K
KnockOut
Guest
NOTE: I'm creating this topic for TWO REASONS. First, I'm genuinely interested in what people have to say... and SECONDLY, I'm going to use what we compile for my website. *Now before you think I'm 'plotting' a way to steal ideas or thoughts, understand that there isn't going to be ideas or thoughts to steal. These are personal feelings WE have as musicians, and I'm ONLY putting this topic on my site, (simply copying and pasting the text,) - because I never see topics like this created, and it's the aspect of music I love to discuss. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE YOUR REPLY ON MY SITE, either say so in your post, or don't post at all. Again, I'm not trying to 'pull a fast one' here, because there isn't a 'fast one' to pull. There's nothing I'd be copying and pasting that's benefiting me or my site in anyway. I'm just trying to create a document/page that's an aspect of music I'm curious about, and I seldomly hear discussed. Now what the hell is the topic??
*MUSIC IN YOUR HEAD*
- I'm a decent writer. I'm a musician. I'm 20 years old and I've been producing 'hip hop' instrumentals since I was 13. (I still think the term "hip hop beats" sounds corny for some reason lol. When you call yourself a "hip hop producer," it makes you sound like the other 100 billion people on the planet who give themself the same title and half the time can't produce at all! This is why I refer to myself as a musician. A lot of times you'll tell somebody that you make music, and thier reply will be, "what kind?" When you respond, "hip hop/rap beats," - people who aren't a fan of the genre tend to think of less of your talents. Already they downplay your ability to make music because for some reason, rap is stereotipically portrayed as "not real music." (We all know we've heard it lol.) But this topic is beyond rap, because not everybody at this message board produces rap music. I was just stating that I do, and my reasons are just. A hip hop beat can be ANYTHING, and this is what draws me to exclusively make rap oriented instrumentals. Composing a symphony usually incorperates your violens, cellos, snare drums, bass drums, flutes, pianos, etc... a lot of instruments, but rarely anything you'd want, because an electric guitar doesn't fit the tipical classical music standard. A rap beat on the other hand, can be synths, (which aren't even instruments to begin with!) - on top of several different instruments most composers would never dream of incorperating. For example - I've made a bagpipe beat with electric guitars and bells. (I'm not implying that this is the wildest combination of all time, but you see what I'm getting at it.)
- Anyway. I was in band in 5th grade playing percussion, stuck with it until 8th grade, got diagnosed with cancer - could no longer go to school or play in band - took it upon myself to learn various instruments, and the rest is history. (Not looking for pitty, just giving you some backround on the origins of my ambitions to make music in the first place.) I've always felt like I was a curious kid, and a deep thinker. I guess you could even say an 'over-analyzer,' - because as a producer, I'm constantly listening to people rap and sing, and I'm a perfectionist. (In my opinion, a synonym FOR producer IS perfectionist.) If you spit a hot line and the syllables don't fit, change it up. If you have a good voice but a note you hit wasn't just the right pitch, it's time for another take. I'm sure a ton of people are relating to this.
- Back to my 'childhood deep thinking,' and its relation to my music. This is where the topic for me gets harder to word and explain.
+ I use a term constantly called "classic melody," - and I'm sure other people do too. But do other people use it the way I do?? Sometimes I hear a melody, (or sometimes even a sound,) that for some strange reason just sounds familiar to me... even if I've never heard the song before. I notice this feeling mostly when I'm listening to classic music - and the only way I can descibe it is strange. It's never a whole entire song, usually just a fragment - but it happens every so often and it's mind boggling. How can I hear a melody for the first time and mentally have like, a connection to it?? I have no clue, but what I do know is that music is seriously a feeling. Have you ever heard a song that gives you goosebumps?? It's good music man... and good music exists, (just like BAD music exists lol.) Hopefully some of you are saying, "holy ****, I know what this kid is talking about, the same thing happens to me sometimes!" Not the goosebumps, but the "classic melodies" I was refering to. With this said, I just want artists out there to realize that it should never take 10 albums to get yourself noticed or 'create a hit.' If your music is goosebump material, it'll get itself noticed - and the chances are good that you are one of the few people who's naturally blessed with the ability to make that "classic" music. (Again, not classic in terms of Bach compositions, but 'classic' in terms of that music that gives people a real feeling inside.) Sounds corny, and girly, but **** it - it's what I felt like discussing with everybody.
