Rated Htr's Thread, for Gab's Army |
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...the thing is, I need you to start progressing faster then ever, but to achieve that I need your help:
* Don't know where to start? Just pm me and we will sort it out directly, I am online every day.
* Join My Army. Sounds aggressive? It is! We can study anything from the most fearsome picking techniques to bombastic songwriting. A medal of honor awaits the brave. Seriously, this is an opportunity for you to get a personalised learning experience...what are you waiting for?!
* Join my next video chat! GMC startpage holds a video chat schedule. We always cover a lot of ground and have fun. Remember that you don't need any previous knowledge, and you can be passive in the chat.
* Jam with me - you will find active collabs here.
* Post a topic on this board, guitar related or not - doesn't matter! You will find that chatting with instructors boosts your motivation to practice.
* You haven't missed my latest video lessons, have you?
* Finally I want to tell you a secret. Nah I changed my mind - pm me instead ;)
Rated Htr's Thread, for Gab's Army |
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Oct 3 2014, 02:06 PM |
Hello Filipe! Welcome to out thread for Gab's Army. As we discussed via PM, here we will work on developing your composition skills. Composition is related to creation and creativity, there is some magic happening there, but this are also topics that can be trained as a guitar technique, but the cool side is that the possibilities are endless.
I will copy here your message to have it as reference: "I want to train my songwriting and style approaches. I want to learn more about certain elements of certain bands, how to portrait and analyze them. I already have a good theory background, just need to have the proper method and break free from the chains if you know what i mean" At first I would like to share with you three methods that really work for me, tell me what you think and share with me which methods you tried to compose music... Mode 1: Ideas library In this mode I compose a melody or short idea that works as the release of a song. - I search for a place that is not where I usually work or practice. A different place, that gets me out from distractions. I took a guitar that helps me to play along with my voice, if possible a guitar that I don't use very often. - I start creating melodies with my voice over some progressions being played on guitar. - Every time I heard something that I like, I record it to avoid forgetting the idea. I use my cellphone for it. - In this way I create my library of ideas. - Organize this ideas on different folders using different criteria to being able to find them later when you need an specific feeling. Pros of this method: - Ideas totally genuine and original, that comes from our own personality. Quality. - Big amount of ideas. Quantity. - I start the song from its "soul". - It's soul is clear at first. Cons of this one: - Sometimes it's tricky to develop the idea to get a the song completed. Mode 2: Sculptor technique Using a software that allows me to record multitrack audio I start to accumulate ideas in different layers. Each new idea suggests the next one. After many layers I get something similar to the virgin wood that a sculptor has before he starts working on it to get the final shape. In this method, I believe that starting with not very outstanding ideas, I can get stuff that wouldn't have appeared if I wouldn't have done the whole process of recording layers and layers. Another way to define this second mode is as a summation of unclear ideas that give shape to a song. ----------------------------------------------- Modes 1 and 2 can be inpired by: - Situation of life: feeling, love, anger. - Reading, a book, an article, newspaper. - Song, album, show. - Video clip, movie. Tricks to avoid repeating the similar ideas: - Using an instrument that you don't know how to play the chord, scale, etc. This avoids you to play the same things over and over. You will try different combination of notes. - Using your voice instead of your instrument. Mode 3: Direct inspiration (Analysis - Re-creation) - I analyze many songs, compare them and then write down a list of concepts and criteria that work on a music style and use them / re-create them to compose new music. Pros: - This method is very effective when you need to create music on a specific style. This usually happens when you have to compose as a job. - Fast high quality composition. It's a very fluently and fluid method. - You can get genuine music if you re-create the concepts learnt. This post has been edited by Gabriel Leopardi: Oct 6 2014, 01:39 PM -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 3 2014, 05:29 PM |
Hey Gab, thanks again for having me. So, using one or more of these approaches, you want me to get an idea going and than share it with you? On the first approach, do you take an electric guitar or just a plain accoustic guitar? I already have a spot in mind, if that's the case yes, that's the task. When I decide to force it, I take my acoustic guitar. When this happens naturally I use what I have closer, sometimes just my voice and my cellphone. In parallel, some song analysis could be also a good idea. Could you please share here some songs that you like? -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 3 2014, 07:58 PM |
Very interesting stuff. I used some kind of template to analyze music that helps me to get the most used ideas, concepts and tricks in my favorite music. I make a table with 3 columns. This columns say: Structure, What's happening? (arrangements) and Scales and chord progressions (Theory). I first write down the structure, and then start analyzing the arrangements and theory of each section. This method is connected to my mode 3 of composing, but it is a great background to composition in general. You will incorporate the most used ideas in your favorite music.
