Hack Music Theory
Hack Music Theory
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How to Write Sweeping Arpeggios
► Free PDF • hackmusictheory.com/album/2639559/sweeping-arpeggios
Do your arpeggios all sound rather similar? It’s a common problem for producers.
Arpeggios are when you play a chord one note at a time, and it’s one of the best techniques for making your progressions more interesting. And while it’s definitely more rare to hear arpeggios than “block” chords in popular music genres, most of the arpeggios you do hear are rather boring. Merely playing chords one note at a time is not a foolproof way of making progressions more creative. If you want better arpeggios, you need to write an internal melody within them. Want even better arpeggios? Write two internal melodies, or maybe even three!
What are we talking about when we talk about “internal melodies”? Well, the melodies need to be formed from notes within the arpeggios, as opposed to writing a melody over the top of them. There’s obviously nothing wrong with doing that, but it will be heard as a separate melody, not as part of the arpeggios.
While there’s an abundance of genius examples of this in classical music, there are sadly not many to be found in popular music genres. If you’re into the rock side of things, Muse has plenty of creative arpeggios. Examples are even rarer on the electronic side of things, though, but DAFT PUNK comes to the rescue with their song “Motherboard” (check out their new “Drumless Edition” of this song, as it’s easier to hear the arpeggios). At 28 seconds into this track, the most beautiful arpeggios begin to sweep up and down. Despite their fast pace (i.e. 1/16 notes), they’re thoroughly calming due to their smooth, sweeping motion. And it’s not just the fast pace that makes their arpeggios so creative, it’s also their choice of notes.
So, inspired by “Motherboard”, here’s our 5-step method for writing sweeping arpeggios, which are guaranteed to stand out from all those boring, clichéd arpeggios. But first… Tea!
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ABOUT
Learn how to make good music in a DAW (digital audio workstation). Taught by Ray Harmony, a multi award-winning college lecturer who's made music with multiplatinum Grammy-winning artists, and his protégé wife, Kate.
CREDITS
© 2024 Revolution Harmony
Footage by Billie Woods
Music by Ray Harmony
Переглядів: 1 645

