How to Write a Layered Riff
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- 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 chords and creating harmony. This adds a beautiful depth to the riff. And yes, this technique is not new. In fact, it’s hundreds of years old and is common in classical guitar pieces. But, it’s actually rare to hear it in popular music where the guitar usually plays either chords or melody, not both at the same time. So, you’re gonna start by writing a bass line for your riff. You can make this complex, or you can keep it simple and just play the root note of each implied chord. That’s what Polyphia does here, so we’ll do that too. Also, make your bass line at least 4 bars long. We’re in the key of G minor, but whatever you use, start on the root chord to establish your key.
Step 2. Melody
Next, you’re gonna write a 2-bar melody over the top. Once you’re happy with this, then copy and paste it over the rest of your bass line. Some of your melodic notes may not sound as good over different bass notes, but just move those ones. And that actually creates some nice variation too. By repeating the melody over different bass notes you create both familiarity and freshness in your riff. It’s a very clever technique, which Polyphia nails in this intro. And by the way, if you need help writing melodies, simply follow the Melody Checklist in our Songwriting & Producing PDF, which you can download at: HackMusicTheory.com
Step 3. Spice
Lastly, to spice up your riff, you’re gonna move one bass note outside the scale. This is called a non-diatonic note. Polyphia’s intro is in the natural minor scale, but then at the end of the riff they use the 7 instead of the ♭7, which temporarily shifts the riff into harmonic minor. So, we did this too, by moving our ♭7 (F) up to the 7 (F♯). And if you find this 7 / ♭7 stuff confusing, no problem, just download our free book. It only takes 30 minutes to read, then you’ll have a solid music theory foundation! Okay, so all you need to do now is check if there’s a ♭7 in your melody above the 7 in your bass. If there is, move that ♭7 up to 7 as well, otherwise it will clash. We didn’t have a ♭7 in our melody here, so we didn’t need to change anything. Finally, if you’re playing this on guitar, you can mute a few notes for that percussive sound.
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The fast, easy & fun way to make music. 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
© 2023 Revolution Harmony
Revolution Harmony is Kate & Ray Harmony
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What artist should we cover next?
intervals or unprocessed . I would love to see what you come up with.
how about plini or intervals
I would love to see what you could come up with for Ichika Nito!!
Keep on the great work!!
andy james maybe?
@@tonygonzalez958 Plini would be sick! @hack music theory
Inspiration by the truckload! Thanks again for your dedication to the 12 notes we call music 😊👍
Hi Jef, awesome to see you, and thanks big time for your dedication to Hack Music Theory 🙏
We just published a new video on Periphery: czcams.com/video/-FARu62OQFc/video.html
Wishing you an awesome rest of your day :) Kate
Your videos seem to always influence my next session, even if I'm not doing exactly what you taught. It can be applied in so many areas. 😀 Thanks, again!
I didn't expect this video, but I wanted it
Excellent, Kira! Thanks so much for watching and connecting, what kind of music do you make?
Wishing you a great rest of your day! Kate :)
@@HackMusicTheory I started producing trap/hip hop music just for fun, that's been 3 years ago and I got to know Polyphia's style halfway through and I was impressed with their playing, because I also play guitar
(I have an intermediate level of English, I'm sorry if I have mistakes)
Awesome, Kira, thanks so much for sharing! We hope to see you around soon for more hacks, until then, take care :)
Excellent stuff
Ahh... Ray and Kate - your videos are all gold! Thank you so much especially for this one. I've been trying to write Cinematic music lately, and this solved a BIG problem I'd been having and just sitting on for the last week. You guys are my goto courses, books & etc, and this one was another gem.
You know, I have always come away from watching your videos with some excellent idea or insight, and this one is no different. You always get me making new connections! Thank you, and have a wonderful day. 🙏🙏🙏😊
Aw thanks, my friend, your kind comments always make our hearts feel all warm and fuzzy! We deeply appreciate you always taking time out of your day to watch and connect. You're awesome, Charles! Blessings and gratitude to you. Ray :)
Hello!
I am listening to Polyphia's music almost daily and specially while working. I always hear that simplicity and complexity at the same time.
Hello Muhammadreza, my friend! How absolutely wonderful to see you! How have you been? How's the music making going these days? We've been busy moving, again... but we plan to get back to regular videos, yay! Next up we'll be covering a song or two from Periphery's upcoming album. What have you been listening to lately? Again, it's so lovely to see you, Muhammadreza! Kate :)
You guys are always so amazing! Thanks for all you always do. This next week I am planning to go through the Apprenticeship course for the third time! Each time I go through it I always get something new to experiment with. Best of success and blessings for both of you always!
You are always so kind, Jose, thank you for your love and support over the many years! We're thrilled you're going through the Apprenticeship for the third time, wow!! By the way, has Puerto Rico fully recovered from the hurricane? Also, were you able to get your album released? Hope you are well, and we pray many blessings for you as well :) Kate
@@HackMusicTheory thanks for your love and support always as well and for giving us the tools to become better at what we love, Music!!! Thanks for asking about the hurricane recovery, well it's been hard and even though we are not at 100% still we are a lot better. I really appreciate your concern. My album was already sent for production so it should be released very soon. Always wishing you guys the best!
Happy to hear your album is getting closer to release, that's very exciting, Jose! Keep us posted. And I am glad to hear that although it's been a tough recovery, that things are getting better. It reminds me to be grateful every day for the blessings in my life and to take each day as it comes :) Speak soon! K
@@HackMusicTheory Amen!
Good content, thank you!
Hey derser11, happy to hear you enjoyed our new video! Thanks big time for being a part of the Hack Music Theory community, we really appreciate you. What kind of music do you make?
Hope to see you again soon for more theory hacks! Until next time, take care, Kate :)
Ray, cover Pink Floyd next.
i owe you my soul.
Wow, that's big, Dhia! We're pumped you enjoyed this one :) What kind of music do you make?
Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day, Kate :)
Great video, but I feel like moving the bass notes outside the scale sounds off..
i mean it may be the sound of the instrument they used, it sounds fine if you only think of the pitches
edit: also in theory it is gonna sound off no matter what since if you just hyperfocus on the scale for the first 3 itll be out of key, but its nice how it changes the mood of the loop
I find music theory difficult, how to start from beginning to understand it clearly
Hi Gray, thanks for stopping by! We totally understand, that's exactly why we started Hack Music Theory and why we offer our free music theory book, '12 Music Theory Hacks to Learn Scales and Chords'. It's a super fast and fun read, and it'll give you a solid theory foundation. You can download it from our website: HackMusicTheory.com. We hope to see you again soon for more theory hacks! Kate :)
👍 - _also_ for the YT algo! 😊