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+--- Thread: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" (/thread-4751.html)
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How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
I use mixcraft 6, and pretty good at it, however, i'm a novice composer.
so this is the track in question(thusly named as "Psynecerions Arise, unleash your Primal Rage): https://app.box.com/s/aln2pu72n4tnn1i41gjh
I was told by Metal Renard something about musical phrasing, I never heard this before and I don't know how to do so.
I also do not know the structure of typical battle music, but I do know it involves an Intro, a Bridge and a Chorus, my song above contains all of these.
please, I want to create good battle theme/music. I need to know how.
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - MetalRenard - 07-29-2013
WARNING this is a long post with lots of information and analysis. It might take a bit of work to absorb it all so take your time.
It was DerVVulfman who said something about phrases in your music. :)
Analysis
I'm going to start with analysis of another song to show you what to look for when you make your own stuff. After that, I'll talk specifically about your track.
A buddy of mine on Newgrounds provides us with a great example of continuity despite having very different sections in his song:
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/544290
Do not compare his work to your own, he's an experienced composer with very good tools (EWQL specifically, they charge hundreds of $ per piece of software). I'm showing you simply from the perspective of composition and arrangement.
What do you notice about his approach to writing music that's specific to this case? I'll tell you and highlight key words you may want to learn more about later...
a) He builds on each section within itself so even before a change there has already been progression, therefore the change is to be expected. Music is all about creating expectations and following through or not following through with them. Progression, evolution, expectation.
b) He gives himself a lot of tools to work with - different melodies playing at any one time to compliment each other as well as a rhythm. Polyphony, musical complexity.
c) He works on transitions between each part of his song so they flow from one to the other. Transitions.
Bringing it back around
Now the reason DerVVulfman feels each section is a separate song to be built upon
is because of those three aspects.
Your ideas are solid, they work, don't worry about what you've already done. On top of that you're young and you haven't done this much yet so it's completely 100% normal! We've all got to start somewhere so don't ever be down on yourself even if you read criticism. Especially here on SP, we like to help, not rub people's noses in the dirt. :)
Solution time! What you need to do is give yourself these tools to work with! Start a new project and think about the ideas I'm offering you when you write something.
Step 1: Building a foundation
You need to have something that is consistent throughout your music. This can be a melody, backing, rhythm, drum beat, you name it... So, in your song how about if you introduce an extra element that can play this roll? You have one in the intro but it disappears after!
Try and introduce, for example, a bass-line riff. I'm sure you've heard of those before, riffs are small patterns played over and over by an instrument such as a guitar or bass. They help create structure and continuity as well as a foundation for the rest of the music.
At first, keep it simple! Have this bass play one note per bar but with a consistent rhythm.
Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdArYKpnkKc (example is my own work but simply because I know them well and it's easy to find examples in them).
Listen to the bass, it plays the same note over and over but in a rhythm. It supports the track by providing a foundation.
Step 2: Learn your instruments
We'll talk about this later once you've mastered step 1! I'll continue to help you in this way if you like. :)
EDIT:
If you want me to continue I'll make a thread with a full-blown tutorial on getting started with composition. I feel like writing one. :)
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
yea, I understand, hmm.
although i do know my instruments, as I've spent many months figuring which instruments are good for my needs
and I have a good idea of the sounds of music, since i even listen to battl music/boss theme even as I drift to sleep.
What i get what your saying is, i should build a riff which will be the skeleton of my song and build the leads and everything else around that skeleton, and kinda do that transition thing, where your moving across country and gradually notice the change between forest and mountains.
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Yin - 07-29-2013
I thought the song was pretty cool.. I particularly like the variations and the last version of it. It could use better instruments though unless you are going for that old school style of VG instruments.
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
I only HAVE Mixcraft 6.
unless you can reccommend m a good digital music making program that's free (or one i can find a keygen for)
then that's the bet i can make of it.
but hey old-style's good too.
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - MetalRenard - 07-29-2013
Try MuLab if you like, it has some free stuff.
Otherwise you can look for free virtual instruments with google.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Free+virtual+instrument+VST
Another alternative is this list!
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28025798/Free%20Gear%20From%20Ylmir.txt
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
nah, i can't nderstand all that complex stuff like reverbs and attack/decay rates n all that jazz, nor do i have the time too.
actually tbh, i'm quite good with mixcraft, as it is.
now, if those things i could add to mixcraft then that would be nice.
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
i read the tutorial and now my music sounding better now that i understand how to use bass and melody
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - MetalRenard - 07-29-2013
You need to make time if you want to learn to make good music. :)
I dedicated years of my life to it.
As for the tutorial, have you tried reading the other one too? The one that has its own thread...
RE: How is this battle theme and need help "Phrasing" - Ahzoh - 07-29-2013
i dunno, i haven't read it all, but the fact that you have examples sure help.