Why You Struggle to Make Music
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- čas přidán 17. 11. 2022
- Our free book will end your writer's block forever!
►FREE Book: HackMusicTheory.com/Books
Do you sometimes find yourself staring at a blank screen, with absolutely no ideas? Then we have the solution for preventing that from ever happening again. How can we be so confident that this solution will eliminate writer’s block? Because I’ve been writing music for over 30 years, and I’ve never had writer’s block. Ever!
So, what’s this magic solution? Music theory! I know, I know, it’s not the exciting answer you were anticipating, but it’s the truth. A solid knowledge of music theory (and how to creatively apply it) will end your writer’s block forever. How? Well, music is a form of communication, and do you struggle to communicate using your first language? Of course not!
If you want to express what you feel, you effortlessly explain it in words. And music theory empowers you to have that same effortless communication, but through music. If you want to communicate musically that you’re feeling joyful, you simply use the notes which express that emotion. And obviously the deeper your knowledge of music theory grows, the more nuanced your communication can be.
I’ve actually done a masterclass on how to turn your emotions into music. It’s called Give Writer’s Block the Finger: • 5 Steps to Give Writer...
So, you literally only need two things to overcome writer’s block forever: music theory, and feelings!
You bring the feelings, and we’ll bring the music theory! On that note, we invite you to download our free book, which will only take you 30 minutes to read. Yep, music theory really is that simple. If you’ve been confused by music theory in the past, it’s not you. You just had a bad teacher. You see, music consists of only 12 notes, and music theory is simply the relationships of those 12 notes. It’s that easy!
So, if you wanna learn music theory from Ray Harmony, a multi award-winning college lecturer who’s made music with multiplatinum Grammy-winning artists, then download our free book at HackMusicTheory.com
Now, if turning your emotions into music isn’t an approach you’re interested in, then we’ve got a completely different method for overcoming writer’s block, where you turn non-musical things into music. It’s so fun! I did a masterclass on this method as well, where I turned the phone number of my favourite vegan restaurant into a bass line. It’s called Dial A Bass Line: • Dial A Bass Line (Give...
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ABOUT
Be careful who you learn from. Most people teaching music on CZcams are not qualified in music, and they're not qualified to teach, either. Hack Music Theory is taught by Ray Harmony, a multi award-winning college lecturer who's made music with multiplatinum Grammy-winning artists.
CREDITS
© 2022 Revolution Harmony
Revolution Harmony is Kate & Ray Harmony
Script & all music in video by Revolution Harmony
Studio footage of Kate & Ray by Billie Woods
Book promo filmed & edited by Maurits Nienhuis
All stock footage courtesy of Pexels
Most stock footage from cottonbro
►5 Steps to Give Writer's Block the Finger czcams.com/video/ZUpxdASz77A/video.html
“What’s the solution? Tea” 😂😂😂
Tea is the solution to everything!
I think is tay 😂
I remember trying to write songs before I started learning some music theory. It was a nightmare of randomly picking chords or duplicating parts of what I remember from other songs.
The big change for me was learning the basics of Diatonic Chords in major and minor keys. Diatonic chords are simply triads you make from selecting every other note from the scale where the 1st note you select is the chord name itself.
Example: C major has no sharps or flats. C D E F G A B
From C note = C E G This is a C Major chord
From A note = A C E This is a A minor chord
Learning the roman numeral representations of major and minor chords is very useful as well.
Major Diatonic Chords: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii(dim)
Minor Diatonic Chords: i, ii(dim), III, iv, v, VI, VII
You may notice that the pattern of Major, minor and (dim) diminished chords stays the same. The order just changes.
Once you understand this basic information you no longer have to guess if a E chord should be Major or minor in the key of C. It's the 3rd chord so if you are in a major key it's a Em, if you are in a minor key it's an E Major.
Key of C major chords? C dm em F G am b(dim)
After you get this down there are a lot of other cool things, some break these rules but don't worry - those are the things that sound really cool. First learn the basics and you can get 90% of your songs written and they could be great. Learn some extras like secondary dominants, modes, Picardy third or what the Andalusian cadence is and you will start having a lot of cool things to add to your music.
You guys bring a smile to my face every time i see you.I wish we were in the same country so i can meet you in person, but you positive energy has no boundaries we all can feel it across the world
Kostagiannis my friend, a heartfelt thank-you for your kind comment, we're so grateful to have you here in the Hack Music Theory family, and we're extra grateful to have you in our online apprenticeship, too! By the way, what country do you live in? Sending you good vibes and gratitude. Ray :)
One thing I find super useful is keeping a pair of dice on my desk, one 12-sided for the key, and one 8-sided for the mode (7-sided aren't easy to find!)
Gives you some constraints to work within and stops you falling back on the same old keys you're familiar with (for some reason I'll always default to F Phrygian)
That's a fun approach! Thanks for sharing, Mick. Those sound like D&D dice. Do you play?
@@HackMusicTheory I don't play unfortunately (though have been tempted by the Shadowrun games which seem similar!), but I am very thankful for them making it super easy to find non-6-sided dice!
