Ray Harmony's Blog, page 30

Jacob Collier, Negative Harmony & How to Write a Negative Melody

Hello, Ray Harmony and Kate Harmony here. Welcome to the Hack Music Theory show. It’s an extra special one today, as it’s our first show as a married couple. Yep, on the weekend we officially became Mr and Mrs Harmony. But, instead of going on a honeymoon this week, we returned to our studio to make more music theory videos for you.

And, it seems the universe rewarded us for our dedication, as last night the genius Jacob Collier came to town, and we would’ve missed him if we were on a honeymoon. If you don’t know who Jacob Collier is, let me sum him up in a nutshell. Whenever the world is lucky beyond lucky, we get gifted with a human who somehow manages to work their compositional and performance skills to an equally genius level. My hero, JS Bach, is the obvious example of these extraordinary musicians. Now in our time though, we have Jacob Collier, who is a mere 22 years young, and has already proved himself worthy of that comparison.

Jacob’s show last night was truly mind-blowing and heart-blowing, and left us speechless. But, we did manage to get our tongues back after the show to have an inspiring chat with this humble genius. He mentioned that the incredible June Lee, who is a fellow music theory nerd like us, had just uploaded a new music theory interview with him yesterday. So naturally, we went home and watched the whole 38-minute video after midnight, twice. If you missed part one of this interview series, which June uploaded a couple months ago. It ended up going viral, and now every musician and their cat is obsessed with this negative harmony thing Jacob talked about.

So, in Jacob’s latest video, he talks more about negative harmony, and we know that’s going to spark even more interest in the topic. Seeing as we’ve already had tons of people asking us to do a video on negative harmony, that’s what we’re going to do today. In this new video, Jacob excellently explains this theory as both a harmonic concept and a melodic concept. And in the context of popular music these days, melody is far more important than harmony. This can been heard in most of today’s big hits, which focus all the attention on the vocal melodies and bass lines. Sometimes these hits don’t even contain any chords, and when they do, they’re often in the background acting as sonic filler.

For this reason, I can see an awesome application for the negative melody concept in popular music, in the way of vocal or bass lines, and that’s what I’m gonna share in this video. By the way, Jacob explains the melodic use of negative harmony at 4:21 in his new video, and we’re gonna zoom into the C negative major example he gives.

[image error]Before we jump in though, here’s a little disclaimer. Firstly, the example I’ll be teaching in this video is just one of a myriad of possibilities for using negative harmony, so please use this as inspiration to experiment with your own ideas. And secondly, negative harmony is just a theory, conceptualized by one person, so while many musicians are getting caught up in arguments about whether it exists or not, and if it does, how to correctly apply it, none of this is relevant. Exactly, negative harmony is just another creative hack that we can put in our songwriting toolboxes.

I’ve been teaching music theory for over two decades, and throughout that time I’ve had countless musicians argue with me that music theory hinders creativity, and unsurprisingly, not once has this argument ever come from someone who actually understands music theory, because those who learn theory, experience the exact opposite. Music theory ignites creativity, as it connects things that were previously disconnected; music theory expands our musical vocabulary, allowing us to easily express things we could never previously express.

Now, without further ado, here is our brand new video lesson that we spent 17 hours each working on today (34 hours total), which shows you what "negative melody" is, and how to use it in popular/electronic music. So, if you wanna flip the script on your songwriting and try something completely different, check out today's episode of the Hack Music Theory show: Jacob Collier, Negative Harmony, and How to Write a Negative Melody (15-minute YouTube video), and be sure to catch Jacob's personal message to you at 0:20 in our video/podcast.

We really hope you dig our new video lesson, and if you wanna get your hands on all the vital theory hacks you need to write great songs, then please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF.

Lastly, thanks big time to our patrons over on Patreon for supporting our work. And if you wanna join our Hack Music Theory revolution and get exclusive content too, then please sign up at Patreon.com/RevolutionHarmony

Thank you for being brave and committing to make the world a better place through better music. Until next week, happy songwriting & producing!

