THE #1 WAY TO BE A BETTER PRODUCER & SONGWRITER (Active Listening) | Make Pop Music
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- THE #1 WAY TO BE A BETTER PRODUCER & SONGWRITER (Active Listening) | Make Pop Music
In this video we will be going over how to actively listen and analyze songs in order to reverse engineer them for your own tracks. We will be looking at Dua Lipa's song Levitating and breaking down how to analyze the melodic structure, the arrangement and production choices, and how to listen for elements that are tucked deep in a record.
*Editors Note: When I talk about the chord progression I say Fm7 but it should actually be "F#m7". I play the right chord but my mouth was moving faster than my brain. So it sounds right, but just make a quick note that it's the "F#m7" not Fm7. Also, the key is Bmin (notated on the analysis sheet correctly)
Download the Levitating Analysis Sheet:
bit.ly/31e6YYf
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My Gear:
DAW: Cubase 11 Pro
Desk: AZ Studio Workstations
Monitors: Focal Shape 65s with Focal Sub6
Interface: UAD Apollo Twin USB
MIDI Keyboard: M-Audio Code 61
Keyboards: Roland Juno DS88 & Roland Juno 106
Guitars: Fender American Professional Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Taylor 214 CE Plus
Preamps: Heritage Audio HA81A & Audient ASP800
Microphones: Slate ML-1, Shure SM7B, JZ BH-1, JZ V67, Lauten Audio LA-320, Lauten Audio LA-220, Lauten Audio LA-120, AKG P170, Sterling ST59
Camera: Panasonic G7
Lens: Panasonic 25mm f1.7
Camera Lights: Neewer LED Light Panels
Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
Run-Down of Analysis Document 1:30
Finding the Tempo 2:45
Finding the Key 3:25
Finding the Chord Progression 4:20
Dividing the Song Sections 6:00
Intro Breakdown 8:28
Verse Breakdown 9:10
Pre-Chorus Breakdown 13:40
Chorus Breakdown 15:58
Turn-Around Breakdown 19:37
Verse 2 Breakdown 19:57
Pre-Chorus 2 Breakdown 21:35
Chorus 2 Breakdown 22:22
Post-Chorus Breakdown 23:20
Bridge Breakdown 24:38
Break-down Breakdown 26:15
False Chorus Breakdown 27:15
Final Chorus Breakdown 28:10
Outro 29:45 - Hudba
*Editors Note: When I talk about the chord progression I say Fm7 but it should actually be F#m7. I play the right chord but my mouth was moving faster than my brain. So it sounds right, but just make a quick note that it's the F#m7 not Fm7.
Happens🤷🏻♂️😂👌
@@tsukkikei571 I was adding timestamps and I was like "why did I just say fm7 like 4 times without realizing it...." lolol
@@MakePopMusic Sometimes even viewers don't notice at all lol XD
I love your videos dude! thanks for bringing so amazing info all the time. just one detail Key should be Bm not F@/m7. Just because is the root note and the song start and end on Bm. Keep doing these for us. Best!
@@miguelangeldearmas5147 dude he's talkin about F#m7 chord not F#m key
Sir you dont how much of help you offer for aspiring musicians, people pay thousands of dollars to learn these techniques and you do it as a service to people it really means alot to us sir, I pray that you reach greater heights with health and a prosperous life!! Salute to you Sir
Indeed
Feel like I learn more here then I do at uni studying music🤣
where can I send the tuition bill?
I’m not studying music yet, but when I will, I probably will learn more here too hahah
@@MakePopMusic 😂
This guy deserve more everything ❤️
This was great, so much great content to take away. Would love to see more videos breaking down tracks like this!
Love this. Thanks a bunch. Super educational, nice approach to song analyzation. Keep the top content coming. :)
Hey Austin, thank you so much for taking the time and giving us this in depth explanation!
I legit needed this EXACT video. thank you so much.
Awesome! I’ve learned so much from doing covers and remakes on different genres. ❤️
Same! That used to be my go-to method!
