KVR Audio

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:38 am

xbitz wrote: ↑Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:52 am starting with suspensions against a cantus firmus ( fourth species counterpoint ) ...

A firm cactus in boiling water with a pinch of salt and then what?

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:15 am

^^^ the fixed(already exists) part in counterpointing >> http://openmusictheory.com/cantusFirmus.html

or check the mentioned DMP course, it has been explained well

the non-marked bottom ones here

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:01 am

It's amazing how complicated things can sound when trying to explain with written word. Especially when people use standardized non native language terms. I can see the benefit of developing an initial idea that 'fell out of the sky' using theory though.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:54 am

^^^ interesting to checking the baroque compositions from this point of view,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqe0GdUpJHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbMw6X3T40
lovely theory based symmetries everywhere like the pieces of a grand puzzle

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:08 am

Interesting. How to go from a riff to a composition. There might be something to that music theory after all.

Thanks for posting those last two videos. The visuals help, without the usual complicated looking notation getting in the way. Here, I can see the patterns.

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:12 am

then there are some lovely tricks too (EDM/trance)
Zen world
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 9sZd5EuFFs
Hack Music Theory
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKiHS ... t6w/videos
go first in my mind

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:22 am

I've got to head but I'll be sure to check it out later on.

Update: The guy in the last video seemed baffled by his own concepts. The blind leading the blind.

I'm very interested in those other two videos though.

everet · Post by **everet** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:16 pm

Thanks for the suggestions! What I've taken away from these replies is that melodies are felt and you should go with feeling when writing one. In terms of practice, I like the suggestion of using a more melodic instrument like a recorder or vocals as these are predominately used for melodies. I play a bit of piano and yeah it's true I always go to chords when writing a song. I'll look to try and write melodies from humming or using monophonic synths, etc. Interns of a practice routine going forward would it be a bad thing to create basic chord progressions daily and write multiple melodies over them? In terms of theory thanks for the video suggestions I'll check them out. For me, I've read so much about the theory behind it, and I want to get into writing and improving by doing. One of the resources for the theory that I thought was good is Hook Theory, but I just wanted a way to improve upon what I learnt.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Tue Jul 02, 2019 4:13 pm

xbitz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:54 am ^^^ interesting to checking the baroque compositions from this point of view,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqe0GdUpJHs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATbMw6X3T40
lovely theory based symmetries everywhere like the pieces of a grand puzzle

These are very interesting! It really does help to lay bare the note patterns in a way in which traditional notation tends to obscure. I don’t know that I’ll be the next Bach or Vivaldi, but it does make their thought process much more accessible.

jiggy · Post by **jiggy** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 5:17 am

nice stuff, thanks for sharing everyone!

xbitz · Post by **xbitz** » Wed Jul 03, 2019 6:08 am

"starting with suspensions against a cantus firmus ( fourth species counterpoint ) usually gives me an acceptable starting point which can be developed nicely later or can generate ideas for a new song/melody"

so yepp, cont. from the prev. page, can be started with counterpointing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5auJTLoRy8
then it can be developed, it quite a good framework for practicing IMO

--
u can find good articles here : The Theory & Arrangement Behind ... https://www.edmprod.com/?s=The+Theory+%26+Arrangement

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:28 am

everet wrote:I play a bit of piano and yeah it's true I always go to chords when writing a song

You could always write melodies for the right hand part and a chordal accompaniment for the left hand part. Piano is one of the best instruments out there for melodic composition.

AngelCityOutlaw · Post by **AngelCityOutlaw** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:59 pm

The best way to learn how to write strong melodies is to start by omitting the pitch entirely and just focusing on the rhythm.

Super Mario, Star Wars, etc. are all identifiable just by their rhythm.

Once you have that down, the next step is learning to create a motiv and then structure it into sentence/period form, and focus on only having one highest and lowest point that is not repeated in a phrase to create a pleasing contour.

Writing melodies is akin to writing sentences, or lines of poetry; just with notes on an instrument instead of words.

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:12 pm

AngelCityOutlaw wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:59 pm The best way to learn how to write strong melodies is to start by omitting the pitch entirely and just focusing on the rhythm.

A melody is a sequence of notes (usually in 12 tone equal temperament in Western music), so without pitch it is not a melody.

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of composers throughout the ages would disagree about ignoring pitch being the best way to learn composition.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:18 pm

You could take the lyrics from a professional song and use them to aid your melody writing. Something that flows well can help. Later you can put in the work and create your own lyrics.

Tips For Practicing Writing Melodies