Kate & Ray Harmony - Victoria BC, Canada
Musicians | Songwriters | Producers | Teachers

 
 

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How to Program Interesting 4/4 Drums

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to program interesting 4/4 drums.

Watch this Hack Music Theory lesson to learn why 4/4 is the most common time signature, why it is predictable, and how you can hack it to program more interesting drums. And, if you don't know what a time signature is, that's explained too!

Hope you dig, and if you wanna get your hands on all the vital theory hacks you need to write great songs, then please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony – Victoria BC, Canada
Songwriter | Producer | Teacher | Author

 
 

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“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

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Vlog #1 – ISMMS Metal Music Conference 2017

We went to the ISMMS (International Society for Metal Music Studies) 2017 conference last weekend at UVic (University of Victoria BC, Canada), and we took the opportunity to film our first vlog.

The conference was a deeply inspiring experience, so we're pumped to share a little behind-the-scenes action with you!

Kate & Ray Harmony – Victoria BC, Canada
Musicians | Songwriters | Producers | Teachers

 
 

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“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

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background: #EAE9EA url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top;
font-family: 'Assistant', light;
line-height: 1.5em;
overflow: hidden;
color: #000000;
font-size: 16px;
border-top: none;
border-top-color: #666666;
border-bottom: none;
border-bottom-color: #3d3d3d;
-webkit-box-shadow: none;
-moz-box-shadow: none;
box-shadow: none;
clear: both;
margin: 0px 0px;
}

.ck_form, .ck_form * {
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
-moz-box-sizing: border-box;
box-sizing: border-box;
}

#ck_subscribe_form {
clear: both;
}

/* Element Queries — uses JS */

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
}

.ck_form.ck_vertical {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
overflow: hidden;
}

/* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */

@media all and (max-width: 499px) {

.ck_form {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
}

}

/* Content */

.ck_form_content h3 {
margin: 0px 0px 0px;
font-size: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}


.ck_form_content p {
font-size: 14px;
}

.ck_image {
float: left;
margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Form fields */

.ck_errorArea {
display: none;
}

#ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px;
border: solid 1px #ddd;
background: #eee;
}

.ck_label {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
}

.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
}

.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
padding: 14px 8px;
font-size: 18px;
background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by {
display: block;
color: #aaa;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover {
display: block;
color: #444;
}

.ck_converted_content {
display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
}


/* v6 */

.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}

How to Write Great Lyrics That Match Your Vocal Melodies

Today on the Hack Music Theory show: How to Write Great Lyrics That Match Your Vocal Melodies.

Melodies are musical stories, and so many songs these days end up with their lyrics and vocal melodies telling two totally different stories. For example, the lyrics might be joyful, but its melody is melancholic. This mismatch between the lyrics and their melodies is an amateur mistake, which you won't be making, as we're revealing our 5-step lyric hack in this video/podcast.

Hope you dig, and if you wanna get your hands on the ultimate lyric hack, along with all the other vital hacks you need for writing great songs, then please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony – Victoria BC, Canada
Songwriter | Producer | Teacher | Author

 
 

Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head over to your inbox now for your free download.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

 

“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
 DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK


/* Layout */
.ck_form {
/* divider image */
background: #EAE9EA url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top;
font-family: 'Assistant', light;
line-height: 1.5em;
overflow: hidden;
color: #000000;
font-size: 16px;
border-top: none;
border-top-color: #666666;
border-bottom: none;
border-bottom-color: #3d3d3d;
-webkit-box-shadow: none;
-moz-box-shadow: none;
box-shadow: none;
clear: both;
margin: 0px 0px;
}

.ck_form, .ck_form * {
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
-moz-box-sizing: border-box;
box-sizing: border-box;
}

#ck_subscribe_form {
clear: both;
}

/* Element Queries — uses JS */

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
}

.ck_form.ck_vertical {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
overflow: hidden;
}

/* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */

@media all and (max-width: 499px) {

.ck_form {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
}

}

/* Content */

.ck_form_content h3 {
margin: 0px 0px 0px;
font-size: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}


.ck_form_content p {
font-size: 14px;
}

.ck_image {
float: left;
margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Form fields */

.ck_errorArea {
display: none;
}

#ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px;
border: solid 1px #ddd;
background: #eee;
}

.ck_label {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
}

.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
}

.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
padding: 14px 8px;
font-size: 18px;
background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by {
display: block;
color: #aaa;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover {
display: block;
color: #444;
}

.ck_converted_content {
display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
}


/* v6 */

.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}

8 Steps for Writing Better Vocal Melodies

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to write vocal melodies that are catchy and creative!

Check out this Hack Music Theory video/podcast if you want to learn how to write vocal melodies that stand out from the crowd, by using our simple 8-step guide to catchy and creative vocal lines (AKA top lines).

Hope you dig, and if you want more theory hacks, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony – Victoria BC, Canada
Songwriter | Producer | Teacher | Author

 
 

Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head over to your inbox now for your free download.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

 

“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
 DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK


/* Layout */
.ck_form {
/* divider image */
background: #EAE9EA url(data:image/gif;base64,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) repeat-y center top;
font-family: 'Assistant', light;
line-height: 1.5em;
overflow: hidden;
color: #000000;
font-size: 16px;
border-top: none;
border-top-color: #666666;
border-bottom: none;
border-bottom-color: #3d3d3d;
-webkit-box-shadow: none;
-moz-box-shadow: none;
box-shadow: none;
clear: both;
margin: 0px 0px;
}

.ck_form, .ck_form * {
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
-moz-box-sizing: border-box;
box-sizing: border-box;
}

#ck_subscribe_form {
clear: both;
}

/* Element Queries — uses JS */

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
}

.ck_form.ck_vertical {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
overflow: hidden;
}

/* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */

@media all and (max-width: 499px) {

.ck_form {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
}

}

/* Content */

.ck_form_content h3 {
margin: 0px 0px 0px;
font-size: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}


.ck_form_content p {
font-size: 14px;
}

.ck_image {
float: left;
margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Form fields */

.ck_errorArea {
display: none;
}

#ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px;
border: solid 1px #ddd;
background: #eee;
}

.ck_label {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
}

.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
}

.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
padding: 14px 8px;
font-size: 18px;
background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by {
display: block;
color: #aaa;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover {
display: block;
color: #444;
}

.ck_converted_content {
display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
}


/* v6 */

.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}

5-Step Hack for Programming Creative Drums

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to write unique drum patterns using the rhythm of the bass.

Check out this Hack Music Theory video/podcast if you want to learn how to program unique drums that stand out from the crowd, by using creative rhythms taken from the bass line. I'll guide you through 5 easy steps for achieving this, and you can also download the multitrack MIDI file from the example in this video/podcast (if you want to access all the notes and have a play around).

Hope you dig, and if you want more theory hacks, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony – Victoria BC, Canada
Composer | Performer | Producer | Teacher

 
 

Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head over to your inbox now for your free download.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

 

“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
 DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK


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-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
-moz-box-sizing: border-box;
box-sizing: border-box;
}

#ck_subscribe_form {
clear: both;
}

/* Element Queries — uses JS */

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
}

.ck_form.ck_vertical {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
overflow: hidden;
}

/* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */

@media all and (max-width: 499px) {

.ck_form {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
}

}

/* Content */

.ck_form_content h3 {
margin: 0px 0px 0px;
font-size: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}


.ck_form_content p {
font-size: 14px;
}

.ck_image {
float: left;
margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Form fields */

.ck_errorArea {
display: none;
}

#ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px;
border: solid 1px #ddd;
background: #eee;
}

.ck_label {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
}

.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
}

.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
padding: 14px 8px;
font-size: 18px;
background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by {
display: block;
color: #aaa;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover {
display: block;
color: #444;
}

.ck_converted_content {
display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
}


/* v6 */

.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}

5 Steps for Writing Amazing Bass Lines

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to write an amazing bass line (that's way better than all those boring bass lines we hear in the charts all the time) for your chord progression.

