synthvibes
User
Joined: 23 May 2006
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 Posted: Tue May 23 2006 19:20
The music theory of basslines & M.T. key signatures |
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Hi Madtracker users!
It's Roy Nel a.k.a. Synthetic Vibes posting this message! I have only just begun to use MT, and I think it ROCKS! Just a couple of questions:
If you start putting a tune together on MT, is there a way of working out what key signature it turned out in?
Second question, leading on from the first: Once you've figured out what your piece's key signature is, which is what is required for doing the bassline, what theoretical rules must be followed to make the bassline?
Thanks a lot.  |
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StyrmanLjungberg
Registered User
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Location: Östersund, Sweden
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Posted: Tue May 23 2006 19:34
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figuring out the key can't be made from within MadTracker from what I know. Easiest thing is to learn scales ;P think they have a pretty extensive article on diffrent scales at wikipedia.
or maybe I misunderstood your question 
regarding the bassline, I personally think it shouldn't have that much melody. just playing the notes in the current chord or something. guess it depends on style too though.. ^^ |
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Sonitus
Beta-Tester
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Posted: Thu May 25 2006 13:52
Re: The music theory of basslines & M.T. key signatures |
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| synthvibes wrote: |
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what theoretical rules must be followed to make the bassline?
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Not quite sure if I understand this question, dude. I'm pretty much unaware of any specific rules of how to make a bassline and if there are, I'm pretty sure that you don't have to follow them. I know I never follow any rules anyway. |
www.sonitusmusic.com
www.myspace.com/sonitusswe
www.vibraonline.com |
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BeatMax
Registered User
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Germany
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Posted: Fri May 26 2006 03:23
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A melody follows the notes of a harmony or chord. E.g if you play a melody in the c-scale you would use harmonies like C major (C E G), G (G B D) major and maybe F (F A C) major. The easiest bassline sequence would be just a repetition of the basic notes. This is for a c-major chord the C, for a G major chord the G etc. To get more variance into a bassline you can alter the octave of the basic note. In a track it could look similar to this
melody bassline harmonies/chord
C-4 C-2 C-major
--- ---
E-4 --- "
--- ---
G-4 C-3 " <-- octave changed
--- ---
F-4 F-3 F-major
--- ---
A-4 --- "
--- ---
C-5 F-2 "
Of course this is a very simple structure but it gives you an idea how a bassline works together with a melody. You may enter additional notes between the basic notes to get a more melodic bassline. E.G. for a C-major chord you could use these notes:
melody bassline harmonies/chord
C-4 C-2 C-major
--- ---
E-4 G-2 " <-- additional note
--- ---
G-4 C-3 " <-- octave changed
--- ---
F-4 F-3 F-major
--- ---
A-4 --- "
--- ---
C-5 F-2 "
I am not a bassline expert, maybe someone could add additional information about this topic. Basically its all about the harmonies and the rythm. Of course you can get interesting results if you break the rules. 
Hope I could help a bit!
BMX |
-----------------------------------------------
B E A T M A X
Madtracker-Tutorial - Personal Releases
https://linktr.ee/beatmax_prediction
https://soundcloud.com/beatmax_prediction
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Martin
Registered User
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Norway
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Posted: Fri May 26 2006 07:50
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If you have a tune, why not post it - so that we can help you figure out the key. |
~ http://martin.madtracker.net ~ |
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BeatMax
Registered User
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Germany
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synthvibes
User
Joined: 23 May 2006
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Posted: Sat May 27 2006 10:17
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Thanks for your help, guys!
Beatmax, you were a great help with that theory, thanks. Martin, I'll take your advice and post one of my earliest pieces, "Starwalker", onto the website.
Please bear in mind, though, that since "Starwalker", I have now started to diversify my music to not just instrumental, but now I'm putting lyrics to my music as well. (They won't be recorded into my M.T. files though.)
Anyway, that need not concern you guys too much. Please just take a listen to "Starwalker", and let me have your comments, good and bad. I'll let you know when it's posted; it just needs a bit of polishing-up first. 
Watch this space! |
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BeatMax
Registered User
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Germany
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Martin
Registered User
Joined: 05 May 2003
Location: Norway
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