Відео

How to Write a Catchy Melody
Переглядів 3,4 тис.Місяць тому
► Free PDF • hackmusictheory.com/album/2877864/catchy-melody British band GLASS ANIMALS are absolutely massive! At the time of writing this, they’re ranked 257 in the world on Spotify. Most artists as famous as them have achieved their success as a result of an obsessive striving for celebrity. However, Glass Animals seem to be obsessed with making catchy music instead. And not only that, their...
How to Write a Better Snare Rhythm
Переглядів 2,6 тис.3 місяці тому
► Free PDF • hackmusictheory.com/album/2806684/snare-rhythms While it’s normal to hear at least a few different kick patterns and hi-hat patterns in music nowadays, it’s rare to hear an interesting snare pattern. The rhythm assigned to this neglected element of the drumkit is almost always an afterthought. In 4|4 (which most music is in), the snare is usually one of these three rhythms: Regular...
How to Write a Heavy Bass Line
Переглядів 11 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Front Line Assembly "Mechanical Soul". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Syncopated Octaves 0:39 Step 2. High Line 1:55 Step 3. Low Line 2:37 Final Example Step 1. Syncopated Octaves Set up one bar of 4|4 with your grid on 1/16 notes, and your tempo at 110 BPM. You’re gonna start by using only one note, and the octave of that note. ...
How to Write an Advanced Drum Beat
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Royal Blood "Mountains at Midnight". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books ►DRUMS PDF. Everything You Need to Know: HackMusicTheory.com/Drums 0:00 Step 1. Pattern 0:50 Step 2. Beat 2:13 Step 3. Pulse 2:39 Final Example Step 1. Pattern Set up two bars of 4|4 with your grid set to 1/16 notes, and your tempo at 136 BPM. Now, instead of starting to make...
How to Write a Locrian Bass Line
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
Music theory from Rezz "Suffer in Silence". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Basic 1:00 Step 2. Energy 2:01 Step 3. Next Level 2:43 Final Example Step 1. Basic Set up four bars with an 1/8 note grid, and your tempo at 97 BPM. You’re gonna start by writing a basic bass line that plays every 1/8 note. This creates momentum. We’re in B Locrian here, wh...
How to Write a Beautiful Chord Progression
Переглядів 14 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Sleep Token "Take Me Back to Eden". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Beauty 0:46 Step 2. Chord Beat 1:55 Step 3. Bass 2:33 Final Example Step 1. Beauty Set your grid to 1/16 notes and your tempo to 113 BPM. We’re in the key of A minor here, which is just all the white notes from A to A. Right, so the first step to writing a beautif...
How to Write a Bass Line with Harmony
Переглядів 11 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from GoGo Penguin "Everything Is Going to Be OK". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Low 1:53 Step 2. High 2:38 Final Example Step 1. Low Harmony is when two or more notes are played together. And sadly, it’s rare to hear harmony in a bass line. The word “line” is actually used to convey the fact that it’s a melody, not a harmony. That’s ...
How to Write a Standout Melody
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from PJ Harvey "A Child's Question, August". ►FREE BOOK. Learn Theory in 30 Minutes: HackMusicTheory.com/Books ►Songwriting & Producing (PDF): HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers 0:00 Step 1. First Impressions 1:30 Step 2: Second Impressions 2:44 Final Example Step 1. First Impressions There are many ways to write a standout melody, but it’s difficult to improve on the method PJ Harvey...
How to Write a Locrian Riff
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Metallica "72 Seasons". ►FREE Book. Music is easy with this: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Octaves 0:42 Step 2. Mode 1:49 Step 3. Melody 2:20 Locrian vs. Phrygian 2:50 Final Example 2:59 Guitar Playthrough Step 1. Octaves Set your grid to 1/16 notes and your tempo to 97 BPM. You’re gonna start by writing a creative pattern using only octaves. If you’re writing this on...
How to Write a Catchy Melody
Переглядів 17 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Beastie Boys "Sure Shot". ►FREE Book. Music is easy with this: HackMusicTheory.com/Books ►Songwriting & Producing PDF: HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers 0:00 Step 1. Scale 1:31 Step 2. Rhythm 1:58 Step 3. Contour 2:25 Final Example Step 1. Scale There are two types of catchy melodies: annoyingly repetitive ones you can’t stop singing but actually hate, and awesome ones that are ...
How to Write a Bass Line with Energy
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from The Chemical Brothers "No Reason". ►FREE Book. Music is easy with this: HackMusicTheory.com/Books 0:00 Step 1. Rhythmic Energy 0:51 Step 2. Melodic Energy 2:24 Final Example Step 1. Rhythmic Energy There’s a super energetic bass line in the new single “No Reason” by The Chemical Brothers. To write a bass line like this, you need a lot of movement. Not just rhythmic movement, b...
How to Write a Lydian Melody
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Music Theory from Depeche Mode "Ghosts Again". ►Free Book: HackMusicTheory.com/Books ►Songwriting & Producing PDF: HackMusicTheory.com/Bestsellers 0:00 Intro 0:18 Step 1. Mode 0:36 Step 2: Roots & 3rds 2:03 Step 3: Variations 2:29 Final Example Intro Simple music can be great music. Depeche Mode’s lead single “Ghosts Again” from their new album “Memento Mori” is proof. It has a well-written and...
How to Write a Polymetric Drum Beat
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Music Theory from Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre. ►Free Book: HackMusicTheory.com 0:00 Step 1. Kick in 7 1:20 Step 2. Snare in 4 2:26 Playthrough Step 1. Kick in 7 The new Periphery single “Atropos” (from the album Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre) opens with a classic djent polymeter, which we love! Staying true to Meshuggah’s original polymeter recipe, the kick is in odd time while the sn...
How to Write a Layered Riff
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
Music Theory from Polyphia "Ego Death". ►Free Book: HackMusicTheory.com 0:00 Step 1. Bass 1:02 Step 2. Melody 1:49 Step 3. Spice 2:45 Playthrough Step 1. Bass The first thing you notice in the opening riff of “Ego Death” by Polyphia is that there are two layers. There’s a bass line and a lead melody all in one riff, played by one guitar. By adding bass notes below the melody they’re implying ch...
Drum Secrets of Hip-Hop Legends
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Drum Secrets of Hip-Hop Legends
Why You Struggle to Make Music
Переглядів 14 тис.Рік тому
Why You Struggle to Make Music
Sound Design Is Ruining Your Music
Переглядів 29 тис.Рік тому
Sound Design Is Ruining Your Music
Stop Looping Melodies This Way
Переглядів 16 тис.Рік тому
Stop Looping Melodies This Way
Wrong Notes for Better Chord Progressions
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
Wrong Notes for Better Chord Progressions
Gorillaz HACK for Better Bass Lines
Переглядів 15 тис.Рік тому
Gorillaz HACK for Better Bass Lines
Red Hot Chili Peppers HACK for Better Bass Lines
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
Red Hot Chili Peppers HACK for Better Bass Lines
Steven Wilson: Synesthesia PROG
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: Synesthesia PROG
Steven Wilson: How to Increase Creativity
Переглядів 9 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: How to Increase Creativity
Steven Wilson: Biggest Metal Mistake
Переглядів 54 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: Biggest Metal Mistake
Steven Wilson: How to Be Creative
Переглядів 27 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: How to Be Creative
Steven Wilson: Song Structure SECRET
Переглядів 15 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: Song Structure SECRET
Steven Wilson: Common Songwriting Mistake
Переглядів 67 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: Common Songwriting Mistake
Steven Wilson: The Songwriting Process
Переглядів 24 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson: The Songwriting Process
Steven Wilson on SHRED GUITAR
Переглядів 43 тис.Рік тому
Steven Wilson on SHRED GUITAR