Loved this video!! Tuned my ear to hear all the amazing details of the song. If you can, make another like this one!
This was one of the most helpful things I've seen on YT. I realized how much I was not internalizing and was great for my brain to see it all laid out in a methodical process. Took so so much from this. Can't wait to do some more of this on my own.
Man these are super awesome! Can't wait to see what I can do with this! Thanks so much MPM!
I always wanted to do breakdowns with my friend and today spending half a hour with you just felt like that, really loved your vibes, I have my own method of breakdown but this video added some new stuff in that for sure.
Thanks Brother.
I literally beg you to do more of the videos like this one🙏🏻....incredibly educational and informative ..totally love it ❤️❤️
Thank you for doing this... I thought I'd been listening closely to pop song arrangements and structures but this is another level - well, actually, another 50 levels - I was in the basement and this is in the penthouse! I'm gonna check out more of your videos...
Levitating is one of my favourite songs of the last year! So interesting to break it down like this. Thanks for this video, Austin.
Incredible tutorial. The amount of knowledge on this channel, available FREELY, is fantastic.
This is the best video on song analysis regardless of genre. Thank you so much
Awesome video. Perfect pace and filled with really useful information. Great work!
since starting my production journey, I’ve found this comes naturally. It’s one of my strongest tools right now while figuring out my producer “style”
Thanks Austin’. Would love to hear more like this. Great job!
Thank you soooo much! This was very eye opening (and ear opening 🤭) appreciate everything you do!!
I took a songwriting course in college, this video and this channel is so much better than that class. Thanks for sharing your genius ☺️
I have zero knowledge in music and you have made it so easy to understand. I'm confident that by only watching your videos, I will soon be able to produce my own songs. You're a good teacher. Thanks a lot.
When you're armed with 10 thumbs like me you use Scaler 2 to get all the chords and key. It's awesome plugin for all kind of analyzing and much much more.
So good Austin. I appreciate the clear and grounded way you share your wisdom. I'm definitely a better producer from watching you videos! Well done. Keep going!
This really helped!! Thank you. I hope you make more content like this! 🙏
I want more of this! especially with a focus on vocal melodies
Keep it up nice video
i cant thank you enough for these videos, if i ever make it one day, huge credit will go to you.
This is so useful man. Thanks a bunch already enjoying doing this for max martin stuff :)
I love this type of tutorial!! I tried to do similar analysis by myself but wasn’t able to listen to so many details like you. Would love to have more tutorials like this on other songs!! 👆🏾👆🏾👍🏻👍🏻 Maybe silk sonic’s leave the door open 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thank you for your video's. Absolute quality!
You're amazing!
You won't find anything like this in a video course. This is so much better! Thank you 😍
You will in OUR course! Haha
It was awesome! It would be nice if you do that again with more trendy songs!
You're the best Austin!
You have changed my heart with this great breakdown! I never would have thought those were guitar hits but a synth in the pre.. You are forgiven for that shirt!! Forgiven!!!!!
This is seriously really really really good!!
This is really good... the content of your channel is amazing.
That helped a lot. Great content! Thanks :)
This is literally everything that goes on in my head whenever I hear a song. Never knew there was a name for it 🤣
So insightful. thank you so much. Please do more of these in diff genres as well Thanks
Thanks !! helpful video.
great video brother thanks for making......
your super trained ears salute
this is what happens in my head every time i hear a song😂
I like it very much.Thank you for your sharing❤️
just discovering this channel..you are priceless!
Great content, thats great, thank u so much
nice!!! what i learned today : focusing very fast on specific instruments or elements while listening! Nice!
Can you do a video special about coutnermelodies?
How in the sam hell did I not realize it would as easy pulling the tempo up and down and watching the grid line up with the peaks to find the bpm? Straight up derp moment over here.
Awesome video! Thanks a lot!
It would be cool to see more active listening videos!
Great stuff in here!! Just one note, this song is actually in Bmin not F#min
I was thinking the same thing! Thought maybe I was wrong, but doesn't really matter in the end. Still great stuff in this vid.