The bands that you shared are very rich musically, and in the case of Haken, the structure is more advanced because they are progressive and the songs are usually long, so maybe you could start with one of the other songs, but feel free to start with the one that you prefer. -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 4 2014, 02:51 PM |
Hi mate, congrats on this video! The analysis is brilliant. That's exactly how I would suggest to do it, combining structure, arrangements and progressions /scales used. Every single song will give you important characteristics of the composer that will let you understand their music. Be sure that, if you analyze 4 or 5 more songs of this band you will be able to combine the most significant concepts and create a lesson in their style (like I usually do). You can also keep those ideas, chord combinations, arrangements ideas or structure section for your future compositions. Being able to see the music in this way, as an overall, is like being the musician and the producer at the same time. That's how I work with my band, and everything I do.
It's good to keep the notes that you wrote here in a notepad for future checking and also remember some details about this song: - It has a normal "pop" "rock" song structure. - The use of modulation between intro + verse and p`re-chorus + chorus is very interesting. Check out the intervals distance between each tonality and keep it as a possible modulation for your compositions. - There is a rhythm pattern used as the heart beat of the song. A good song doesn't need lots of rhythm ideas, if you want it to be catchy. - Guitars are used more for rhythm and keys for melodies and high arrangements. This is an stylistic decision. It's awesome how many things we can learn by analyzing a song, great job!! -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 4 2014, 06:19 PM |
Hey Gab, thank you for the feedback, I'll get a notepad just for brain storming than .
Here's a video regarding mode 1 of your approach. Just in case I was confusing in the video, I think my overall problem is building the arrangement and not the riffs or structure itself hence probably why I presented songs with such rich compositions. As a side note, I'm training the intervals etude by Cosmin and started working on the Phrase Book: pre-bends by Ben today as you suggested. If all goes well, I should have a take of the latter one for tomorrow . As well, I was browsing my old soundcloud and have a couple of old ideas that I never turned into fully fledged songs. One of them I didn't get to record as well but i uploaded the midi version I tabbed from guitar pro. https://soundcloud.com/filipe-rocha-4/dream...di-demo/s-Je1ND Idea: wanted to make a djenty song but felt I lacked the skills to understand the layer composition and drum work. https://soundcloud.com/filipe-rocha-4/youre...ble-raw/s-0H3xT idea: Inspired in Skillet and Three Days Grace, a standard rock song. This post has been edited by Rated Htr: Oct 4 2014, 11:55 PM -------------------- Currently Practicing
Rhythm: Finnish Power Metal III: Nightwish Legato: Ben's Land Of Legato Alternate Picking: Alternate Picking Workout #5 Chords: Chord Melody Technique |
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Oct 5 2014, 11:10 PM |
Hi mate! GREAT stuff! I really enjoyed your idea on the video. I can say that you already have the soul of your song, which is not a small thing. Now, it's time to work on the arrangements and other instruments. The possibilities are limitless so now it's time to take some decisions:
- Style direction - Tempo - Instruments to be used - Instrumental song or song with lyrics? - Structure Also, I was wondering, do you have any daw to record drums, bass and other instruments? What do you use? -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 6 2014, 01:09 PM |
Cool, let's go for Sonata as a reference to produce this song. Remember that this is just the soul of the song, then you will be able to create riffs and things like that if the musical direction that you decide to use requires it.
In the case of this idea, it's a very melodic song, that seems to be suitable for a ballad, but let me say that I can imagine an ultra fast drum rhythm over this one and some synth creating melodic arrangements...... Ballad direction: Power direction: Where you'd like to go? -------------------- My lessons
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Oct 6 2014, 01:39 PM |
Yes, that's the idea. There are many possible ways to continue now but this is what I usually do to let the things start happening.
- I record a simple drum loop based on the groove that I will use. In this case you can go for "My land"'s rhythm and loop it. - I record the chords, very simple (Sonata or punk style), just to have the progression happening there. - Sometimes I also record the vocal melody. - If it's possible I get the whole structure in this way, if not, I start with intro, and then see what happens. - Once I feel that I can't continue the song, I start arranging the parts. Try more interesting guitar riffs, lines, ideas, synth, rhythm variations that then can be followed by the drums. It's very important to let the things happen, instead of blocking with thoughts like: this is not very interesting, this is so simple, this is not original, this is weak, just record it, and then, record another idea over it, use many layers, applying a bit the second mode of my composing modes (sculptor). -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 7 2014, 12:25 AM |
Hi mate! It's really cool to see how the song is starting to take shape! The structure fits perfect with this progressions and melodies. The next step would be to record the key solo section, copy there the last pre and choruses and then work on the outro. There can also be a variation in the last pre-verse, you could make it longer, or something, it can be also a variation in instruments and arrangements. Then we will see.