Check out this Hack Music Theory video/podcast if you want to learn how to write powerful, captivating and memorable bass lines under your chord progressions. I'll guide you through 5 easy steps for achieving this, and you can also download the multitrack MIDI file from the example in this video/podcast (if you want to access all the notes and have a play around).

Hope you dig, and if you want more theory hacks, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony
Music Teacher
Victoria BC, Canada

 
 

Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head over to your inbox now for your free download.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

 

“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
 DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK


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.ck_form {
/* divider image */
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margin: 0px 0px;
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.ck_form, .ck_form * {
-webkit-box-sizing: border-box;
-moz-box-sizing: border-box;
box-sizing: border-box;
}

#ck_subscribe_form {
clear: both;
}

/* Element Queries — uses JS */

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
}

.ck_form.ck_vertical {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content, .ck_vertical .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_vertical .ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
overflow: hidden;
}

/* Trigger the vertical layout with media queries as well */

@media all and (max-width: 499px) {

.ck_form {
background: #fff;
}

.ck_form_content, .ck_form_fields {
padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
float: none;
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
}

}

/* Content */

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margin: 0px 0px 0px;
font-size: 0px;
padding: 0px;
}


.ck_form_content p {
font-size: 14px;
}

.ck_image {
float: left;
margin-right: 5px;
}

/* Form fields */

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display: none;
}

#ck_success_msg {
padding: 10px 10px 0px;
border: solid 1px #ddd;
background: #eee;
}

.ck_label {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: bold;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
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-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
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.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
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.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
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background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
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display: block;
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display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
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.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
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top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}

Write HEAVY Bass Lines Using the Harmonic Minor Scale

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to write HEAVY bass lines using the harmonic minor scale.

Check out this Hack Music Theory video/podcast if you're wanting to go heavier with your bass lines, and the natural minor scale (AKA Aeolian mode) just isn't giving you enough.

The harmonic minor scale is incredibly special (and ideal for heavy music!), because it has a rare three semitone interval between its sixth and seventh notes, which creates a huge amount of dissonance and tension, and therefore heaviness!

Lastly, you can download the multitrack MIDI file from the example in this video/podcast, if you want to access all the notes and have a play around.

Hope you dig, and if you want more theory hacks, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony
Music Teacher
Victoria BC, Canada

 
 

Wooohooo!!! You're a mere 30 minutes away from being even smarter than you already are. Just head over to your inbox now for your free download.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

 

“most brilliant, fast, easy & fun music theory book I’ve ever seen”  –DEREK SIVERS, CD Baby founder

 

We use this field to detect spam bots. If you fill this in, you will be marked as a spammer.
 DOWNLOAD FREE BOOK


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box-sizing: border-box;
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/* Element Queries — uses JS */

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width: 50%;
float: left;
padding: 5%;
}

.ck_form.ck_horizontal {
}

.ck_form_content {
border-bottom: none;
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background: #fff;
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padding: 10%;
width: 100%;
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Programming Unique Drums Using a Polymeter (5/16 over 4/4)

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to make unique drum patterns that stand out from the crowd.

Check out this Hack Music Theory video/podcast if you're tired of boring drums and want to learn how to program interesting patterns instead, using polymeters (two or more time signatures playing simultaneously). In this lesson we do a pumping 5/16 over 4/4 groove!

Hope you dig, and if you want more theory hacks, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF. Until next time, happy songwriting!

Ray Harmony
Music Teacher
Victoria BC, Canada

 
 

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How to Write Epic EDM Bass Drops in 7 Steps

Today on 3-Minute Theory: How to write an epic EDM bass drop in 7 steps!

If you’re an EDM producer, there’s nothing worse than giving your audience an epic build on the snare drum, then following that with a bass drop that consist of one note. No! Your audience deserves better, so let’s do this...

