Channel: Hack Music Theory

Category: Education

Tags: how to start off writing a songhow to write a songhack music theory drumshow to write songshow to start a songstarting a new songsteps to writing a songwriting a songsongwriting tipshow to write a song without an instrumenthow to start writing a songhow to write a song using music theoryhack music theoryhow to write a song for beginners

Description: Are you suffering from Writer’s Block, or do you simply waste a lot of time when starting a new song? Then learn how to write a song like a pro, with this new series! Subtitles/CC available. ►Free eBook: HackMusicTheory.com/Books ►Online Course: HackMusicTheory.com/Apprenticeship ►Songwriting & Producing PDF: HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers THIS SERIES ►Episode 2 (Bass): youtube.com/watch?v=uzR0vHvjMvI ►Episode 3 (Chords): youtube.com/watch?v=lKUz-a4eSfk RELATED VIDEOS ►Give Writer’s Block the Finger: youtube.com/watch?v=ZUpxdASz77A ►Odd Time Signatures: youtube.com/watch?v=bTkhr2HmDmo ►How to Spice Up 4/4: youtube.com/watch?v=POWXv42gDsM When you sit down to start writing a new song, do you find yourself staring at a blank screen for a while, only to end up scrolling through your feed? If so, then this series will get your new song started now, by turbocharging your workflow! INTRO One of the most common obstacles to overcome as a songwriter or producer, is where to start. This is a huge issue, cos most music makers waste a ton of time when starting new songs. Just imagine how many more songs you could write if you didn’t waste all that time! So, while there are obviously many ways to start, the following 3 steps can always be counted on to get you up and running in minutes. Alright, it’s time to open your DAW to hack music theory. But first… tea! STEP 1. TEMPO First things first. You need to decide on how fast or slow you want your new song to be. I encourage you to close your eyes and move to the heartbeat of your unborn song. This takes some practice, but you’ll eventually get to the point where you can even dance to your unwritten music. For now though, you could just pick a song you’ve been digging recently, then go to a song BPM website to find out its tempo, and then simply input that BPM into your DAW. STEP 2. TIME Next, you wanna decide on your time signature. Most songs are in 4/4, so we’ll stick with that for now. If you want something odd though, then check out our lesson on odd time signatures (linked above). Now, just cos you’re in 4/4, doesn’t mean it has to be boring. There are many ways to spice up 4/4, and we’ve done a lesson on that too (which is also linked above), but here I’m using 1/16 note triplets. STEP 3. DRUMS Finally, it’s time to get to the music making, and starting with a drum groove will give you instant inspiration, while also creating the feel that will underpin your song. So, start with your kick and snare, then add cymbals afterwards. Most kick and snare patterns these days are pretty simple, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, cos that leaves space for the other instruments. But, be sure to do something interesting with your cymbals. And writing an irregular pattern, like I’ve done here on the hats, is a great way to make your drum groove really interesting, without being too busy. PS The example in this lesson is actually from Ray's new song, which he wrote yesterday while taking notes on the process, so we can share the workflow with you in this new series. So stay tuned for next week, when you’ll learn how your drum groove will now start writing your bass line for you! --- ABOUT Hack Music Theory is a pioneering method for making great music that stands out, so you can move and grow your audience! Taught by award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony and his protégé wife Kate Harmony, from their home studio in Vancouver, Canada. Ray has been teaching music theory for 24 years, and along the way he's made music with Serj Tankian (System Of A Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members) and many more! Hack Music Theory teaches relevant and instantly-usable music theory for producers, DAW users, and all other music makers (songwriters, singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, etc.) in all genres, from EDM to R&B, pop to hip-hop, reggae to rock, electronic to metal (and yes, we djefinitely djent!). MUSIC ►RayHarmony.com ►KateHarmony.com COPYRIGHT © 2019 Revolution Harmony Revolution Harmony is Ray Harmony & Kate Harmony All content (script & music) in video by Revolution Harmony