Songwriting For Dummies Pdf Free Download
Violeta Torigian
Now, the expectations are mostly towards me since I'm most experienced with keys, especially synths (I can program my own analog-style patches, etc.), I know how to record some tracks in Logic Pro X. But that's about it. I tried to create some modern music but simply don't know where to start from. Tried to sequence some drum patterns in Logic but they are rather pathetic, sequenced some tracks but my mind is always working more in the traditional bass-harmony-melody way.
Is there any chance a (way too) traditional guy like me to learn making more modern music? What is needed as skills? Which programs to use? Or hardware? What would be the easiest way to make this paradigm shift from traditional harmonic/melodic type of music to more pattern/rhythm/sound/FX oriented one? I'm not even sure I may need my keyboard, I see some videos where some youngsters are using pads to enter notes/scales and the rest is done by the machine ? Maybe I'm just too old for this sh*t after all...
I've recorded tracks for a friend's dark wave / goth project. When I was involved, it struck me that like most genres, there is the mechanical way of looking at recognizable musical components - but with some genre like punk, goth, and dark wave, that can lead traditionally experienced players like me down the wrong path. It's like listening to Elizabeth Fraser and concluding that to make Cocteau Twins you have to create a new abstract language. Or just soak everything in reverb. Those components are there, and I'm missing the point.
There's a mood and an ethos and a sense of exploring a side of things with equal parts shadow, light, and menace that lives inside all of this music, it seems to me. The devices, recording methods, and tools are all secondary.
Maybe I'm missing the point of your question entirely, and I'm sorry if I am. But over the years, I've found when I'm stepping into an unfamiliar genre, I have to understand the roots and branches before I start making music decisions. Sort of like Sonny Rollins when he said he couldn't solo on a tune if he didn't know the lyrics.
@timwatthank you for the reply. Well, maybe I didn't ask it right, I'm pretty familiar with that music as a listener. I may have listened to Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Underworld equally as much as I listen to classical music and jazz. It's in my head and I can even imagine my own similar music to a certain degree but don't know how to actually create it and approach it. I've been too much into playing mostly classical music, or jazzy/funky stuff in a band and my mind is too stiffened thinking in chords and scales, as well as in mastering particular instrument technique, licks, etc.. I'm wondering if someone with a more traditional background has attempted approaching modern styles and what has worked for them. For instance, do you just try what's in your head, like sequence it in tracks, or do you just start messing around with drum machines, sequences, synths and leave it to chance to find something that inspires you to move it forward. And if so, what kind of software. Also, rhythms really baffle me, I'm wondering if producers really sequence them from scratch or are based on ready made ones or generative sequencers, etc. But you may be right that I am thinking it wrong that it depends on equipment and software, when it's actually more just a state of mentality?
FYI: the vast majority of people creating EDM are not musicians playing an instrument. They are non-musicians working on software - which is exactly why musicians listen to those drum patterns and think it sounds really pathetic.
I recommend starting with a YouTube search "how to make EDM". You'll find lots of videos with examples of "authentic" EDM - some will have links to samples you can download. Start by trying to copy one of those songs on your own. You'll pick up lots of tricks of the trade.
I remember when I laid down drums for the dark wave / goth project, I decided to go drum-by-drum, manually, and build loops that way. What really struck me was how Eno / oblique strategies type of approach yielded better results (for drums, synths, and everything else I recorded) than my typical finger-happy, more traditional music type of way - which sounds maybe similar to what your first efforts have been like.
Why have you decided EDM is what you want to create? Just from what I gather from your posts here you don't seem to listen to it. It is pretty basic of all genres to my senses at least. You said you program patches. In the process have you ever heard something that triggered a melody in your head and explored that? I go through presets and hear potential. Of all genres it seems that everything could come out exploration and experimenting with ideas along the way.
Yeah, on a second thought I really shouldn't have used EDM at all. While I'm also interested collaterally in EDM too, because some of the bands I mean also make EDM (for instance Underworld), it's mostly dark-wave, trip-hop, synth-wave, synth-pop, industrial that I'm interested in.
