Theory would be part of it, and you'll learn something new everday. I've been messing with beats for 5 years and I still suck. Lol. Nothing is up to par for me. Ear training is definetly number one. If you're doing this just to make beats then I suggest learning layering, it will take you very far. Layering will also help you train your ears, and as far as layering goes, EQ the hell out of stuff because it makes things sound so much better.
For the beginning producer it's going to get very frustrating but when you get to the point where you actually learn things, it's awesome.
Note | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
C | Unison | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | M7 | P8 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
D | - | Unison | M2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | m7 | P8 | - | - | - | - | - |
E | - | - | Unison | m2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | m6 | m7 | P8 | - | - | - | - |
F | - | - | - | Unison | M2 | M3 | A4 | P5 | M6 | M7 | P8 | - | - | - |
G | - | - | - | - | Unison | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | m7 | P8 | - | - |
A | - | - | - | - | - | Unison | M2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | m6 | m7 | P8 | - |
B | - | - | - | - | - | - | Unison | m2 | m3 | P4 | d5 | m6 | m7 | P8 |
Note | C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | A | B |
C | P8 | m7 | m6 | P5 | P4 | m3 | m2 | Unison | - | - | - | - | - | - |
D | - | P8 | m7 | M6 | P5 | P4 | m3 | M2 | Unison | - | - | - | - | - |
E | - | - | P8 | M7 | M6 | P5 | P4 | M3 | M2 | Unison | - | - | - | - |
F | - | - | - | P8 | m7 | m6 | d5 | P4 | m3 | m2 | Unison | - | - | - |
G | - | - | - | - | P8 | m7 | m6 | P5 | P4 | m3 | M2 | Unison | - | - |
A | - | - | - | - | - | P8 | m7 | m6 | P5 | P4 | M3 | M2 | Unison | - |
B | - | - | - | - | - | - | P8 | M7 | M6 | P5 | A4 | M3 | M2 | Unison |
Word | Concept/meaning |
Tonic | Note number 1 in the scale/mode or Chord I/i |
Super-tonic | Note number 2 in the scale/mode or Chord II/ii, the note a step above the tonic |
Mediant | Note number 3 in the scale/mode or Chord III/iii, the note half-way between the tonic and the dominant |
Sub-Dominant | Note number 4 in the scale/mode or Chord IV/iv, the note 5 notes below the tonic |
Dominant | Note number 5 in the scale/mode or Chord V/v, the note 5 notes above the tonic |
Sub-Mediant | Note number 6 in the scale/mode or Chord VI/vi, the note half way between the tonic and the sub-dominant on the way down |
Leading tone | Note number 1 in the scale/mode or Chord VII/vii, the note immediately below the tonic |
F | G | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
Sub-Dominant | Sub-Mediant | Leading Tone | Tonic | Super Tonic | Mediant | Dominant |
half-step = semi-tone H = S whole-step = tone W = T
I know everything up to intervals from then on I'm lost. It's not that I'm too lazy, it's that I really don't care. I'm not scoring a big band composition or a jazz trio. I'm flipping samples and creating hip hop instrumentals. Shoot, I don't even know what chords I'm playing or what key I'm in...
I do what sounds good.
Thats easy to say. But there is so much to learn I get overwhelmed and confused where to start and what exercises I can do to improve.