Hi! Any one know any sites with articles about sound/music contruction/theory? I''m not talk about music theory (learning music...) but how to compose, for example... I also want know if you want some sites about sound equalization,ambient,normalization.. etc etc.. thanks and bye!

This might sound odd, but to be honest -- all you need is a very little bit of music theory to write music. I wouldn't recommend looking up "how to write music" or something like that simply because you compose in different styles differently, and no one can really teach you "how to write music." Most peoples approaches to composition are different and while music theory isn't carved in stone, actualy music construction is even less -- much less. I know that's not what you're looking for, but it really is the best advice that I can give (if you even call it advice). It's something you have to learn on your own.

The only things you really should think of when you first start to write music is stick to a scale (I'm not talking about not having key changes, but if you're in a scale for a phrase, don't be throwing in notes that aren't in the scale unless you're sure you know what you're doing). Other than that, just know that most chords are based around thirds, and try to avoid parallel motion (mainly just 5ths). That's probably the biggest way to pick out an amateur, they many times transpose whole chords when they could use inversions or different chords entirely.

That's really it! Experiment!

[edited by - Matt Calabrese on October 11, 2002 12:25:33 AM]

quote: Original post by KammutierSpule
I''m not talk about music theory (learning music...) but how to compose, for example...

I think you''re mistaken... composition is all about music theory. You take the theory, apply it to what you want to create, and then work within that framework.

If you want to be able to write in a certain style, you need to appreciate the various aspects that style uses.

For example, most classical/baroque era stuff will use the harmonic minor and the relative major, tend towards perfect/imperfect/plagal cadences, have a fairly basic rhythm.

Whereas if you wanted to write death metal, you''d want to look at the natural minor scale with occasional modulations to the phyrgian mode, heavily syncopated rhythms, extended use of stacatto pedal points, very high tempos, and so on.

The benefit of me knowing some music theory is that I can hear a piece of music in any style, mentally classify what I hear, and use those classifications to reproduce it. Without that, it''s all trial and error.

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quote: Original post by Kylotan
For example, most classical/baroque era stuff will use the harmonic minor and the relative major, tend towards perfect/imperfect/plagal cadences, have a fairly basic rhythm.

well thats that what I want.. something talking about classical/baroque era... and the scales used... cadences etc etc..

I only know basic music theory (like, some of basic scales (major,minor) and chords... and some other stuff related... and how to construct theam)

bye and thanks all for your advices

Hello there

I was reading this discussion and i just feel i need to say something about this!

Many people (probably quite a few in this messboard anyway) approach music composition way to "logicall"!
You can read all the music theory in the world, but that will _not_ make you a good musician!

Too many people are to nearsited concerning this matter.
If you are tallanted enaugh to make a living outof music (ei game musician etc) you can make music in any style using only your creativity and music-ear to create, or recreate the msuic style needed for a project/game, in any music style. You dont say "hmm.. i better get a book about how to compose this style".. you just use your musicall tallent.

So many _great_ artists dont even know how to write notes... and dont know any "scales" (like ABBA for example.. they wrote music by ear)

Thats my view anyway. not saying anyone is totally wrong.

quote: Original post by Marcuz
You can read all the music theory in the world, but that will _not_ make you a good musician!

But it''ll help more than not knowing theory.

well....

maybe one of may most problems is the inspiration...

I can''t get a way of become inspirated...

somre times I have an idea for a music but I dont have my PC nor paper to write the chods/rithm

other big problems is that whem I listem some music I fell very influenced by theam and I can''t escape to their structe...



bye,
KammutierSpule

quote: Original post by Marcuz

If you are tallanted enaugh to make a living outof music (ei game musician etc) you can make music in any style using only your creativity and music-ear to create, or recreate the msuic style needed for a project/game, in any music style.

I disagree.

First, the more theory you know, the more you can listen to good music and interpret what the composer was doing to make the piece sound good. There are reasons as to why any sort of music works which is why you have music theory in the first place. Like any good theory, when put into practice, it works.

Second, since I’m not a spiritual person, I do not believe there is a supernatural reason as to why music works, hence I believe it is based in science be it psychological or simply the physics of sound itself. I also do not believe in “talent” meaning I do believe that anyone given enough dedication, practice, and exposure to great music can be a great musician.

With this in mind, I suggest to anyone wanting to be a composer to start listening to masterful works (pieces of music) in all fields. Not just classical music, but all sorts of music that has been developed for hundreds of years across a multitude of cultures and nationalities can teach a lot about music if you know where to look (which is where the theory comes in).

well... that''s an interesting discussion

I don''t mean you''re wrong, Sil & Kylotan, but I think it depends on the kind of music you want to create.
I''ve been making electronical (and not only techno) music for a while now, and I don''t know much about music theory. Many people tell me that they like my music, and many people don''t... just a question of taste.
But I''m not able to create Classical music, for example. Theory will help a lot here, you''re right (and maybe not only classical music).
In fact, music is not only good harmonics, chords, etc... but also chaining up, the way several peaces are sequenced, connected... (I don''t know if this correct english). And here comes the need of inspiration...

KammutierSpule, I think you have to be moody (like I read in another post). Artists are moody (just like painters). If you want to make something good, you have to be inspired.
As far as I''m concerned, I feel inspired when I''m tired after a long day...
All I can advise you, KammutierSpuler, is to listen to music you like best. And listen carefully to all the different sounds, and all the other things, the way they are chained up...

Finally, as computer music programs are going more and more powerful, it''ll become easy to create nice chords or use major, minor, or whatever...

But it''s all about creativy, and music-ear...
That''s what I think...
Have fun...

I agree with both points of view, which is sort of what I was getting at in my first post. You should probably know and understand basic music theory to compose. It''s not necissary, but it helps. When I, personally, compose, I don''t really think about music theory much at all. You just sort of "know where to go." It is all based on logic and your understanding of "what makes music work," but for the most part, that''s all subconscious. A basic understanding of what intervals cause discourse, how to vary your chord structures, etc. is all that you really need. While more in depth music theory helps, it''s mostly used to analyze your music after you write it than to aid you during the composition process (at least in my experience). You may want to further study what common elements are to particular styles to better emulate that style in your own compositions. However, I highly recommend you write in your own style first.

I think what Marcuz was getting at wasn''t that music is "supernaturally influenced," but that you shouldn''t have to think about music theory to write it. Music theory is a very abstract concept. It''s all based around what most people think "sounds good." While a lot of it can be backed by mathematical relationships between frequencies, etc. it''s still just based around a general opinion of what "sounds right." When you compose, you shouldn''t really have to think of music theory because of that simple reason. It''s all just an opinion. A good composer has a sense of what sounds good and what doesn''t. Music theory is really just an attempt at an explanation of how songs progress, which intervals evoke which emotions, how scales are related, etc. It serves more as a backing than basis for composition. If you are overly concerned with music theory as you compose, you''ll only find yourself spending a lot of time deriving what you should really already be able to do by ear without really thinking about it. Once again, this is because music theory goes back to a general opinion of most people.

So, sure, composition is rooted in music theory, but music theory isn''t really a concrete science. It''s just an abstract concept based around the opinions of most people. It''s not something you have to deeply study in order to compose incredible scores, though it does help. As you get more experienced, you should continue studying music theory, but it will never be a "Composing For Dummies" book. Most of the music you compose should be based around your opinion of just what sounds good and where you think your music should go. After all, that''s really what music theory is. It''s completely subjective.