But first, click the cube pic below if you want to download the PDF bundle for this lesson, which includes:

7-page neatly structured step-by-step PDF guide, with MIDI screenshots Multitrack MIDI file, allowing you to access all the notes in the example Mixed WAV file (listen at 3:36 in Video/Podcast) to showcase the example's final version

[image error]

Alright, so we’re at 90 bpm, which is a mega groovy tempo and one of my favourites. Bass drops are all about bass and drums, so we’ve got those tracks set up and ready to go. We’re gonna do a two-bar (AKA two-measure) bass drop, so it doesn’t get boring.

STEP 1: DRUMS

We’re gonna start with the drums, so let’s get the snare in on the back beats, which are beats 2 and 4 of each bar. Then we’re gonna get the kick in on beat 1 of both bars. This is James Brown’s “the one” technique, where the rhythm section (i.e. bass & drums) locks in on the 1st beat of every bar, but then they can do whatever they want for the rest of each bar. This method keeps the groove going and makes it danceable, too. Next, we put in the hi-hats on every quarter note, except in the beginning of the 2nd bar, where we spice it up by adding a hi-hat on the 1+ (pronounced “one and”), which gives the pattern some movement. On that note (excuse the pun), eighth notes are counted as: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +.

Now, this is the important bit, we’re gonna do some syncopation on the kick. We’re gonna add in a kick drum on the 2+, which gives it a funky syncopated groove. Then in the second bar we’ll do the same thing, i.e. a kick on the 2+, but this time with an extra syncopated kick just before it, on the 2e (pronounced “two ee”, and represents the very next sixteenth note after beat 2). Also, let’s add a kick on the 3+, which will give extra momentum into the very last snare drum. By the way, sixteenth notes are counted as: 1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a. Drums are done!

[image error]Figure 1: Drum pattern for our bass drop, where C2 is the kick, E2 is the snare, and G♯2 is the hi-hat

STEP 2: SCALE

Oooh yeah, you know what time it is now? It’s bass o’clock! So let’s get to it. We’re going to use the blues scale, but you can use any scale for a bass drop. I like the blues scale because it’s super funky. To get the blues scale, just start on any note (this will be your root note), then go three semitones up, then go two semitones up, then go one semitone up, then go another one semitone up, then go three semitones up and you’re done. If you wanna learn more about writing bass lines using the blues scale, please download my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF, the link is below.

RevolutionHarmony.com/Books

[image error]Figure 2: F♯ Blues scale (F♯, A, B, C, C♯, E), which we’re going to use to write our bass drop

STEP 3: KICKS

Talking about low, we’re using F♯ as our root note because it’s nice and low, good for EDM, and here’s the F♯ Blues scale: F♯, A, B, C, C♯, E (the spelling is 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7). So, now we just map out the kick drum pattern in our bass track, using our root note, F♯.

[image error]Figure 3: Kick drum pattern programmed in the bass track, using the root note (i.e. F♯)

This is the starting point for our bass line. After this, we just move these “kick notes” to other notes in the scale. I’m hearing the last three notes being that funky trio of notes I’m always talking about (i.e. 1, ♭3, ♭7), which is a characteristic element of funk and many other genre’s groovy bass lines. We should keep those notes on “the one” in both bars on F♯ (the root note) for extra punch. Then let’s move the other bass note in bar one (on beat 2+) up to A, i.e. the ♭3.

[image error]Figure 4: “Kick notes” moved to other notes in the blues scale (i.e. the funky trio of notes: 1, ♭3, ♭7)

STEP 4: MOTIFS

Now we literally just fill in the gaps, so let’s start from the beginning. We can go up from the root to the ♭5, then up to the 5, down to the 4, back up to the ♭5 again, and end this little run on the ♭3. This is a great little motif that makes the most of the blues scale, and its “blue note” (i.e. the ♭5). When writing for bass, before we get to the fancy synth sounds, we want to be totally focused on writing a great melody, and part of this is hunting for great motifs to repeat. Reusing a great motif will create both familiarity and structure to your melody, while also making it catchy. So, let’s repeat that exact motif (♭5→5→4→♭5→♭3), starting on beat 3+ this time. But, you see those last three notes of that motif that are now over beat 4, let’s do some magic on ‘em!