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @RealObservr
    @RealObservr День тому

    GOD, I am an ameteaur game dev, and I was having such a bad time even starting with making music for my game because everything sounded the same, and this video came like the saviour I needed ! You guys are a god sent!

  • @pegasovagante
    @pegasovagante День тому

    Great video from a geat channel! Using the third or the fifth of a chord in the bass, though, does raise the subject of inversions. It’s definitely not a topic that could have been covered in detail in a 7’37” video, but I feel it would have done no harm just to mention it for the record.

  • @JostSchwider
    @JostSchwider День тому

    Thanx a lot! 👍💚

  • @nandakoryaaa1401
    @nandakoryaaa1401 2 дні тому

    Hi Kate & Ray! That's something new and I'm going to try it, thank you :)

  • @BigIndianBindi-jy1cz
    @BigIndianBindi-jy1cz 2 дні тому

    much obliged for the new upload. wondering if you're good at identifying instrument sounds, even if they are sampled sounds? i'm working on a soundfont using samples from a game, and i have trouble with identifying some of the sounds, because i want to get the samples properly named and organized by categories.

  • @jayvessel3444
    @jayvessel3444 2 дні тому

    Good show, enjoying it over some coffee now and tea later.

  • @DeltaKT
    @DeltaKT 2 дні тому

    I'm in love. Haven't been here in a while! ❤❤💯

  • @PIZZAdayisback
    @PIZZAdayisback 2 дні тому

    Remove the "how to write" and "s" and then you'll be advertising honestly Edit: they literally just advertised, this is an ad

    • @HackMusicTheory
      @HackMusicTheory 2 дні тому

      It's an ad for a FREE PDF, which is an in-depth, step-by-step tutorial that took us two weeks to make. We're working for free, and you're complaining about that? Can you please explain how this offends you?

    • @HackMusicTheory
      @HackMusicTheory 2 дні тому

      Also, we've got over 200 FREE video tutorials here on UA-cam. The reason we're focusing on PDF tutorials now, is because there are too many distractions on UA-cam, it's not a good place to learn. Our community has told us that the PDF tutorials we're doing are far better for learning, because they're in-depth, and a lot of people print them out and work through them off-line. Why don't you try our free PDF before complaining about it?