- What feelings do you get? I can tell you right now that if you don't have natural feelings when creating your ****, you're most likely forcing creativity and the end result is NEVER good music. Look at all the generic club songs you hear in the rap game right now, (or for that matter, the sobby alternative music about your girlfriend leaving you...) - the TRUE catchy-ness to these 'hits' that are played on the radio over and over again is the music behind it!! It's the beat that's catchy, or the guitar riff... (and ok, I'll admit it: occasionally the choruses,) - but you see what I'm saying. When the catchy-ness IS in the choruses, I respect that, because whoever wrote the chorus has that natural mental spark I'm refering to.
- Now. When I create my beats, I'll usually start with a basic piano key and fondle with a melody. This is where our replies get personal, - because fondling to me isn't playing with the melody until it 'makes sense.' Fondling to me is playing with the melody until I create what's going on in my head, and BECAUSE A MELODY USUALLY JUST NATURALLY COMES TO ME, I never really even NEED to fondle!! (Read that again lol, it makes sense.) I'll start to play something, and the ending of it just comes to me instantly... not because "it'll work," but because it's what I can just feel would be the perfect ending. It's wierd, but I know somebody can relate. Basically, I'm never just experimenting - because when you have that ability to know what sounds good, it's already there. Am I implying that I'm more talented than the next musician? Hell no. I think you can base just off this topic that I'm not ignorant, and that I seriously don't think I'm superior to anybody. I just firmly believe that when the music's in you, it's in you.
- Same goes for sounds. Sometimes I'll use a sound that I feel NO OTHER SOUND IN THE WORLD could pull off as perfectly. It's wierd. Kanye West once said that he can SEE his music in his head - and whether he meant it litterally or not - I kind of know what he means. I don't mentally paint a picture, (or SEE anything,) - but the best fit for the sound or melody just kind of comes to me in an instant spark. I originally had a ton more written in this topic, but when I tried to post - I was logged out. I logged in, and I was no longer on the "create topic" page where I'm typing now. It's BS, but whatever, I'll just sum it up now.
- How does music come to you. DOES music come to you?? If you find yourself playing with a melody until it "works," than the chances are good that you're forcing it. If it comes naturally, than the end result is usually something you feel like you could show ANYBODY - and anybody would think what you thought upon making it. (It's sounds good, and makes sense...) I'm looking forward to some intelligent responses, but to those of you who feel "too cool" or "too busy" to type a lot, I'm looking foward to your contribution as well. You can clearly see that there's nothing I can steal here. It's personal ****, and personal responses that I can't use to benefit myself in anyway. I can't take somebody else's music making method and "try it out" lol, it doesn't work that way. I just hope you don't read what I typed above and make no sense of it what-so-ever. I'm sure some of you out there will understand.
*MUSIC IN YOUR HEAD*
- I'm a decent writer. I'm a musician. I'm 20 years old and I've been producing 'hip hop' instrumentals since I was 13. (I still think the term "hip hop beats" sounds corny for some reason lol. When you call yourself a "hip hop producer," it makes you sound like the other 100 billion people on the planet who give themself the same title and half the time can't produce at all! This is why I refer to myself as a musician. A lot of times you'll tell somebody that you make music, and thier reply will be, "what kind?" When you respond, "hip hop/rap beats," - people who aren't a fan of the genre tend to think of less of your talents. Already they downplay your ability to make music because for some reason, rap is stereotipically portrayed as "not real music." (We all know we've heard it lol.) But this topic is beyond rap, because not everybody at this message board produces rap music. I was just stating that I do, and my reasons are just. A hip hop beat can be ANYTHING, and this is what draws me to exclusively make rap oriented instrumentals. Composing a symphony usually incorperates your violens, cellos, snare drums, bass drums, flutes, pianos, etc... a lot of instruments, but rarely anything you'd want, because an electric guitar doesn't fit the tipical classical music standard. A rap beat on the other hand, can be synths, (which aren't even instruments to begin with!) - on top of several different instruments most composers would never dream of incorperating. For example - I've made a bagpipe beat with electric guitars and bells. (I'm not implying that this is the wildest combination of all time, but you see what I'm getting at it.)
- Anyway. I was in band in 5th grade playing percussion, stuck with it until 8th grade, got diagnosed with cancer - could no longer go to school or play in band - took it upon myself to learn various instruments, and the rest is history. (Not looking for pitty, just giving you some backround on the origins of my ambitions to make music in the first place.) I've always felt like I was a curious kid, and a deep thinker. I guess you could even say an 'over-analyzer,' - because as a producer, I'm constantly listening to people rap and sing, and I'm a perfectionist. (In my opinion, a synonym FOR producer IS perfectionist.) If you spit a hot line and the syllables don't fit, change it up. If you have a good voice but a note you hit wasn't just the right pitch, it's time for another take. I'm sure a ton of people are relating to this.