By now, focus on finish the basic structure and then start polishing each section, record keyboards, bass, more precise guitar arrangements, drum fills and let's see how it evolves. You are doing a very good job! -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 7 2014, 01:59 PM |
Ok Gab, here's an update.
I haven't added other instruments yet because I was busy developing the full song structure which I've just finished and I must say, it turned out a lot different than what I expected. Structure: Clean Intro Intro Verse Bridge (aka Main Melody Riff that is used a load of times) Verse II Bridge Chorus Bridge w/ Variation Solo Intro (Modulation) Verse III Bridge Chorus (Back to original key) Bridge Break Section Verse IV Bridge Intro Riff Variation for quick solo Break Section II Clean Guitar Strumming Bridge Chorus (Modulation) Bridge Ending Until_It_s_Paid__Guitar_and_Drums_Only_.mp3 ( 7.05MB ) Number of downloads: 333 Seems a lot, so if you have a better way for me to name it, It would help Anyways, let me know what you think. Some things still need polish and I barely changed the drums, just did cuts to suit my structure a bit more. I'm gonna play around with the other instruments after this. Cheers -------------------- Currently Practicing
Rhythm: Finnish Power Metal III: Nightwish Legato: Ben's Land Of Legato Alternate Picking: Alternate Picking Workout #5 Chords: Chord Melody Technique |
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Oct 7 2014, 03:51 PM |
Hi mate! It's cool to see how this one get shape! I think that you created many parts and variations for this one. I not totally convinced of some modulations and some groove changes, but the best is to polish the structure and section then, as I said, "cleaning after" instead of "blocking before". For this reason, I think that the best would be to continue working on arrangements, and on making the connections between parts smoother.
Next steps: - Record a voice with melodies as reference. - Work a bit more on the drum grooves, and the fills that take from one part to the other. - I can't hear the bass, I notice that there is something there but very low. Please equalize the bass and increase frequencies on 1.5 Khz or/and 2.5khz, to make it more present, and maybe put it higher. - Add keyboards. - Polish guitar arrangements, and make some riffs (mostly from the break sections) more interesting. And also, please put the time for each part on the structure to let me follow the structure better. -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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Oct 8 2014, 02:27 PM |
Hey Gab , here's an update.
I decided to cut some sections off and make the arrangement simpler. I recorded everything again until the chorus. I don't know where my microphone is atm so I recorded the vocal line with a guitar patch. Regarding the bass, I know why you couldn't hear it. Because it wasn't there the bass frequencies where from the guitar probably . Right now here are two mp3s for you to check it out. One with the vox line and one without it for you to hear the arrangement better. Until_It_s_Paid__Till_Chorus__w__Vocal_Line.mp3 ( 1.8MB ) Number of downloads: 231 Until_It_s_Paid__Till_Chorus__no_Vox.mp3 ( 1.8MB ) Number of downloads: 272 Structure is probably going to be: Intro Verse Bridge Verse II Bridge Chorus (with the bridge to tie up at the end) Solo Verse III Bridge Chorus Break Section Verse IV Bridge Chorus (Modulation) <- Have to find a better way to tie the riffs together to make the transition, despite it being a cliche. And that's it. Let me know what you think -------------------- Currently Practicing
Rhythm: Finnish Power Metal III: Nightwish Legato: Ben's Land Of Legato Alternate Picking: Alternate Picking Workout #5 Chords: Chord Melody Technique |
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Oct 8 2014, 04:00 PM |
hehehe now it is starting to become very enjoyable to listen! and also, I understand why I couldn't hear the bass!! haha
The guitar arrangements, the keys and the vocal line are sounding really cool. I can say that this one can be a top level Power Metal song! Now that we have the vocal melody I feel that the tempo is a bit low, but this is not necessary to fix it yet. Do you have a bass guitar or a vsti to record bass? If not, try Trillian, it's great. Adding bass will make the whole mix sound fuller and more defined, and it will give you more place to experiment a bit more with guitar arrangements. So, this first section is great, please continue polishing the following parts to see how the breaks and solos start to take shape. You are doing a killer work man. Do you have previous experience composing complete power metal songs? -------------------- My lessons
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