw a beat over one of the tracks that was stuck in my head [media]http://soundcloud.com/monsieurangry/plays-pretty-owot-5[/media]

[QUOTE=lawlavex;47094152]oh my god that sounds amazing. that last bass sample at the very end is awesome too. even if the bass samples weren't made by you, you did a great job arranging them! there's pretty much nothing wrong with the drums, they sound really professional and work very well with the basses. nice work! here's a little thing i did for this week's track, i've been listening to a lot of oscar peterson and stuff like that and got inspired to throw a beat over one of the tracks that was stuck in my head [media]http://soundcloud.com/monsieurangry/plays-pretty-owot-5[/media][/QUOTE] Thanks man! I love your tracks, so it means a lot coming from you! Really enjoying this. The drums are so simple but so damn punchy, it's nice. The bass is just awesome and the little percussion bits that pop in and out add to the atmosphere a lot. Might be cool to have some more filter automation on the bass occasionally. Put some more stuff together with my new drum samples: [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/neurostep-shizzle[/media]

This looks way too sick: [url]http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/collections/colour[/url] I want them all!

[QUOTE=Pat.Lithium;47065241]hey guys I play guitar, I'd also like to play synth/keys, what would be a good synth for maybe like $1000?[/QUOTE] You can get good quality for under $1k. It would be helpful to get some more info from you though. Mono or Poly synth? Do you need a keyboard attached, or do you already have a midi controller you can use? If you're a beginner to synths, and you want analog, I'd get the Arturia Microbrute. I have one of these, and I love it. It's an analog monosynth, has a simple sequencer, and is really easy to learn how to use. If you're looking for a more powerful synth, check out the Waldorf Streichfett. You'll need a controller for it, but it's a great analog poly synth. If you're looking for a more portable non-analog synth, I'd take a look at the Teenage Engineering OP-1. The synths aren't the best, but it's easy to use for samples and beats in my experience, and you can lay out an entire track directly on the device itself. Expect to take about a week or more to really learn how to use it. [QUOTE=lawlavex;47094152]oh my god that sounds amazing. that last bass sample at the very end is awesome too. even if the bass samples weren't made by you, you did a great job arranging them! there's pretty much nothing wrong with the drums, they sound really professional and work very well with the basses. nice work! here's a little thing i did for this week's track, i've been listening to a lot of oscar peterson and stuff like that and got inspired to throw a beat over one of the tracks that was stuck in my head [media]http://soundcloud.com/monsieurangry/plays-pretty-owot-5[/media][/QUOTE] I love this. In some areas, the bass seems to drown out the piano. It might be intentional, I just wish I could hear the piano a bit more later in the song. Here's something new I started on [media]http://soundcloud.com/battology/livusd[/media]

[QUOTE=MilkBagz;47079375] And a short clip of something I started yesterday. [media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/hppnagn[/media][/QUOTE] Your kick doesn't really need to come in that early, it kinda kills the build-up. Your kick also sounds a little too round, it could use more punch, your bass could too. Maybe add some distortion to the bass and make it a bit louder? The mid and high end needs a little more filling. Maybe some kind of stabby-synth (not too electro-sounding) with some delay? [QUOTE=lawlavex;47094152]here's a little thing i did for this week's track, i've been listening to a lot of oscar peterson and stuff like that and got inspired to throw a beat over one of the tracks that was stuck in my head [media]http://soundcloud.com/monsieurangry/plays-pretty-owot-5[/media][/QUOTE] Nice swing and use of samples. The bass is a little out-of-nowhere, to me, but I can dig the experimenting. --- Here's a track I made just a little bit ago. [media]http://soundcloud.com/count-latchula/the-piper[/media] I got a hold of some new sounds and vinyls today and decided to do some experimenting. Short and sweet. Here's a song you might actually like: [media]http://soundcloud.com/count-latchula/matter[/media] [QUOTE=FalseLogic;47104825] Here's something new I started on [media]http://soundcloud.com/battology/livusd[/media][/QUOTE] Your bass is a bit too loud and doesn't set very well in the mix. Other than that, good start.

