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-- Music theory (In context of beat rate)

Music theory (In context of beat rate)

Just a generalized question. For the most part, do sets based in 4/4 beat structure seem to lose flow and drag when the same beat rate is held for about 4 tracks, let's say for around 20 minutes?
Theories, ideas, advice please?
I figure this depends on the music involved, but any one with any insight on this would be much appreciated.

Not at all.

Seriously, just beatmatch it, and play it.

It's the tunes themselves, not the beat, that will make a set flow or not flow.

Well, if you have any tracks in other beat structures, just try mixing it.

i hate pitch change.

No.

Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.

I`m pretty sure 99.9999% of EDM is in 4/4

Re: Music theory (In context of beat rate)

quote:

Originally posted by Surfmorworkless Just a generalized question. For the most part, do sets based in 4/4 beat structure seem to lose flow and drag when the same beat rate is held for about 4 tracks, let's say for around 20 minutes? Theories, ideas, advice please? I figure this depends on the music involved, but any one with any insight on this would be much appreciated.

Two things:

1. 4/4 and 'four-to-the-floor' are not the same thing. You are talking about the latter.

2. The answer to your original question is an emphatic 'no'. You don't need to vary BPM to achieve different intensity levels.

For example, take a look at these two tracks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOxPpg_KCKs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA-Zs06sQ9I

The first track is 127 BPM, the second is 128. Notice the huge difference in intensity? It's not because of the BPM, it's because of more percussion and a faster melody in the second track.

I actually had a second example which was 124 BPM and sounded far more intense than the first, but couldn't find a youtube clip for it.

You can easily build your sets by staying at the same BPM for as long as you like, provided you have adequate variation in intensity of tracks to keep things interesting.

Conversely, moving between BPMs is also fine. If you had a track at 125BPM and another at 130 there is nothing wrong with using a few tracks in between those two speeds to bridge the gap.

Hope that helps.

Re: Re: Music theory (In context of beat rate)

quote:

Originally posted by Domesticated Two things: 1. 4/4 and 'four-to-the-floor' are not the same thing. You are talking about the latter. 2. The answer to your original question is an emphatic 'no'. You don't need to vary BPM to achieve different intensity levels. For example, take a look at these two tracks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOxPpg_KCKs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA-Zs06sQ9I The first track is 127 BPM, the second is 128. Notice the huge difference in intensity? It's not because of the BPM, it's because of more percussion and a faster melody in the second track. I actually had a second example which was 124 BPM and sounded far more intense than the first, but couldn't find a youtube clip for it. You can easily build your sets by staying at the same BPM for as long as you like, provided you have adequate variation in intensity of tracks to keep things interesting. Conversely, moving between BPMs is also fine. If you had a track at 125BPM and another at 130 there is nothing wrong with using a few tracks in between those two speeds to bridge the gap. Hope that helps.

Thank you.

Very interestting point.

personally, to avoid a stagnant feel of a set i dont mix in 2-3 tracks of the same genre in a row.
A progression through various styles of trance (or whatever)in a set is a good way to keep the set changing & not have that specific genre feel to it.

A perfect example of a stagnant set is reaching a pleateau at the start & then keeping the energy level there for the next 7 songs. Whats that gonna achieve? The climaxes (*giggles*) will not be as effective.

imo, that is!

It doesn't. To keep a mix interesting you need to have a good track selection, good structure/track placement, and good transitions thats the main key.

Harmonic mixing also helps out a lot once you understand how it works and how to use it.

quote:

Originally posted by recoil Very interestting point. personally, to avoid a stagnant feel of a set i dont mix in 2-3 tracks of the same genre in a row. A progression through various styles of trance (or whatever)in a set is a good way to keep the set changing & not have that specific genre feel to it. A perfect example of a stagnant set is reaching a pleateau at the start & then keeping the energy level there for the next 7 songs. Whats that gonna achieve? The climaxes (*giggles*) will not be as effective. imo, that is!

Can you please post a tracklist from a recent set of yours? I would be interested to see what your idea of changing genre every three or four tracks is.

yea man, no probs:

Eddie sender-sandwalker
Dreamia-Hidoxer
Altitude-flood warning
Mystery Islands-beautiful dream
Feeltz-wavelife
freefalling
robbie van doe-escape
rory james-surrounded
awakening
axel letham-every man dies
pegasus

this is a mix im working on for a mate of mine to introduce him to the trance i like. I think it shows quite a broad range of different different trance styles in the one set.

what u reckon?

quote:

Originally posted by recoil yea man, no probs: Eddie sender-sandwalker Dreamia-Hidoxer Altitude-flood warning Mystery Islands-beautiful dream Feeltz-wavelife freefalling robbie van doe-escape rory james-surrounded awakening axel letham-every man dies pegasus this is a mix im working on for a mate of mine to introduce him to the trance i like. I think it shows quite a broad range of different different trance styles in the one set. what u reckon?

How are any of those tracks different from one another?

They are all just plain uplifting trance. None of them even showed any tech influences.

plain uplifting?
Cant agree w/ you there.

I thought the flow was more progressive -> uplifting-> driving/anthem -> melodic.

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