length of songs?

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LetsGoBlues91
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length of songs?

Post by LetsGoBlues91 » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:18 pm

Do you guys prefer to make songs around the 2-3 minute range, or 5-6 minute range?

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krispy
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Re: length of songs?

Post by krispy » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:26 pm

Whatever happens, happens

I don't really aim for a specific length TBH
sometimes they r long, sometimes they r short

2-3min is a bit short though..

wub
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Re: length of songs?

Post by wub » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:28 pm

LetsGoBlues91 wrote:Do you guys prefer to make songs around the 2-3 minute range, or 5-6 minute range?

If you can keep the track interesting, make it as long as you like.

nnny
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Re: length of songs?

Post by nnny » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:29 pm

Yeah just whatever feels right. Agreed tho, 2-3 a little short.

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onewingedangelokc
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Re: length of songs?

Post by onewingedangelokc » Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:51 pm

That really depends on what I'm trying to achieve with the track I'm working on. If it's a bullshit, "writing for writing's sake" brostep track, then I tend to make it fairly simple, which gets repetitive if it's not limited to 3-4 minutes. More concentrated efforts tend to turn out longer; and in the case of what I refer to as "thought-provoking", melodic dubs, which usually have some emotional or spiritual significance or inspiration to me while writing, I work it until I feel it's "completed". In one case, the result was a track that falls just short of 10 minutes.

However, the length isn't a primary concern for me. I generally just work out whatever formula I decide I'm going to apply, and lengthen or shorten as needed to make the track "make sense".

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alphacat
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Re: length of songs?

Post by alphacat » Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:01 pm

It's always better to leave 'em wanting more than to overextend it just for the sake of convention.

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-[2]DAY_-
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Re: length of songs?

Post by -[2]DAY_- » Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:04 pm

Depends on context
If you're making dance music, produce a tool/ammunition for DJs -- 2 minutes of intro, drop, transition, variation, outro
or Whatever arrangement you prefer, but there's no need to draw out every permutation possible for the listener and end up with 5-8 minutes of the same dance beat.

I think most dubs i hear around these parts are about twice as long as they should be, imo.
I'm guilty as anybody btw...
plus there's always the possibility of doing a remix. I say gimme the beat til it makes its statement, then leave it at that. leave the rest to DJs

2 minutes is a nice target imo. Many industry scouts will not listen if its over 3, and u have about 10 seconds to get their attention.Keeping it for 2-3 minutes is something to be proud of cuz theyre busy folks.
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Basic A
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Basic A » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:05 pm

Longest track I ever got sent was 11.30... And every single bar counts on that one. If you can keep it moving, do it.
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EDN
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Re: length of songs?

Post by EDN » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:12 pm

Mate, I love prog metal so I'm not unused to 20 minute epics.
The problem is the laziness of producers, reusing beats and riffs over and over.

As everyone above me has said, as long as you can keep interesting make it as long as you like.
Besides isn't a DJ mix just one hour long track?
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Sharmaji
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Sharmaji » Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:31 pm

if it's over 6 minutes, it'd better be fantastic. Otherwise, I aim for around 4:45-- get in, get out, BANG.
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Echoi
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Echoi » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:25 am

I think we've got a new Jaydot on out hands here

3 an a half to 4 an a half mins

LetsGoBlues91
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Re: length of songs?

Post by LetsGoBlues91 » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:46 am

Echoi wrote:I think we've got a new Jaydot on out hands here

3 an a half to 4 an a half mins

lol is that bad? Who is JayDot?

+3
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Re: length of songs?

Post by +3 » Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:36 pm

My longest tune is 2.15

Now, that sounds insanely short until you listen to it / them:

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There is no other length that would work.

The songs are complete.

-t-

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Echoi
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Echoi » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:43 pm

LetsGoBlues91 wrote:
Echoi wrote:I think we've got a new Jaydot on out hands here

3 an a half to 4 an a half mins

lol is that bad? Who is JayDot?
A 'Jaydot' is someone who often starts threads, of little value.

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JFK
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Re: length of songs?

Post by JFK » Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:35 pm

Echoi wrote:
A 'Jaydot' is someone who often starts threads, of little value.
-w- you are such a meany -w-

LetsGoBlues91
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Re: length of songs?

Post by LetsGoBlues91 » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:13 pm

Well sorry. Just asking questions. Atleast I'm getting helpful answers!

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drokkr
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Re: length of songs?

Post by drokkr » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:20 pm

Echoi wrote:A 'Jaydot' is someone who often starts threads, of little value.
Bwhahaha :D

4 mins plus... if you can keep things evolving and fresh to the ear make it longer. Don't copy and paste the first 64 bars and dump them in with some minor variation to the bass, a case of just being lazy. I get sent lots of stuff like this. Don@t be afraid to push your self and experiment with percussion to keep things moving.

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Demian
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Demian » Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:57 pm

My tunes are usually the results of jamming, so the length varies...it all goes by how I'm feeling.

Yesterday I jammed out a tune that ended up almost 9 minutes.....and it all works, the only thing I could really shorten is the intro (but then it'd be less than 32 bars, and not as mixable)...so I'm gonna be stubborn and keep it long.

As long as the song stays interesting the whole way through.
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Echoi
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Echoi » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:05 pm

LetsGoBlues91 wrote:Well sorry. Just asking questions. Atleast I'm getting helpful answers!
Sorry i couldnt help myself with the volume of threads you've started this week :hugegrin:

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Demian
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Re: length of songs?

Post by Demian » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:15 pm

Demian wrote:My tunes are usually the results of jamming, so the length varies...it all goes by how I'm feeling.

Yesterday I jammed out a tune that ended up almost 9 minutes.....and it all works, the only thing I could really shorten is the intro (but then it'd be less than 32 bars, and not as mixable)...so I'm gonna be stubborn and keep it long.

As long as the song stays interesting the whole way through.
lol scratch that. Listened again and 9 minutes was def. too long.

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“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
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Carl Sagan

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