I never posted here before, I've been playing around in FL for like 4 years now and haven't even shared one song I've made because, well, I never finish them. That resulted in a 4 year old folder with over 300 project files that will probably never get touched ever again. [QUOTE=chaz13;47083026]I really like the chord progression. The drums are nice, the clicky kick is good and I love the direction of the drums but I think even more wet reverb would sound great. I got some new drum samples and holy fuck have they made a difference. Threw this together in like half an hour so the composition kinda sucks (also about half the synths are samples too, can't take credit for a couple because they're amazing. Definitely going to try and emulate them myself soon!) [media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/so-i-got-new-drum-samples[/media][/QUOTE] This sound really good and well mixed, I really like it. Only thing that could get changed a little is that clicking sound that plays over the song which I feel could be turned down just a little bit, but maybe that's because my headphones makes the high frequencies a little louder. A few weeks ago I made this thing and just left it collecting dust but today I thought I'd work some more on it and suddenly it turned into this mess, not finished yet but I'll continue working on it tomorrow. Song starts at 0:25 unless you want to know how I got that sound. [video=youtube;W0n6g8R9yJg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0n6g8R9yJg[/video]

[QUOTE=FalseLogic;47104825]You can get good quality for under $1k. It would be helpful to get some more info from you though. Mono or Poly synth? Do you need a keyboard attached, or do you already have a midi controller you can use? If you're a beginner to synths, and you want analog, I'd get the Arturia Microbrute. I have one of these, and I love it. It's an analog monosynth, has a simple sequencer, and is really easy to learn how to use. If you're looking for a more powerful synth, check out the Waldorf Streichfett. You'll need a controller for it, but it's a great analog poly synth. If you're looking for a more portable non-analog synth, I'd take a look at the Teenage Engineering OP-1. The synths aren't the best, but it's easy to use for samples and beats in my experience, and you can lay out an entire track directly on the device itself. Expect to take about a week or more to really learn how to use it. I love this. In some areas, the bass seems to drown out the piano. It might be intentional, I just wish I could hear the piano a bit more later in the song. Here's something new I started on [media]http://soundcloud.com/battology/livusd[/media][/QUOTE] Nice, makes a super cool atmosphere, I wonder what it would sound like with some more ambient sections [editline]12th February 2015[/editline] [media]http://soundcloud.com/sierios/dawnelec[/media] now it's got more electronic stuff to it. Anything else I should do? thoughts? ideas???

[QUOTE=Plaster;47128080]I never posted here before, I've been playing around in FL for like 4 years now and haven't even shared one song I've made because, well, I never finish them. That resulted in a 4 year old folder with over 300 project files that will probably never get touched ever again. This sound really good and well mixed, I really like it. Only thing that could get changed a little is that clicking sound that plays over the song which I feel could be turned down just a little bit, but maybe that's because my headphones makes the high frequencies a little louder. A few weeks ago I made this thing and just left it collecting dust but today I thought I'd work some more on it and suddenly it turned into this mess, not finished yet but I'll continue working on it tomorrow. Song starts at 0:25 unless you want to know how I got that sound. [video=youtube;W0n6g8R9yJg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0n6g8R9yJg[/video][/QUOTE] The original sound that you used is only one chord (though you can transpose it around), but it's still a massive limitation to harmonic progression and everything that i've been posting in my last few posts. Lacking some bass as well since the original sample only has mid-ish piano and mid-high violin. Bass drum doesn't quite cut it imo. Oh well. You can put a lot more stuff into it. Simple things can be efficient, but not with this much repetition. Also, the slides and stuff (portamento) are a bit funky, almost like a gramophone-esque thing. I also think you need to add something a melody that isn't that synth thing you just ripped, because the thing you ripped has with it a bunch of extraneous notes that you can't use as melody (it'd also sound like parallel fifths, a big no-no in counterpoint). Well anyway, just compose/write/remix more. Lower your expectations so you don't lock yourself in by high standards. See what you end up with, and cut down from there the stuff you don't like. [editline]12th February 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=SIRIUS;47128689]Nice, makes a super cool atmosphere, I wonder what it would sound like with some more ambient sections [editline]12th February 2015[/editline] [media]http://soundcloud.com/sierios/dawnelec[/media] now it's got more electronic stuff to it. Anything else I should do? thoughts? ideas???[/QUOTE] First off: This sounds pretty pleasing to the ear. A nice and slow intro adding mellow synths into the mix by each repetition of the 4-chord progression. However, I do have to say that it does get repetitive; after those synths, the next instrument isn't added until 3min: the drums. Instantly the drums give it a driving feel which changes the pace from relaxed to more pressing. The beginning, plucky-ish synth does blend/muddle a little with the other synths. Personally I'd make it a bit more distinct but it's preference. I can't hear a recognizable melody until 4min 8s where the piano comes in. Imo this is a bit late for a melody, and it's quiet enough that it could be accompaniment too (which it is). I don't really feel like there is really a melody (but if it's supposed to be more background-ish, it doesn't necessarily need one). Adding a melody to this (if you decide to) is going to be a delicate procedure: I think you're going to need a soaring melody (Violin could be a good choice, maybe oboe but definitely not its lower range, personally i'd try experimenting with something more exotic like harp to see if it fits into it), something that can be expressive yet not so powerful to dominate everything else. The ending flare kinda ends abruptly, but that can be easily fixed. You could add different chord progressions and perhaps even key changes (something i'd advise especially if it's out of your comfort zone), though considering it's already 5mins long... Besides, if you're modelling your melody on your harmony, this opens up many more possibilities.

