Ray Harmony's Blog, page 23

How to Harmonize a Melody - 2 Music Theory Hacks for Better Choruses

Hello, we are Kate Harmony & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to the Hack Music Theory show, where you are empowered with notation-free theory for making great music in DAWs.

In this Hack Music Theory lesson, you’ll learn how to add a captivating harmony to your lead melody, which is gonna take your music to a whole new level.

1:26 - HACK 1 - Paint a Backdrop
A backing melody can either harmonise each note of your lead melody individually, or it can function more as a backdrop, against which your lead melody can shine even brighter. We chose the latter option, as our lead melody has a lot of movement and energy, so we didn’t want to take any attention away from that.

2:57 - HACK 2 - Opposites Attract
In those moments when your lead melody has less movement, ramp up the energy of your backing melody, because opposites attract! By giving your backing melody more notes than your lead melody, your lead can get away with some long notes without losing your listeners’ attention.

EXAMPLE
The example in this video is the chorus from of our upcoming single “Down with the Drama”, which features the amazing Sarah Serene on vocals. We’re in the key of F♯ minor (AKA F♯ Aeolian), and our chords are: F♯m, Amaj, Emaj, Bm, Dmaj, Amaj.

MORE
If you want a more in-depth lesson on how to write backing melodies, watch our recommended video that’s gonna pop up on your screen right after the final playthrough in this video. And if you like our hacks, then be sure to subscribe and hit the bell to get notifications. Thanks for watching!

Lastly, do you struggle to finish your music? If you do, then check out our online apprenticeship course, where you’ll learn how to effortlessly write new sections for existing sections, how to transition between them, and most importantly, how to finish your songs! For more info, just head on over to our Apprenticeship Course. Alright, enjoy the video/podcast. But first… tea!

Kate & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony)
Music Teachers & Producers in Vancouver BC, Canada

LEARN
1: Read our free book (below) & watch our YouTube videos
2: Read our "Part 1" book & "Songwriting & Producing" PDF
3: Learn how to become a song-whisperer, and effortlessly finish music!

ABOUT
Hack Music Theory is the pioneering notation-free method for making great music. Taught by award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé (and wife) Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series "Hack Music Theory", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more. Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his Hack Music Theory method! While these Hack Music Theory YouTube lessons teach music theory for producers and DAW users, they are designed to accommodate all music makers (songwriters, guitarists, etc.) and all genres, from Electronic Music to R&B, Pop to Hip-Hop, Reggae to Rock, EDM/Dance to Metal (and yes, we djefinitely Djent!).

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Published on May 07, 2018 10:43

2 Hacks to Write a Bass Line Using Non-Diatonic Notes, and More!

Hello, we are Kate Harmony & Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to the Hack Music Theory show, where you are empowered with notation-free theory for making great music in DAWs.

Playing only the root note of each chord in your bass does not make a bass line, so in this video you’ll learn how to write a bass line using non-diatonic notes, and more!

1:35 - HACK 1: Go The Wrong Way
To make your bass lines more melodic (and therefore more memorable!), simply start by adding a short note in between some root notes. This creates a flowing contour to your bass line, while also adding excitement to the rhythm department.

3:13 - HACK 2: Go Outside
Now that your bass line is flowing, it’s time to get dangerous! So, try moving one of your short notes to a note that is not in the scale. Yep, we’re going offroading! Notes that are outside the scale are called non-diatonic notes, and used in the right place, they’re a game-changer!

The example in this video is the chorus from of our upcoming single “Down with the Drama”, which features the amazing Sarah Serene on vocals. We’re in the key of F♯ minor (AKA F♯ Aeolian), and our chords are: F♯m, Amaj, Emaj, Bm, Dmaj, Amaj.