STEP 5: TRIPLETS

Change the MIDI grid to eighth notes triplets, because every good bass drop needs some “wub wub wub” triplets, right? So, we’re gonna adjust their timing to fit the triplet grid, and now we have that same 4→♭5→♭3 (i.e. B→C→A) motif repeated, but in triplets the second time around, which gives the illusion of the bass line slowing down. Wub wub wub!!!

[image error]Figure 5: The 4→♭5→♭3 motif repeated as triplets the second time around (please note, this grid is in triplets)

STEP 6: VARIATION

Put the MIDI grid back to ‘sixteenth’ and ‘straight’, and we’re ready for the second half of our bass drop. From the root on “the one” of our second bar, let’s go up to the ♭5 again, like we did in the beginning, but a sixteenth note later this time, for variation (too much repetition gets boring real quick, so use your second bar to write a melody that flows from the first bar, but is completely fresh and alive with variation). Also, this gives us a really cool descending line ♭5→♭3→1, then we can do a little sequence of that starting on the ♭3, so we get ♭3→1→♭7. We’re now at the lowest part of the melody (i.e. E), so let’s climb our way up again, by reversing the ♭5→♭3→1 motif, which gives us 1→♭3→♭5. Finally, I’m just going to return to the first bar, and add a ♭3 in between those two repeated motifs for variation and extra flow, and we’re done!

[image error]Figure 6: Final bass line, before separating it out onto different tracks with different synths

STEP 7: SPREAD

Now that we have a great melody, it’s time to add some sonic sugar in the way of tasty synths. So have some fun chopping this bass line up into segments, and spreading ‘em out over a bunch of different tracks with a bunch of different synth sounds, and you get this (listen at 3:36 in Video/Podcast):

[image error]Figure 7: Final bass line chopped up and separated out over five different synth, to add sonic texture

NEED MORE HELP? If you need more help writing bass lines, read the Melody Checklist in my Hack Music Theory for Songwriting & Producing PDF, it’s the ultimate hack for writing great melodies.

Ray Harmony
Music Teacher
Victoria BC, Canada

 
 

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width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-top: 40px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="email"] {
font-size: 16px;
padding: 14px 8px;
width: 100%;
border: 1px solid #d6d6d6; /* stroke */
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
background-color: #fff; /* layer fill content */
margin-bottom: 5px;
height: auto;
}

.ck_form input[type="text"]:focus, .ck_form input[type="email"]:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #aaa;
}

.ck_checkbox {
padding: 10px 0px 10px 20px;
display: block;
clear: both;
}

.ck_checkbox input.optIn {
margin-left: -20px;
margin-top: 0;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt {
margin-left: 4px;
}
.ck_form .ck_opt_in_prompt p {
display: inline;
}

.ck_form .ck_subscribe_button {
width: 100%;
color: #fff;
margin: 10px 0px 0px;
padding: 14px 8px;
font-size: 18px;
background: #d74128;
-moz-border-radius: 4px;
-webkit-border-radius: 4px;
border-radius: 4px; /* border radius */
cursor: pointer;
border: none;
text-shadow: none;
}


.ck_form .ck_guarantee {
color: #626262;
font-size: 12px;
text-align: center;
padding: 5px 0px;
display: block;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by {
display: block;
color: #aaa;
}

.ck_form .ck_powered_by:hover {
display: block;
color: #444;
}

.ck_converted_content {
display: none;
padding: 5%;
background: #fff;
}


/* v6 */

.ck_form_v6 #ck_success_msg {
padding: 0px 10px;
}

@media all and (max-width: 403px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 30px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 404px) and (max-width: 499px) {
.ck_form_v6.ck_modal .ck_close_link {
top: 57px;
}
}