It is Bmin. I had written the key before I played the chord containing the G.
MAN, I have been looking for such article for active listening but this video has helped alot! thank you so much and I just want to point out that 30 minutes videos are quite long! can you please reduce them I want to watch all your channel but it's kind of hard. thank you.
thanks for sharing i appreciate you lessons
I was a huge Green Day fan and it def showed in my writing and producing. I wanted to see if I could write a pop song and this is exactly what I did (I wasn't nearly as efficient as you though, I had, like, 50 post-it notes all over my desk😅).
It was very tedious in the beginning but when production started, it was like following a road map from start to finish. It worked perfectly.
Thank You 🤘🏻😊
VERY INFORMATIVE.😍
Super good information! You did a fantastic diagnosis of this song, I’m impressed.
I used to do this back in the late 80s and early 90s in the early hip hop era.
My main question is where can you find a singer or real vocal stylist coach to get singers to even understand what major label singers do. They sound like they are relaxed while delivering extremely powerful vocal energy and expressions regardless of having a fantastic natural voice.
Where are those singers or the coaches they use?
That’s my missing link.
Thanks,
Sumbi
more like this austin! thanks to you
Legend Austin
Changed my life
Man this is great stuff. It's kinda funny; it was listening to Dua Lipa that led me here, now I'm learning how to produce better by listening to more of her songs.
Also, the key is actually B minor, not F# minor.
I can see the glow on your face and your energy also these you are doing the workout.
Top Job!
THANK YOU!!
Lovely
Sweet, cheers.
Thank you. Thanks to your video, I am studying music well. Please continue to make good videos. Please understand that I use a translator.
Never heard this song before but the songwriters must have had The ketchup song with LAS ketchup in their head when they wrote the verse... awsome video as always.. and please do a how to make a pop country video preferably with Lady A - What if I never get over you” as a reference with the harmonies 🙂
They had OutKast in their head instead. Dua lipa even credited them for it
Yeh! U did = Tks Sensei
Can you talk about how to make a song like BANNERS’ Someone To You? It’s energy is just so different and unique from any other songs and really powerful
Interesting way to figure out the tempo... I would have reached for Tempo Detection! Good to see an alternate way of doing it.
That could work. This method is almost always just a little quicker for me (:
Hi Ausnin, i love your channel!
Would you consider doing a funk pop song tutorial in the style of Halsey?
Thank you for all of your videos 😊
Jon bellion vocal processing tutorial PLEASEEEE
Amazing stuff, keep it up!
I’m horrible at defining genres lol. I usually just call it FIFA music haha...but would you consider doing a video over Judah & the Lion, Ben Rector, Smallpools sound? You’re a legend by the way
I literally tell people I listen to alternative. Everything fits into alternative lol
your ears are amazing to pick all this out so quickly...very curious how you don't get a copyright issue? How do you wrangle that? Or does if fall under "fair use"? Regardless...awesome content as usual!
They just take all the ad revenue. We just don’t make any money from the video but no actual strike or anything. No biggie. It’s worth it to teach the technique.
@@MakePopMusic wow! well...thanks for taking one for the team... it's pretty amazing to get a glimpse inside your mind when you're figuring this stuff out...appreciate it!
Tnx
please activate the subtitles!
Thank you very much for your information, it is very valuable!😀👍👍👍
Hello Austin and all Austin's music kids :) is any simple idea to choose for vocal buses: hall + room, or plate + hall, bright long reverb + hall + plate ? Is any idea for example: ballad: plate + room etc. How to choose it ? Regards from PL :)
PLEASE MAKE A KPOP TUTORIAL
I tend to think that the correct key is Bm and not F#m. Isn’t so? Other than that, what an video! Thanks a lot!
thought the same thing too Bmin feels right
I think we need a tutorial but without using the add ons. Although it sounds amazing with them, it would be great if you could teach us a way to make it sound good without them if you get what I mean.
Is it too much if i ask for a series with this type of analysis videos!!?
I'm Levitating!!!!!!
