best way to analyze song chords progressions and melodies

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by Desantïs, Jan 31, 2016.

  1. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    I've been diving into music theory lately and besides FLPs for my daw is there another way to look right into projects? I hear splice is nice but I don't think they have the melodies and chords in the playlist part... I'm just trying to get more of a feel of the melody/chords interaction and how differently people can do progressions and bringing in melodies etc.

     
  2.  
  3. RMorgan

    RMorgan Audiosexual

    Joined:
    May 17, 2014
    Messages:
    645
    Likes Received:
    515
    There's been a lot of people posting similar questions here lately, but the fact is, there are no shortcuts for learning music. It takes practice, discipline and time, a lot of time.

    Anyway, as far as I know, your ears are still the best tool for this kind of job. Go to a quiet place, get your favorite instrument, a pen, paper, and get to work.

    As for chord progressions themselves, the vast majority songs out there are based on the Circle of Fifths, whether deliberately or instinctively. There are some interactive apps that will help you learn and understand it, like this one:

    http://randscullard.com/CircleOfFifths/

    R.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2016
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • List
  4. django

    django Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2011
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    17
    There are generally guitar chord tabs available for most popular songs.

    Failing that if you hum the 'chords' you are generally hearing the top note of the chord and should be able to work out the other chord notes from there. Eg. If you are humming an E, count down to find the root, probably C, so you have a C chord, then try the minor or major thirds to see which fits, move onto next chord etc...
     
  5. kouros

    kouros Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2014
    Messages:
    847
    Likes Received:
    249
    Start playing an instrument, that's the best way to get a feel for music and to put theory into practice.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • List
  6. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    I refuse to play an instrument, don't force me into your 'game'
     
    • Disagree Disagree x 5
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • List
  7. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    learning to play an instrument is not the same as producing music, yes music theory is used in both but I'm not interested in playing a fucking guitar or keyboard
     
    • Disagree Disagree x 4
    • Winner Winner x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • List
  8. Cordelay

    Cordelay Ultrasonic

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    21
    What works best for my guitar or theory students is to play songs and then take a chart with all the harmonized mayor and minor scales and start putting numbers over the song's chords (yep, chord analysis)... That way you begin to feel the real need to learn the intervals, scales and the chords that form from them... Just my 2 cents...
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • List
  9. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    I am very interested and enjoy music theory and everything that goes with it but I am never picking up a physical instrument
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • Creative Creative x 1
    • List
  10. Cordelay

    Cordelay Ultrasonic

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    21
    Nobody forces you, of course an instrument is only a means to the end that is music, but it's quite a different sensation producing the music "as you play it" or producing it writing on the piano roll.
    Having done both extensively I've learned that I'm two different musicians when I play and when I write.

    Then you can skip the playing part and start diving directly in the vast world of intervals, scales, modal interchanges, cadences... :wink:
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  11. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    I've already learned quite a bit, learning as we speak. I've had some pretty successful remixes and originals from just banging around on the piano roll the last few years but its time to up my level.
     
  12. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2012
    Messages:
    4,273
    Likes Received:
    2,737
    Location:
    Planet Earth
    Hook Theory?
     
  13. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2012
    Messages:
    4,273
    Likes Received:
    2,737
    Location:
    Planet Earth
    Organic music is imperfect by nature and you will never capture these nuances on a piano roll, they have to flow through the human body.
     
  14. timer

    timer Producer

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2015
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    138
    If the piano roll is your instrument, just practice playing piano roll! You can build all chord progressions and melodies there.
    Just don't assume it will be easier to reach mastery than with physical instruments.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • List
  15. kouros

    kouros Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2014
    Messages:
    847
    Likes Received:
    249
    Your prejudice will only take you so far.

    I didn't say "go learn songs on an instrument, become a virtuoso...etc". For what you say you want, an instrument (midi keyboard for instance) gives you instant feedback on notes/intervals/chords and that's one of the things that helps achieving what you say you want.

    Anyways, I won't even try to convince you otherwise, you have it all figured out... just like the user foster911.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
    • Dislike Dislike x 1
    • List
  16. kouros

    kouros Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2014
    Messages:
    847
    Likes Received:
    249
    How can I become a master of sex and pleasure giving?

    Get a woman and start doing things with her, that will help.

    No no no, I want to do it all by myself!
     
    • Funny Funny x 4
    • Winner Winner x 2
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  17. Yevheniy

    Yevheniy Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    8
    Best Answer
    http://www.hooktheory.com/trends

    This is one of my favorite websites dealing with chord progressions. You basically choose a starting chord then based on analysis of hundreds (or thousands) of songs it shows you all of the possible (common) chords that could follow that chord with a percentage of how often that following chord is used in the analyzed songs. You can basically build progressions and it shows you songs that use that progression and you can even listen to those songs while following the progression.
     
  18. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    nice some useful information..
     
  19. Desantïs

    Desantïs Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2016
    Messages:
    357
    Likes Received:
    116
    Not interested in satisfying a woman
     
  20. Jasmine

    Jasmine Producer

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Messages:
    199
    Likes Received:
    87
    Location:
    Nassau, Bahamas
    Every third day I get pregnant, because of my unsafe sex with Cubase.
     
    • Funny Funny x 4
    • Interesting Interesting x 1
    • List
  21. krakenfart

    krakenfart Ultrasonic

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2012
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    29
    Faoki, many people have spent time giving you their wisdom and at every suggestion you come with a, to be honest, very silly response. Why not try fishing - 'cause your music and social skills are pretty much zero.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Disagree Disagree x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
    • List
Loading...
Similar Threads - best analyze song Forum Date
Best analyzer vsts + Eq, Dynamic... curves and models Mixing and Mastering Jul 26, 2017
Best samplepacks on Splice Samplers, Synthesizers Yesterday at 12:04 PM
BEST OF BLACK FREE DAY FREE | Sample Libraries, Sample Packs, VSTS, Kontakt Instruments Software News Sunday at 12:32 AM
First Look: ERA II Medieval Legends by Best Service for Eduardo Tarilonte Software Reviews and Tutorials Saturday at 7:38 PM
BEST OF BLACK FREE DAY FREE | Sample Libraries, Sample Packs, VSTS, Kontakt Instruments Software News Nov 10, 2024
Loading...