Probably a shot in the dark, but does anybody know what this instrument is that's playing alongside the bass and drums right after 0:11 in this song? [video=youtube;CnBvZqwGIhg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnBvZqwGIhg[/video]

My first guess would be that it's not an acoustic instrument but some sort of guitar synth. Not very helpful, I know...

time to listen to every track on the last 2 pages because i've got a new batch uploaded [QUOTE=Rich209;47009971][media]http://soundcloud.com/russiangodfather/battlestar-galatica-battlestar-sonatica-arrangement[/media][/QUOTE] fantastic production and the songwriting is nice as well it felt a bit directionless and unmemorable at first, but as soon as 1.48 kicked in the songwriting got way more interesting and memorable, at least in my opinion great track overall, would like to hear more like this [QUOTE=chaz13;47015133][media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/neurofunk-wip[/media][/quote] i love the sound of the lead synth, but it could use more variety, since there isn't really much going on with it right now drums aren't anything special but they carry the song nicely [QUOTE=killerteacup;47025633][media]http://soundcloud.com/teacarp/killing-time[/media][/quote] wasn't quite feeling it first, but as soon as the guitar came in, everything clicked together very well very nice jamming, overall nice and relaxing track i do wish there was more to it, like gradually building backing to make the song feel more dynamic, but regardless fantastic job for a track made in 2-3 hours [QUOTE=healthpoint;47026476][media]http://soundcloud.com/strange-arrival/thought-pool-wip[/media][/quote] pretty nice, snappy production and nice feel not very memorable overall though, probably cause it doesn't have much of a lead melody still, would work nicely as background music [QUOTE=The Salmon;47030617][media]http://soundcloud.com/cynyxyty/seahorse-lagoon[/media][/QUOTE] the intro is too long and dragging, other than that very nice feel singing was good and the production works pretty well, reminds me of [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5eN6MK2VVA]Hypnos 69's Deus Ex Machina[/url] [QUOTE=sourcegamer101;47038434][media]http://soundcloud.com/sourcegamer101/groove-idea[/media][/quote] not really feeling it honestly, there's nothing wrong with the melody or anything, but it feels really aimless bass and guitar sound barely connected at all, though that's probably just because it's a proof of concept rather than an actual song it might work in the context of a song, but just by itself it's not really anything, honestly [QUOTE=PelPix123;47046454][media]http://soundcloud.com/kylebloss-1/jackslament2[/media][/quote] you have an absolutely fantastic voice, really fits the musical style would love to hear you sing some original tunes, though, never been that much of a fan of covers [QUOTE=UnknownDude;47068322][media]http://soundcloud.com/brotherworks/gespleissten-hymnen[/media][/quote] super trippy, the intro builds up fantastically and gets a more frantic feel once the drums start without losing that trippy atmosphere, very well done i really like the bizarre sound of this track, it feels very odd and otherwordly, which really works in its favour great track, would love to hear more like this [QUOTE=Adeptus;47077434][media]http://soundcloud.com/federicofelau/001bit[/media][/QUOTE] sounds like trance alright, not into trance so i can't say much about it, but i didn't really find any obvious faults with it, so i'd say it's good [QUOTE=MilkBagz;47079375][media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/introvert-wip[/media][/QUOTE] has a good feel going for it, i like the production and overall sounds nice could do with more variety, but it works as background music [QUOTE=MilkBagz;47079375][media]http://soundcloud.com/masonkaskiw/hppnagn[/media][/QUOTE] i really like the chord progression and the drums sound nice too, though i'm not too keen on the kick could definitely work if you continue it [QUOTE=chaz13;47083026][media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/so-i-got-new-drum-samples[/media][/QUOTE] very nice drum samples indeed, they have that chaotic tone that music like this really needs would like to hear more full-fledged stuff with them [QUOTE=chaz13;47094639][media]http://soundcloud.com/awesomesaucee/neurostep-shizzle[/media][/QUOTE] as expected, they fit really well with the tone of the song i really like the overall production of the song, really booming kicks and the synths sound great and meaty could definitely use some variety, though, since it's just a single chord progression repeating for a while with small changes every now and then [QUOTE=FalseLogic;47104825][media]http://soundcloud.com/battology/livusd[/media][/QUOTE] all the synths sound really barebones and simplistic, which might be what you were going for, but personally i don't really like that style needs more variety, gets a bit boring after a while would work nicely as music for an ice level in a video game or something, though [QUOTE=SynisterSilen;47110905][media]http://soundcloud.com/count-latchula/the-piper[/media][/QUOTE] i love the vinyl sound, gives it a very nostalgic, calming, optimistic tone if you're continuing this, it needs more variety, though, just having stuff slowly add to the backing makes the backing sample get a bit irritating overtime [QUOTE=SynisterSilen;47110905][media]http://soundcloud.com/count-latchula/matter[/media][/QUOTE] fantastic production again, really good sound and has a similar feel to the previous track really suffers from the same problem of not having much variety, now even more so than the previous one you have some really good stuff going but you need to do something with it, rather than just letting it float for a bit and then fading out [QUOTE=SIRIUS;47128689][media]http://soundcloud.com/sierios/dawnelec[/media][/QUOTE] this really needs some shaving, the sound is really good, but with the slow build-up at the start it takes ages for the song to properly pick up having slow build-up isn't a bad idea and it's pretty well here, but it really doesn't need to go back and build up another 2 times, they just add fluff to the song and make me feel like "just get to the meat of it already" once the drums and melody actually start they're very nice, but you really need to shave off some of that dead space __________________________________________________ and now finally to my stuff: here's the second batch of redherring. releases this batch is a bit lighter and more optimistic than the first batch and overall i'm more satisfied with these than 001-005 [url=https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/006-vaguely-human-shaped-silhouettes-stood-motionless-between-the-trees]006: Vaguely Human-shaped Silhouettes Stood Motionless Between the Trees[/url] (dark ambient, minimalism) [url=https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/007-the-skyline-was-beautiful]007: The Skyline Was Beautiful[/url] (minimalism, modern classical) [url=https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/008-of-what-grand-illusionary-void-of-what-great-cosmic-force]008: Of What Grand Illusionary Void, Of What Great Cosmic Force[/url] (ambient) (includes CLungcancer's swan sample, although barely recognisable) [url=https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/009-on-the-trail-of-the-first-angel]009: On the Trail of the First Angel[/url] (post-rock, free improvisation, drone) [url=https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/010-there-was-nothing-we-couldve-done]010: There Was Nothing We Could've Done[/url] (minimalism, glitch, post-rock) (includes CLungcancer's birds sample) since i doubt most of you want to listen to all of these, i'd recommend at least giving 007 and 009 a shot

bought pro tools and looking for some good plugs. free and not free, samples and synths would be great.

Im absolutely awful at chord progressions and melodies and I dont know what to do. I dont understand picking them or placing them and I have absolutely no clue on how to build melodies from them. I start at the root spam keys and nothing happens. I just feel like giving up. What do I do?

[QUOTE=Mysterious Mr.E;47136834]Im absolutely awful at chord progressions and melodies and I dont know what to do. I dont understand picking them or placing them and I have absolutely no clue on how to build melodies from them. I start at the root spam keys and nothing happens. I just feel like giving up. What do I do?[/QUOTE] Can you give me a better example of what you're doing? I'd help you out more but the question kind of requires a lengthy answer.