Does The Chrystal Method fit into this? They have a hard driving drum presence. EDM usually is ongoing dance X rave vibe. There are so many variations. You could just start with a patch and build on where your imagination takes you then determine the niche later. Beer may not be the best choice for anything creative worth keeping once you sober up. ?
Ohh, yeah!!! I must admit I haven't listened to them for years and should refresh myself but there were times that I would listen to them on repeat. Of course Prodigy as well, and The Propellerheads, Chemical Brothers, etc. but I guess all that is more big-beat, if I'm not mistaken.
As for EDM, there's stuff there that I like nevertheless, like Insomnia by Faithless, or Children by Robert Miles. Huge fan of Drum'n'Bass too, which is also part of EDM but I'm not sure it's good for vocals.
In Logic Pro X, I think the most EDM friendly tools to master are drum machine designer, step sequencer and session (clip) view. Check out Eli Krantzberg's little example below. Hopefully these workflows will help ...
I think your "problem" is described perfectly by Jerry the K as "micro-genres." EDM is too many "different" things, yet a lot of them are such close cousins, its sometimes like inbreeding. Tusker's post above is an excellent start. I'm a Logic Pro X fan, so I'd say just build a mock-up from the ample supply of beats, fine-tune it with your pals and then decide if you want to enhance that as your base or start fresh. I often get good results from using a simple canned beat as a metronome and then adding things by hand. If someone can't creditably emulate Depeche Mode, they don't need a synth, they need a kazoo. If you can emulate Ozric Tentacles, you need a BIGGER synth!
There's no specific piece of gear to recommend, as any two or three halfway decent synths can cover your needs easily. You wouldn't choose a MiniBrute for solo piano, but its wide open otherwise. The synth that can emit a ripping lead can also generate fluffy little clouds. Its especially true of bigger synths, such as Roland's FA-06, Serum or UVI's Falcon.
Generative options don't really make music, just a) appealing alternatives to white noise and b) good starting points if you want to add your own layers or better yet, melodies. Some can be tweaked in colorful ways that will inspire you, but I think you should stick to the beat basics in Logic's libraries, at least until you hit a few AHA! moments and find your footing. Hope that helps, at least a little.
There's a ton of electronic music and how/to's on YouTube. Start there. Get a handle on electronic drum production, loops, sounds, etc. as that's always a big part of it....(or else start with 3rd party loops.) Electronic music is created "in the box" for the most part these days. It's mostly programming as opposed to actual performance. A part of it is sound design which can run deep, depending on what sort of EDM you pursue. There's a lot to learn to do it well. There's a plethora of great free synths and fx plug-ins out there to download these days though to put it all together. All you really need is a good DAW, some clever ideas and a lot of time to experiment. All the extra "gear" requirements you can download.
My piano teacher's band(i am a keyboard assistant to them) called Incirrina, and is one of the best underground European dark wave bands. They work with Akai mpc live for drums and analog synths(minimoog, korg prlogue) for the sounds. Check them...
Thanks for your kind words, very happy you like the songs. Incirrina use akai as a player but George do drums breaks both from akai and from 2 Roland's percussion pads. Many times take a Boss looper pedal instead of the akai(when they play abroad).
I set Electrinity's live shows to a macbook. I use mainstage for all synth parts, backing tracks, bass and vocal effects. A lot of work but we have a nice result. We have not play live yet so i have time to experiment...
I've found that if I have to look up what a genre is, I may not be qualified to write music in it
More seriously, it's tough to break yourself out of ruts. For example, a few times I've settled in to do some "ambient" chill music. Inevitably a beat starts up and it starts to turn into something more like Peter Gabriel (in style, if not quality).
My biggest tip is to think in terms of riffs, or "hooks" when it comes to modern electronic music, although this fits more with trance/edm/house/chill etc than more alternative forms. Also think evolving textures vs verse-chorus-bridge + melody song format - this is especially true for alternative/experimental electronic music.
Compile that and choose the best stuff for the verses and the worst stuff for the chorus and song title. It's important at this point to not be ashamed of yourselves and allow whatever comes forth. Sing a bunch of stuff, including backup vocals. Record the singing.
b1e95dc632