- Back to my 'childhood deep thinking,' and its relation to my music. This is where the topic for me gets harder to word and explain.
+ I use a term constantly called "classic melody," - and I'm sure other people do too. But do other people use it the way I do?? Sometimes I hear a melody, (or sometimes even a sound,) that for some strange reason just sounds familiar to me... even if I've never heard the song before. I notice this feeling mostly when I'm listening to classic music - and the only way I can descibe it is strange. It's never a whole entire song, usually just a fragment - but it happens every so often and it's mind boggling. How can I hear a melody for the first time and mentally have like, a connection to it?? I have no clue, but what I do know is that music is seriously a feeling. Have you ever heard a song that gives you goosebumps?? It's good music man... and good music exists, (just like BAD music exists lol.) Hopefully some of you are saying, "holy ****, I know what this kid is talking about, the same thing happens to me sometimes!" Not the goosebumps, but the "classic melodies" I was refering to. With this said, I just want artists out there to realize that it should never take 10 albums to get yourself noticed or 'create a hit.' If your music is goosebump material, it'll get itself noticed - and the chances are good that you are one of the few people who's naturally blessed with the ability to make that "classic" music. (Again, not classic in terms of Bach compositions, but 'classic' in terms of that music that gives people a real feeling inside.) Sounds corny, and girly, but **** it - it's what I felt like discussing with everybody.
- What feelings do you get? I can tell you right now that if you don't have natural feelings when creating your ****, you're most likely forcing creativity and the end result is NEVER good music. Look at all the generic club songs you hear in the rap game right now, (or for that matter, the sobby alternative music about your girlfriend leaving you...) - the TRUE catchy-ness to these 'hits' that are played on the radio over and over again is the music behind it!! It's the beat that's catchy, or the guitar riff... (and ok, I'll admit it: occasionally the choruses,) - but you see what I'm saying. When the catchy-ness IS in the choruses, I respect that, because whoever wrote the chorus has that natural mental spark I'm refering to.
- Now. When I create my beats, I'll usually start with a basic piano key and fondle with a melody. This is where our replies get personal, - because fondling to me isn't playing with the melody until it 'makes sense.' Fondling to me is playing with the melody until I create what's going on in my head, and BECAUSE A MELODY USUALLY JUST NATURALLY COMES TO ME, I never really even NEED to fondle!! (Read that again lol, it makes sense.) I'll start to play something, and the ending of it just comes to me instantly... not because "it'll work," but because it's what I can just feel would be the perfect ending. It's wierd, but I know somebody can relate. Basically, I'm never just experimenting - because when you have that ability to know what sounds good, it's already there. Am I implying that I'm more talented than the next musician? Hell no. I think you can base just off this topic that I'm not ignorant, and that I seriously don't think I'm superior to anybody. I just firmly believe that when the music's in you, it's in you.
- Same goes for sounds. Sometimes I'll use a sound that I feel NO OTHER SOUND IN THE WORLD could pull off as perfectly. It's wierd. Kanye West once said that he can SEE his music in his head - and whether he meant it litterally or not - I kind of know what he means. I don't mentally paint a picture, (or SEE anything,) - but the best fit for the sound or melody just kind of comes to me in an instant spark. I originally had a ton more written in this topic, but when I tried to post - I was logged out. I logged in, and I was no longer on the "create topic" page where I'm typing now. It's BS, but whatever, I'll just sum it up now.
- How does music come to you. DOES music come to you?? If you find yourself playing with a melody until it "works," than the chances are good that you're forcing it. If it comes naturally, than the end result is usually something you feel like you could show ANYBODY - and anybody would think what you thought upon making it. (It's sounds good, and makes sense...) I'm looking forward to some intelligent responses, but to those of you who feel "too cool" or "too busy" to type a lot, I'm looking foward to your contribution as well. You can clearly see that there's nothing I can steal here. It's personal ****, and personal responses that I can't use to benefit myself in anyway. I can't take somebody else's music making method and "try it out" lol, it doesn't work that way. I just hope you don't read what I typed above and make no sense of it what-so-ever. I'm sure some of you out there will understand.
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