Okay, I'm a classical pianist by training.

I want to begin producing dance music, especially Trance.

I asked a question about what a Trance track consists of, and I got some very thorough, thoughtful answers.

But I have a vocabulary problem.

WTF is a "breakdown"??

lol

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Originally posted by dragontrance Okay, I'm a classical pianist by training. I want to begin producing dance music, especially Trance. I asked a question about what a Trance track consists of, and I got some very thorough, thoughtful answers. But I have a vocabulary problem. WTF is a "breakdown"??

Why didn't you just ask it in the thread you already started?

If you review that thread, you'll see pictures of wav forms that highlight the breakdown.

Even worse, he even said the breakdowns were highlighted...

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Originally posted by Subtle There are really NO rules here. It all depens on what kind of trance track you are going to make, here are three Trance tracks, with main part breakdowns colored yellow, you`ll notice the timing and length of the break is different on all of them. Be creative, do what feels natural for you.

quote:

Why didn't you just ask it in the thread you already started?

Because the other thread was about the structure of a Trance piece. This thread is about the definition of a word. It was off-topic and not appropriate to that thread.

If you will revisit my response to the example posted, you'll see.

Just because you say "this is a breakdown" and play me one, it doesn't mean that I know what one is.

Try this: What does the fkn word mean?

What is a breakdown? I have heard them, but what is it? How do you make it?

I mean, really, guys, c'mon. Is this REALLY rocket science?

quote:

Originally posted by dragontrance Because the other thread was about the structure of a Trance piece. This thread is about the definition of a word. It was off-topic and not appropriate to that thread. If you will revisit my response to the example posted, you'll see. Just because you say "this is a breakdown" and play me one, it doesn't mean that I know what one is. Try this: What does the fkn word mean? What is a breakdown? I have heard them, but what is it? How do you make it? I mean, really, guys, c'mon. Is this REALLY rocket science?

It means look at the fucking wav file, then listen to a song, then figure it out.

And no, it's not rocket science, which is why I can't for the life of me figure out why the fuck you keep asking the same dumb ass question when you can look at the wav file, listen to a couple cd's, then figure it out. As the wav file shows, there's no formula so people can't tell you how to "make one."

And now I see you took the other thread in the same direction. So much for being off topic and not appropriate.

In the context of mainstream anthem trance, a "breakdown" is where most of the percussive sounds, especially the kick, are absent for around one to three minutes while the melodic sounds build some kind of tension. Most of the time in "anthem" trance, the "tension" will be created simply by raising the cutoff frequency of the filters on the main melody and pad sounds, introducing lots of high frequencies into the track. When the filter cutoff is at its highest, the breakdown is ended by bringing all of the percussion back in at full force.

If you don't know what a cutoff frequency is, just Google "lowpass filter audio" or something similar and start reading up.

Hey Ray:

I appreciate that the written language isn't exactly your strong suit.

If you don't understand the question I'm asking then maybe you should just shut the fuck up.

If you'll read back a little (again, not your strong suit apparently) you'll see that I've been listening to this music for years!

I don't learn by just listening. I don't believe you do either.

Since you're so fuckin smart, you must be rich with all your crazy success in the music biz, no?

MrJiveBoJingles:

Thanks very much.

I know my questions are really noob-ish. What can I say, I'm a true newbie.

Thanks for your patience and for your great answers.

quote:

Originally posted by dragontrance Hey Ray: I appreciate that the written language isn't exactly your strong suit. If you don't understand the question I'm asking then maybe you should just shut the fuck up. If you'll read back a little (again, not your strong suit apparently) you'll see that I've been listening to this music for years! I don't learn by just listening. I don't believe you do either. Since you're so fuckin smart, you must be rich with all your crazy success in the music biz, no?

Indeed, I am a poor, ignorant bastard with nothing to show for myself except the fact that I know what a "breakdown" is and how comical the other thread you started became in the last couple of posts. I'm empty. And will shut up now.

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Originally posted by dragontrance I don't learn by just listening. I don't believe you do either.

There is really no other way.

Listen - Analyze - Recreate - Then create your own.

What most Trance productions has in common is

1. 4/4 Time signature with 4 kicks in each bar, building in 8 Bar blocks (Because then every tune will be possible for a DJ to mix together with another tune)
2. A melody most often written in a Minor scale.
3. A tempo between 125-150 BPM
4. Repetetive Closed and Open Hat patterns with one clap or snare on every 2nd kick.
5. 1-2 minute intro and outtro (Or its a pain in the ass for DJs)

Other than that, you`re free to do whatever you want.
Thats the beauty of EDM, now you can add a Drum`n`bass loop in the break, sample an Elvis tune and put a flanger effect on it, let ur mama sing some chants, or you can record cars drives by for the sake of it.

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quote:

Listen - Analyze - Recreate - Then create your own.

That's not *JUST listening*.

I get what you're saying, and I agree 100%. The analysis bit is only possible when you understand what you're hearing, wouldn't you agree?

Seems to me that if you have, at least, a basic understanding of what the contituent parts are of a song, then you'll have an easier time creating one.

If you just listen and imitate, I can see where it would take years and years and years, and maybe you develop an artistic voice, maybe you don't.

Thanks, everyone.