Whatever comes first for me.

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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

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quote:

Originally posted by dj_alfi change your avatar for fucks sake.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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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.