    • @PIZZAdayisback
      @PIZZAdayisback 2 дні тому

      @@HackMusicTheory I'm not exactly offended in the way you may think. The title as of right now is "how to write sweeping arpeggios". The video features _a_ sweeping arpeggio, but the video only contains an ad for where one could find out how to write a sweeping arpeggio. If the video contained a brief and non-descriptive tutorial to give just enough interest to how to make a sweeping arpeggio and then the ad, I'd believe it was a great video. And, I'm not complaining you're doing free work, (because this and the PDF being free is not the problem) the problem is the title implies that you explain how to make a sweeping arpeggio. It does not do that. If you retitled the video to something along the lines of "we've got a free PDF you should check out because you can find out how to make this cool arpeggio", it would be a good video because it would be accurate to the contents of the video.

    • @PanopticMotion
      @PanopticMotion 2 дні тому

      ​@@HackMusicTheory I really appreciate your PDF tutorials. Thank you for making them available.

    • @alexielraynes6265
      @alexielraynes6265 2 дні тому

      Right

  • @JasonKeisling
    @JasonKeisling 2 дні тому

    Beautiful work!

  • @HackMusicTheory
    @HackMusicTheory 2 дні тому

    ► Free PDF • hackmusictheory.com/album/2639559/sweeping-arpeggios

  • @TienHoangDinh
    @TienHoangDinh 3 дні тому

    Thank u very much 💯❤️

  • @commenter621
    @commenter621 8 днів тому

    Thanks this helped a lot!

  • @SerkanKabak25
    @SerkanKabak25 9 днів тому

    Which software / website are you using to make your music?

    • @HackMusicTheory
      @HackMusicTheory 9 днів тому

      We use www.reaper.fm but there's lots of free Digital Audio Workstation's too, just search UA-cam for best free DAWs :)

  • @kalefenneman7637
    @kalefenneman7637 9 днів тому

    I think it's more three issues. Very similar tone, mixing/fx, and songwriting. I think it sounds heavy, but if it's dynamically flat and samey the ear will tune out. You mix guitars tuned to e, in a well arranged song, it will bang! And I use tunings as low as drop e on 8s.

  • @Antonwalnuts
    @Antonwalnuts 10 днів тому

    i swear to god i’ve heard that in hotline miami

  • @valeriandementen4596
    @valeriandementen4596 10 днів тому

    Hello from belgium, on my way to watch a lot of your videos to improve my composing skills (still no idea what kind of music I make, but I love it)

    • @HackMusicTheory
      @HackMusicTheory 9 днів тому

      Aw thanks my friend, I'm so happy to hear you're finding the videos helpful. Really appreciate you being here, and welcome to the Hack Music Theory community! Ray :)

  • @leons.kennedy4582
    @leons.kennedy4582 16 днів тому

    I actually prefer your version. I can listen to the last seconds over and over. It sounds so melancholic...

  • @netezefor931
    @netezefor931 17 днів тому

    so would it be a nice strategy to make a melody out of one-note rythm layout instead of making one and cheking it after?

  • @BinglesP
    @BinglesP 18 днів тому

    Thank you!!! I find it so hard to make music in GarageBand. I already sort of knew the one-note rule, but I often get into the pitfall of it sounding way too even to be interesting, and sometimes avoiding things I shouldn't like rests or offbeats. I'm thankful for having been recommended such a helpful and straightforward video!

  • @chazzzzzzz
    @chazzzzzzz 18 днів тому

    Interesting how Mikael Akerfeldt has the same approach in Opeth’s latest albums :)

  • @clementZanims
    @clementZanims 19 днів тому

    the book is insane, it is litterally what i was looking for, a simple yet complete way to understand the therms and what the hell im suppose to look for x) and it is a great introduction, now i can research my shit and i finally understand what was blocking me for now months x) im not even paid to say this lol

  • @ortapmusic
    @ortapmusic 20 днів тому

    im a beginner composer, and your vids help a lot! :)

  • @MiggiMixtapes
    @MiggiMixtapes 21 день тому

    humans hate predictability, suprise essential in good music

  • @crazysico1216
    @crazysico1216 22 дні тому

    The Djend !

