TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- what first? Melody vs. Chords vs. Percussion vs. Bass

what first? Melody vs. Chords vs. Percussion vs. Bass

Kick + Bass for me. Groove and rhythm are always of utmost importance to me. Since I usually know what key I am writing in, this doesn't harm what bass notes to use.

Whatever comes first for me.

Re: what first? Melody vs. Chords vs. Percussion vs. Bass

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Wiley Kick + Bass for me. Groove and rhythm are always of utmost importance to me. Since I usually know what key I am writing in, this doesn't harm what bass notes to use.

G&R are in every element.

Either:

Percs > Bass > Lead > FX

Or Chords > Melody > Bass > Percs > FX

quote:

Originally posted by tehlord Whatever comes first for me.

+1

Just depends on the track. Sometimes I have a good melody, sometimes I start with just a kick and the bass. Sometimes I'll write a good melody that just doesn't fit with the current track, so I'll pop open another project, record it and save it. Then I can come back and work on making it into another track later. I have loads of these "stem" projects laying around, which are perfect when you are starting on something new.

Ultimately, my answer is all of the above because I've used all approaches (and then some), but....

I voted melody, even though that's not really accurate either. I generally start with an overall feel (e.g., slow vs. fast, bouncy, vs. subdued, etc.) which is generally based on my mood. Song ideas usually start in my head as both a melody and harmony (i.e., chord progression), because the two are so closely related and interdependent. So, it's usually just a matter of dumping the melody/chords from my brain onto my piano and into my sequencer. But, if I don't have a solid idea in my mind, I sometimes put together a drum loop and chord progression (and simple bass line), then improvise along with it, or just listen to it repeatedly, until a melody idea starts to form.

It depends entirely on what's in my head to start a song with, but I will almost always set up the most basic or rhythms to get the melody down with, then start on the melody, add bass, then additional elements. That's just the way I've found works most efficiently for break-beats and to say I strictly adhere to it as a rule would be misleading. It's more that it just flows that way.

Without a doubt it's always the chords or, at least, some semblance of progression. I would love to say I put down whatever I can think of but that's simply not the case, I always have a basic chord structure in mind and I write melodies/bass lines accordingly. A few times I have thought of the melody prior to the chord progression but those are always extremely simple. Any complex or involved melodies (my bass lines are never complex) are always a result of a chord progression.

Percussion, depending on what loops/sounds i put in determines the bass, add a sound with 2 notes then add the bass and that becomes a basic triad, then comes in melody

yeah depends on what shit im making tho its best to start at the bottom so you dont have to go and back track

groove.

Often the melody, other times i have an idea of a ryhtm or structure and start from this point

i ride the cowbell.

usually start with melodics(sp?), then bass and groove.
on more of a techy track i start with bass.

It depends on what I want the song to be. If I want a groove based production, I usually start with bass and percs for example. If I want something melodic, I do something melodic.

quote:

Originally posted by floyd741 Without a doubt it's always the chords or, at least, some semblance of progression. I would love to say I put down whatever I can think of but that's simply not the case, I always have a basic chord structure in mind and I write melodies/bass lines accordingly. A few times I have thought of the melody prior to the chord progression but those are always extremely simple. Any complex or involved melodies (my bass lines are never complex) are always a result of a chord progression.

+1. This is exactly what I do, down to every word.

write round the melody

Ive only made one track but i think my method will generally be, chords first then everything built around that, however my next trak im starting with the kick and base line but I think once I master certain things it will be Chords > Melody > Baseline > Percussion

quote:

Originally posted by msz i ride the cowbell. usually start with melodics(sp?), then bass and groove. on more of a techy track i start with bass.

personally i can't start with chords because i find a lot more complicated making a melody form chord progression than making the chords once you've the melody...

Is melody really number 1?!

I usually start it off with kick and bass

First step in the creative process is seven shots of whiskey.

Actually it might be amusing to have a drunken production contest. Have everyone get toasted and bash out a track in a few hours, then vote on the best one.

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles First step in the creative process is seven shots of whiskey. Actually it might be amusing to have a drunken production contest. Have everyone get toasted and bash out a track in a few hours, then vote on the best one.

being seriously, did you find yourself more creative after a great party the last night?

My best tracks were produced a day that i was suffering a particularly hard hangover, science behind this? Maybe you are more sensitive and when something sounds wrong there is a physical response with pain, you know some sounds make your head explode so alcohol may be your friend!

You see a lot of bands and composers having a bottle of jack daniels on the top of his piano too.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.