[QUOTE=redBadger;47136976]Can you give me a better example of what you're doing? I'd help you out more but the question kind of requires a lengthy answer.[/QUOTE] in one track I pick 4 chords usually 2 per measure. Then I try to make a melody from them that goes from chord to chord but I just dont get it. How am I supposed to know what note to go to and in what order? I have no idea what to do

[QUOTE=Hakita;47133169]-snip- and now finally to my stuff: here's the second batch of redherring. releases this batch is a bit lighter and more optimistic than the first batch and overall i'm more satisfied with these than 001-005 [URL="https://redherringproject.bandcamp.com/album/007-the-skyline-was-beautiful"]007: The Skyline Was Beautiful[/URL] (minimalism, modern classical) since i doubt most of you want to listen to all of these, i'd recommend at least giving 007 and 009 a shot[/QUOTE] Minimalism and modern classical... Well, when i think of modern classical i think of 20th century, 12-tone, modernism/post-modernism, impressionism, atonality and stuff like that. Oh well. I say this mostly because the first minute i hear isn't in these categories, but then again you could say that modern classical could just mean newly composed classical music. By which... I don't think a hamond organ is exactly a classical instruments. But I don't want to spend any longer talking about bullshit terminology that nobody really cares about. The first minute harmonically doesn't move past a single low bass note and the C minor melodic scale. The next part up to about 1min 40s is really the same except the pedal (held) notes are higher and there's two of them. Then an actual organ goes and plays the motif, then the piano does it in rolled chords separated by long pauses. I really like the part where the speaker comes in as the piano does the chords. No I'm not listening to what he's saying, but it sounds like he's on a radio. Call me a pessimist; to me, it sounds like a dystopian dictatorship with some guy shouting propaganda for the crowds as hope is lost. The first clear major chord comes it at around 4m19s. When the top couple notes start to get repeated around 4m51s, it definitely adds a feel of rhythm to it. From 7m58s onwards, it's essentially a repeat except with the voice. The ending imo doesn't seem... long enough. The piano's last two notes could be slower, and the very last one could be held longer. Technically this is a 4-chord song, but then again some minimalist music is about repetition because it's minimal. But then again changing around instruments... eh, imo it kinda seems weird to have an organ come in at full orchestration at times. I'd like to write more but i'm not sure what i'd have to say, and i have to go to sleep (and i'm busy for the next two weeks). So...... yeah. [editline]13th February 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Mysterious Mr.E;47137406]in one track I pick 4 chords usually 2 per measure. Then I try to make a melody from them that goes from chord to chord but I just dont get it. How am I supposed to know what note to go to and in what order? I have no idea what to do[/QUOTE] Have you tried going the other way around? Start with a melody, then fit a chord into it? You've got 12 bass notes to pick from, and you can choose root, 1st and second inversion. You don't have to have a bass note for every single different melody note, some notes are bound to conflict. As a general rule of thumb, the faster you piece is, usually the more dissonant notes you can get away with. Also, try making melodies that start and end on different notes of the scale, or ones that agree with the bass notes that you're playing. (or even different scales, if you're feeling adventurous and want to experiment with key changes) etc etc.

[QUOTE=brooklynlord;47138025]Minimalism and modern classical... Well, when i think of modern classical i think of 20th century, 12-tone, modernism/post-modernism, impressionism, atonality and stuff like that. Oh well. I say this mostly because the first minute i hear isn't in these categories, but then again you could say that modern classical could just mean newly composed classical music. By which... I don't think a hamond organ is exactly a classical instruments. But I don't want to spend any longer talking about bullshit terminology that nobody really cares about. The first minute harmonically doesn't move past a single low bass note and the C minor melodic scale. The next part up to about 1min 40s is really the same except the pedal (held) notes are higher and there's two of them. Then an actual organ goes and plays the motif, then the piano does it in rolled chords separated by long pauses. I really like the part where the speaker comes in as the piano does the chords. No I'm not listening to what he's saying, but it sounds like he's on a radio. Call me a pessimist; to me, it sounds like a dystopian dictatorship with some guy shouting propaganda for the crowds as hope is lost. The first clear major chord comes it at around 4m19s. When the top couple notes start to get repeated around 4m51s, it definitely adds a feel of rhythm to it. From 7m58s onwards, it's essentially a repeat except with the voice. The ending imo doesn't seem... long enough. The piano's last two notes could be slower, and the very last one could be held longer. Technically this is a 4-chord song, but then again some minimalist music is about repetition because it's minimal. But then again changing around instruments... eh, imo it kinda seems weird to have an organ come in at full orchestration at times. I'd like to write more but i'm not sure what i'd have to say, and i have to go to sleep (and i'm busy for the next two weeks). So...... yeah.[/QUOTE] the genres aren't really anything set in stone, they're just something i put in to give people a fair idea of what to expect from those songs so they know which ones they'd rather be interested in maybe calling it chamber music would've been better? i'm not really good with genres for things i don't usually listen to, so i can't really say what would fit it the speech is actually very optimistic if you listen to it, it's about humanity's progress, taken from a speech by JFK about traveling to the moon i can kind of see where you're coming from with the ending, though i didn't think that much of it the piano (just like most instrumentation in redherring. releases) is a single improv take, so most imperfections come from that