  • @escueladeartesemocionales
    @escueladeartesemocionales 23 дні тому

    the single note melody is an amazing trick. Definitively Im using it from now on

  • @Logi_music
    @Logi_music 23 дні тому

    Our brains get bored if there's too much repetition Minimalism 💀

  • @bozonerdidiot
    @bozonerdidiot 25 днів тому

    0:45 since when did bunny walter white and eminem make a baby

  • @saent_bass
    @saent_bass 25 днів тому

    Dubstep producer here and this is exactly how I write all of my basslines. Write the drums, lay down the bassline rhythm with a single note, then add variations to the notes. And that’s just the sub, then I’ll chop that midi clip up and start designing different synth patches for different segments of the midi and layering those over the sub.

  • @thehajo1081
    @thehajo1081 26 днів тому

    Man your introduction sentence at 1:26 was just gold!! Loved the quote <3

  • @drrodopszin
    @drrodopszin 26 днів тому

    The melody at the start sounded exactly how keyboard players write them. I heard these turned into lines by AI versions of known singers; I highly recommend this approach to see the staggering contrast between melody lines written by singers for the character of the singer, versus lines formulated by tip-tapping notes from a scale. My advice? Practice these rhythm hacks with your voice with whatever lyrics come to your lips.

  • @w.d.gaster1142
    @w.d.gaster1142 29 днів тому

    T.

  • @deansykes2647
    @deansykes2647 Місяць тому

    This is a great tip!

  • @UHHPIA
    @UHHPIA Місяць тому

    jesus christ loves you all!

  • @ILiekFishes
    @ILiekFishes Місяць тому

    is this why I tap along to the melody?

  • @AppaBoy
    @AppaBoy Місяць тому

    Thanks

  • @SoggySandwich80
    @SoggySandwich80 Місяць тому

    What is the meshuggah song

  • @RealGarfield
    @RealGarfield Місяць тому

    Funny, I recognised the bassline from the 2013 track Pursuit by Gesaffelstein! Great video and good tips!

  • @maxsperanza
    @maxsperanza Місяць тому

    this video is sauce. ty

  • @Marcnshae2011
    @Marcnshae2011 Місяць тому

    So cool! Thx 🎉😮!!

  • @Prod.KadoKajo
    @Prod.KadoKajo Місяць тому

    yoo this shit helps, thank you lots

  • @pushPa37419
    @pushPa37419 Місяць тому

    Thanks! this is very useful, i always use 1/4 note pattern without off note

  • @KoMa3D777
    @KoMa3D777 Місяць тому

    Djentriffication?

  • @Ari_Infinite18100
    @Ari_Infinite18100 Місяць тому

    matpats next channel name

  • @PumpyGT
    @PumpyGT Місяць тому

    It's crazy how this channel is still making videos despite not quite appeasing the algorithm Oh how I appreciate the existence of you two

    • @mrjayden17
      @mrjayden17 7 днів тому

      pumpygt your here too??

  • @GodtierWaifu
    @GodtierWaifu Місяць тому

    i cant even play an instrument why is this in my recommended 💀💀💀 banger video tho

  • @yWarde
    @yWarde Місяць тому

    Is this the A-Minor that drake likes? Huh??

  • @SassyDirt
    @SassyDirt Місяць тому

    woah the outro goes hard

  • @michaelmyers4943
    @michaelmyers4943 Місяць тому

    3:35 Aw it's in Drake's favorite key

  • @fishrecharge
    @fishrecharge Місяць тому

    Thank you soo much for this!!!

  • @mariiodj-po8sk
    @mariiodj-po8sk Місяць тому

    yeahh very good men... what is the name of the program whwre you create the music ?