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The hard part, after this, of course, is actually making the melodies, and if you suck at that, then perhaps it’s time to skip this tutorial and move on to making Techno 8-)

I always had a hard time composing melodies but once I learned about chord progressions is "all came to me" and composing an entire 8 measure melodies takes like 10 mins at the most (once I've spent 10 hours perfecting the progression and harmony of course )

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cheers MrCowski, a lot of my melody is guess work - although I have studied chord progressions kind of. Can you recommend any further reading?

I come from a jazz background, so I've had music theory bashed into my head for as long as I can remember.

What I would recommend is finding a nice piece of classical (definatly NOT jazz) music that you enjoy, and getting some chord progression ideas from that. Many classical pieces are in minor keys (it usually will tell you in the title) and have progressions that are beautiful, yet relatively simple. The reason I say not to use jazz is simply because you have way too may chord changes to really be able to use them effectively in a trance piece. There are some jazz standards that would be usable, but the theory needed is probably above the average producer's head. I've been experimenting with "jazz-trance," but a lot of time it comes out sounding more loungey than anything.

Do we have any other jazz-heads out there? Although performing live jazz will always hold a place in my heart for the intamacy of the group and the challenge of the music, I find electronic/trance music to be untouchable in its energy. Just my thoughts.

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Originally posted by alanzo sorry for posting so many replies.. but here is the entire book.. free online.. http://www.completechords.com/Pages..._Full_Index.htm

"On rare occasion, a rank amateur will actually write a great tune, by sheer dumb luck."

Can you recommend any further reading?

check out this website.. it has an entire section on chord progressions and 3 other sections on theory in general..

http://www.completechords.com/Pages..._Full_Index.htm

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oh wait.. I alredy posted that link in here... well READ IT!

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i have read that, i meant further than that!

well this website it pretty good.. on the bottom of it are two free e-books that are quite worth the read..

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I pushed enter to put in a space and the Post sent..

here's the link..

http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm

If you want even further then that try the forums on http://www.futureproducers.com

If you want even further then that.. go to your local book-store and pull up a chair

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cheers, going to give them two ebooks a read.

All this information is great...but, to tell you the truth, after going through all that shit, i still don't know anything about minor scale chord progressions. What chords can lead to waht, and sound good? is it the same as major scale?

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Currently Working on:

DJ Ecstortionz - Summer Overture trance mix

He definitly explains all that - read through it again as it can be a bit confusing if it's your first time learning all of it.

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