4/4 is so early 2000’s! Seriously, how many pop tracks do you remember with the same drum beat and bassline with the same chord progression for the exact same amount of time? It is easy to get stuck writing what you hear because we simply get inspired by other music. The question then is, how...
Practicing an instrument or learning a new plugin can be fairly straightforward. You run your scales, or you learn what a threshold is, and you repeat until it is memorized. This type of practice is objective and has a clear goal in mind. However, sometimes, your goal is not so clear. Writing music is a...
Jack of all trades, master of none… Many of us have heard this phrase, but what does it really mean? Is it meant to be mean, or realistic? In our field of audio and music, with so many unique jobs to be done, it’s easy to take on tons of work and spread ourselves too...
Major scales are boring. Really, they are so overused and don’t always sound great. So what’s our alternative? Minor Scales Are Your Friend Today, we are going to break down one simple idea: writing melodies on minor chords. While it seems obvious, if you are in a major key, use the corresponding major scale. A...
Chords are super complex. How are you supposed to know what notes are in them? Over the past couple of blogs, we have been looking into the construction of scales and the idea of intervals. Using a similar concept to constructing scales, we will tackle chords and uncover how simple they really are. Scales Versus...
Working on a team can be rewarding… It can also be difficult, unorganized, and even uncomfortable at times. This is especially true when you are working with other creative people who all have valid ideas that can clash. This could come in the form of producing a track with an artist or, in my usual...
Sometimes, a certain song on the radio really grabs your attention. There is something about how it feels or a particular part that uniquely stands out. Generally, these sounds are bold choices that are less common techniques but, when used correctly, have big payoffs. Today we will discuss some of these techniques and hopefully, you...
You have heard the terms major and minor, and you know some scales. Not too bad, just use major or minor depending on your chord. Easy as that, right? WRONG! What if I told you there is more than one major or minor scale? What if I told you you could play in E minor...
Did you hear that new remix by Dua Lipa, Elton John, and PNAU? Why does it sound the way it does? Who wrote that catchy bassline? What’s the chord progression? Is there harmony in the vocal line? The best way to learn to make music is to answer your own questions. To simplify that, copy...
“Come on guys, it’s not music theory” the rocket scientist says… Music theory is the collection of a wide range of tools to understand music. Many people like myself attend university to develop these strengths. Topics like understanding scale and chord constructions are complex and frankly intimidating. Many producers today shy away from music theory...