Dubstepforum.com

kaiori breathe wrote:I saw some posts about key changes and people saying they didn't get them. So ima just throw out some basics for people.

Easiest way to move to a new key is to know before hand that that is what you want to do. If you're writing a track and you've got a 32 bar loop and you decide to change key after having written your 32 bar loop it'll be much harder to do it than it would be if you had decided you wanted a key change before hand. Deciding before hand gives you a chance to write a 32 bar phrase that will move gently into a new key, rather than awkwardly forcing its way into a new one.

One of the most standard key changes is moving to the 5th of whatever key you're in. In C Major this is moving to G. Personally I'm not a fan of moving to the 5th. But it's a strong key change.

Problems you might find that arise in doing this will probably be the large jump that will immediately hit you when you enter G major. You'll feel like "wtf, that melody just went way up out of nowhere". Using chord inversions to keep everything around the same octave will help reduce that feeling greatly.

Another simple and really commonly used key change is moving to the minor third of whatever major you're in (if you're not sure what the minor third is, just count down 3 semitones from your root note, so the minor third of C would be A) This one's used a lot in breakdowns. The thing about key changes is you need to know where to put them really. The hardest part about moving to a new key is knowing when to do it and for how long to keep it up.

Equally if you're in a minor key you can move to the major third. So the major third of A would be C (just count up 3 semitones)

Making a key change actually work a lot of the time is based on not over using it, you need the majority of your track to sit on the root, you only want a brief deviation to a new key but equally if you don't stay in your new key long enough it will sound out of place. So you have to use your ear to decide really.

Also moving from the root to the 4th is used sometimes to create an airy feeling. I really like that key change.

Anyway, I'd go more in depth but I don't really use key changes often enough to be able to give any really good advice on them.

Sharmaji wrote: I'm really interested in the fact that there's very few replies about rhythm here.

Sharmaji wrote: I'm really interested in the fact that there's very few replies about rhythm here.

Sharmaji wrote:Speaking along the lines of music as structure and music theory: what don't you know that you wish you did? chords, scales? rhythmic things (subdivisions/modulation/etc)? harmony?

Curious as to what the up-and-coming electronic musicians of today are struggling with. I know it can be frustrating and you want to reply "all of it," but go deeper-- what? what parts drive you crazy?

Sharmaji wrote: I'm really interested in the fact that there's very few replies about rhythm here.

Subside wrote:

FSTZ wrote:I often struggle to crank out a catchy melody which often leads me to feel like alot of my music is generic.

If anyone knows of some methods or practices that aid in development of melodies.. please let me know

Were on the same boat my friend melodies have to be one of my weakest areas

FSTZ wrote:I often struggle to crank out a catchy melody which often leads me to feel like alot of my music is generic.

If anyone knows of some methods or practices that aid in development of melodies.. please let me know

grooki wrote:

Sharmaji wrote: I'm really interested in the fact that there's very few replies about rhythm here.

i feel like I have my rhythm down!

jks there is always more to know and learn really. But I just love making drums, interesting little sounds and noises. I love how in drums often the major markers are the kick and snare sounds, but it's really everything else that gives the drums the flavour. I've actually been listeing to a whole lot of old jungle and have been wondering how they get those ride cymbals so damn awesome. I guess that's a production thing though - I can see what they are playing but they way they sort of pump and ebb, I can't figure out how (that's another thread really).


Someone already said this, but i'd like to know more about how to get mystical sounding melodies. I can get there sort of but I'd really like to know more about how

wirez wrote:Marketing, building and maintaining fans, making a decent image and profit making

wirez wrote:

gravity wrote:i also would like to be more proficient at actually playing the piano, but thats more down to practice (or lack of) than anything else i guess.

Absolutely 2nd this one!

green plan wrote:Struggle with making it the same song but the next bit in it

Sharmaji wrote:I'm really interested in the fact that there's very few replies about rhythm here.

Sharmaji wrote:good answers but i'm thinking the structures and theories of music-- how notes fit together in melody, harmony, and rhythm-- not production.

nowaysj wrote:

wirez wrote:Marketing, building and maintaining fans, making a decent image and profit making

Make new, interesting music that is a natural progression from the music that came before it.

That'll be three dollars.

NEXT

Project_B wrote:I wish i knew how to program breakcore drums.

deadly habit wrote:everything! i wanna know it all

jobbanaught wrote: After laying down a basic tune with drums and a bassline, what options do i have to harmonize the bass? I'm sick of building simple chords on the root of the bassline and build melodies of the chord notes... But i dont know nay other way. I follow the basic music theory Ive learnt, but it really starts to bore me out