A Mode is a type of scale created by establishing a new tonic within a preexisting scale. To create a mode establish a new tonic on one of the notes other than root. Using modes in creating a melody will influence the mood and emotion of the music. Here are the Scales Modes starting with the ionian mode.
This mode starts on the 1st note of the major scale. So in fact this is the major scale.
Mood: Happy, bright, triumphant.
Scale Type: Major (more…)
At the heart of every song is the melody. The melody is a mix of tones and rhythmic patterns. In order to create a melody there needs to be a musical scale. The scale for the songwriter is like the pallet for the painter. The painter has on the pallet various paint colors that can be mixed to create new colors that are added to the canvas to render a picture.
Think of the music scale as the raw material for a melody. The music scale is the basis for all musical theory. (more…)
There is a universal love for music built into the soul of mankind. From the very day we are born to the day we die, music surrounds our lives. Music is a universal language that affects the way we act or feel. As a music composer, it is important to understand the fundamental elements that make music. To get understanding, there are three key elements that make music what it is. These elements include: (more…)
Learning to write music is nowhere near as hard as learning to write English. Anybody can learn to write music if they have the interest, desire or need. As you learn to write rhythm, write melody and write chords, you are writing music like you write your native language. Then you have the language to write for, compose music and arrange music for saxophones, wind instruments, brass, strings, rhythm section and orchestral instruments.
If you want. You can transpose what you hear and write music down like you’d write down a phone number. One of the best things about being able to write music is being able to write for instruments that you hear playing in your song that you can not play. You simply write music for them and they play for you.
The easiest way to get dozens of musicians to play what you want in two takes is to write music you want them to specifically play. Your musicians will love you. And so too will your listeners and fans. Writing music means people will pay you to arrange and produce their music.
In this post we will explore six building blocks for superior music composition. Each element builds on the other. As well as each depends on the other. To forget or miss one of these elements will result in less than satisfactory results. To get started we will look at the element of time.
Music is an art form that is based and exists in time. When a piece of music is performed it passes through time. The structure of music is built on the stage of time. As such, the musical form measurements are divided into many sequential events.
Just like a ruler with feet and inches, time can be split into individual units of measurements. This concept creates a System of Measurement of different lengths of tones. And a rhythmic condition is clearly defined. Think of time as a canvas. Drawn on this canvas is musical melody lines. (more…)
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With the publication of several rhyming dictionaries, it is safe to say that almost anybody can use such tools to create lyric phrases that are technically correct. The danger inherent in the use of tools such as these is your lyrics may end up trite and predictable. Conversely, sometimes a rhyming dictionary can be useful in breaking the ‘logjam’ that we all run into when songwriting.