I had question about vocal do we need to edit and tuning every vocal specialy when working with a great singer does it need to do some editing and tuning or just leave it as it is????
I mean singers like Sam Smith or Bruno Mars who are great singers do they tune their vocal?
I actually am more interested in how you go about learning how to identify the key of the song and the chords. Like what is the best way to start learning that skill.
I'm not that great at this stuff either but the key is really easy to find. Just learn what a major scale sounds and looks like and figure out which notes sound right over the song using a guitar or piano. As soon as you've found 4 or 5 notes you've usually figured out the key already based on what a major scale looks like. Same goes for minor songs. It's just that the root now is the relative minor key. You can check whether u got the key right on the internet.
Once you figured out the key, chords are a lot easier to find. At first it's probably easiest to start figuring out the chords using a snippet of the song that has just the chords going on and an instrument. In case of doubt just a loop a particular chord in your daw until you've found the chord on the piano or so. If you don't have an instrument just identify whether a chord is major or minor and pitch a chord in midi up and down until it sounds the same (any basic major or minor key just has 3 major and 3 minor chords).
This obviously only works for songs that don't use "special" keys and complex out of key chords but it should work for most pop songs. Sorry for the lengthy comment. I hope it does give you an idea on where to start. Also if you don't know basic music theory I'd really recommend 12 tones building blocks playlist (it's only an hour long and covers pretty much all the basics).
Practice ear training. There's a website called tonedear, you can learn how to identify chords, intervals etc :)
Oh fuck yeah bud!!
Measure vs Bar is a good point. I think they are interchangeable. Except, I tend to use the word “bar” when I am going to follow it with the word “beat.” So I would say “bar 3 beat 2” and not “measure 3 beat 2.” I’m pretty sure it’s the same though. 🤷🏾♂️😂🤣
All the interchangeable semantics of music are by far the hardest part. Hahaha
@@MakePopMusic LOL. True!
I believe the key is Bm, not F#m
Deffos Bmin. Isn’t that synth in the beginning a choir/vocal sample rather that a synth?
I learn a lot from this channel and recommend it to a lot of people. Keep it up boys!
I changed it to Bmin. I spoke too fast. Nah. It's definitely a synth sample. Just heard someone confirm the producer said it was the first patch he pulled up on a vintage Roland synth (can't remember which one exactly). Could be a hybrid patch with a vocal sample tucked under, but you could easily make something identical in a synth :D
@@MakePopMusic all good dude! That’s really cool. I find that sound very interesting. I’m gonna Google to see if I can find out more about it. Low key hoping it’s a JUNO 60 hahaha. Love your work bro! Xoxo
Is it necessary to know music theory when doing music ?
Hey Austin. Hope you don’t mind if I provide some constructive criticism. You clearly can expertly dissect this song and communicate what you are hearing and observing. But you describe this vid as “how to listen to a song” yet you didn’t once mention any suggestions or guidance on what you’re listening for. We all know you can do it. Help us learn how to listen like you do. e.g. “I’m listening to identify the main parts that drive this song” or “ what parts make this song groove? On this song it’s the bass part and kick” or whatever. “What sticks in the listener’s mind when they hear this song?”Just want to help others get the most from your vids like this one. Thanks and much respect.
Fair observation! I think I just skipped over that because I assumed it would be discernible when I was breaking down elements, but in the future I will lay it out even more basically.
@@MakePopMusic Sounds great and thanks Austin
Hi
Question: how you prevent this video from getting a copyright strike? Plz help
We don’t. They copyright it and get all of the ad revenue it makes. So this video makes us no money. Hahaha
We’ve never gotten a “strike” where it counts against the channel. We just get a “claim” which means the copyright owners keep all of our revenue from the video.
What you call a “False chorus” is what this site calls a “Down Chorus” (basically a chorus on a breakdown) fretboardanatomy.com/verse-chorus-bridge/. Maybe a normal chorus is a “Drop Chorus” because it is over a beat drop.
Is there anyone as pro as this dude on FL studio?
make a video on reverse engineering this song
The key is Bmin not F# Minor