[QUOTE=Mysterious Mr.E;47136834]Im absolutely awful at chord progressions and melodies and I dont know what to do. I dont understand picking them or placing them and I have absolutely no clue on how to build melodies from them. I start at the root spam keys and nothing happens. I just feel like giving up. What do I do?[/QUOTE] Learn music theory, analyze music in whatever genre you are trying to create, try to figure out what the common progressions are and what they sound like. Then you can just dick around with it. You could also do it without music theory but I think it's more difficult because you have to do everything by ear/intuitively. You could also try to recreate music and in the process of doing so you'll learn new things.

[QUOTE=Hakita;47138312]the genres aren't really anything set in stone, they're just something i put in to give people a fair idea of what to expect from those songs so they know which ones they'd rather be interested in maybe calling it chamber music would've been better? i'm not really good with genres for things i don't usually listen to, so i can't really say what would fit it the speech is actually very optimistic if you listen to it, it's about humanity's progress, taken from a speech by JFK about traveling to the moon i can kind of see where you're coming from with the ending, though i didn't think that much of it the piano (just like most instrumentation in redherring. releases) is a single improv take, so most imperfections come from that[/QUOTE] Yeah, hence why I hesitated to really say that it was in any genre at all. Chamber music is definitely not the right term though. That's typically reserved for small ensembles of classical instruments playing at like, say restaurants or ball dances or something. The speech is optimistic but if you aren't paying attention to the words it kinda gets warped by the moody tones of the music. Personally I think it's rather bizarre. It's definitely modern in terms of ideas of motifs, repetition and that... but not modern in terms of harmony. Oh well. I'm not going to say much more because I'm not knowledgeable in the area of minimalist music, but generally these things have a lot to do with personal expression that typically no one really gets unless explained (John Cage's 4'33, for example). Perhaps I'm lacking the context for interpretation of personal expression.

[QUOTE=brooklynlord;47144148]Yeah, hence why I hesitated to really say that it was in any genre at all. Chamber music is definitely not the right term though. That's typically reserved for small ensembles of classical instruments playing at like, say restaurants or ball dances or something. The speech is optimistic but if you aren't paying attention to the words it kinda gets warped by the moody tones of the music. Personally I think it's rather bizarre. It's definitely modern in terms of ideas of motifs, repetition and that... but not modern in terms of harmony. Oh well. I'm not going to say much more because I'm not knowledgeable in the area of minimalist music, but generally these things have a lot to do with personal expression that typically no one really gets unless explained (John Cage's 4'33, for example). Perhaps I'm lacking the context for interpretation of personal expression.[/QUOTE] it's nothing as deep as that, i just played what i felt like playing, didn't really think about it too deeply so you probably shouldn't either

I guess I'll just stay in c major

look up modes, they some fun shit

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[QUOTE=soupman345-2;47147825]hip hop [media]http://soundcloud.com/spaghettifingers/aesop-rocky-coffee-remix[/media] honest criticism? and any other producers care to help me out with good sources to learn? Im trying to make just straight raw hip hop no trap shit[/QUOTE] Not a fan of the drums, really. The snare should link in tightly with the vocals and it's a bit all over the place here. The vocals are way too low in the mix. Sounds cool in general though, it has potential.