Does changing the key really make a difference? I just compose in whatever key is easiest for me to play for the chosen mode, and transpose it for vocals when it gets to that point.
To me, music theory is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle: I had no idea where to start and there seemed so much of it...but the more you figure out, the easier the rest gets.
BTW loved the candid shots of you both working together.
I can honestly say that the material on your site has helped me tremendously. Well-worth it!
Tea where’s the tea can you have or make music without tea?
I can’t!! 🤣😜
Still getting going but discovered one good road....chord progression. You can use it for pads, split into bits for bass, melody or arps....it always works as everything is in key and connected. Sometimes i just use 2 chords and even chords that feel odd together....its play for me.
I love ❤️ the message here! I never quite heard it presented this way, and I see the wisdom in your words. I’m definitely going to watch your masterclass this weekend. I know you must have a wealth of information and wisdom in the video. Thanks so very much, and I hope both of you have a wonderful weekend!
You make a great team. I genuinely love these videos. And my mother is British so yes...tea is always the answer.
Tea is the answer! But music theory probably helps too :)
Haha indeed! Tea is the solution to everything ;)
Liked at "and tea...". OK, I'm watching the rest of it now. 😂
Haha awesome!! Thanks for stopping by and connecting, my friend. Always good to see you here! What's your favourite tea these days? Ray :)
@@HackMusicTheory I'm a bit of a Lapsang Souchong fanboy, but Yunnan or Oolong are fine too. Or something from even further East like Sencha or Hojicha. Depends on the mood. 😉
You've got fine taste, my friend. And you definitely won't be suffering from Writer's Block with such fine tea in your cup ;)
Made some new music yesterday :) Using theory of course!
Can i ask for advice? How can I add a crash cymbal after a drum fill and make it sound good? Whenever I try to add a crash after the drum fill it doesn't blend well with the others
sample selection, timing, quality, eq shaping, post effects
but what do i do if i don't have feelings :/
Ok, I believe I have enough knowledge of music theory: scales, scale degrees, chord progressions, knowledge of most chords (major, minor, 7,9,6 11,13) But I sometimes find it difficult to use that knowledge to express things emotionally. What am I missing? I feel like I have all the knowledge and understand how they work but maybe I'm just not using it out of lack of experience or fear? I don't know and I feel like I need someone to help me understand how to implement theory into my music. I mean of course I use it all the time since I can't play by ear I rely heavily on music theory to compose and produce music. But I feel like there is more I can do with my knowledge. Something I haven't tried yet. I read your book and it pretty much covered everything I have learned so far. Well except my modes, I've got to practice those but I've been lazy about it
I have a question. well im just starting to make music and ik music theory is something to master but can this be applied to like orchestral instruments? i plan on making Melodic, Orchestral dubstep
btw i liked this short 2 min vid its cool
Looking good Ray you too Kate big fans from 4 hour song with Vespers I always go to you when I want a change in my music thank you for kicking butt you two!!!
This is an awesome video (music theory) is used when creative block and when you do not have a creative block there’s a magic and you channel in with the tune
a lot of producers are scared of music theory they try to make music with as little music theory as possible. music theory can be fun i am interested in learning about why certain chords produce certain emotions and why certain progressions work. music theory gets a bad rap as this boring math-like thing that people have to suffer through and that does not have to be the case at all
LOVE your comment, The Sahel. Thanks for stopping by and connecting. We're grateful to have you here in the Hack Music Theory community, and you're definitely in the right place! Please help yourself to our free book, as it answers all those questions about why certain chords produce certain emotions, and what chords go well together in progressions, etc. You can download it here: hackmusictheory.com Enjoy, and we hope to see you back here on the next video :)
gotta know the rules to break the rules (effectively)
Guys I've been out for a while and i don't know if you remember me, i was subscribed and i used to comment a lot but my account got hacked and i couldn't even read the mails
Tomorrow I'll be buying the songwriting PDF after re downloading the free one, I hope someday i can afford the courses to learn even more
i just love the positive and sweet vibe you both have. what a cool and nice couple you are!
Aw thanks, my friend, what a lovely comment. We're so grateful to have you here in the Hack Music Theory family! What kinda music do you make? Ray :)
@@HackMusicTheory its complicated... :D from ritual black metal to lofi hiphop, from drum and bass to ambient, experimental arrangements with motors, marbles, and banging on springs and cans, hooked up on pedals and other silly things. but i am lacking madly the theory, got only a bit of education when i was very young, forgot nearly all of it :)... so i like to watch your Videos to get Inspiration - and stayed bcuz of the wholesome sprit of you two :)
LOVE that diversity, my friend, you're definitely in the right place here! Regarding the theory side, have you downloaded our free book? If not, here you go: hackmusictheory.com It'll lay a solid theory foundation upon which more complex concepts will make sense :)
... But first champagne ( helps with writer's block... Then tea=)
Hahaha that's a whole different topic...
at 0:20 - thats a zoom g3pedal. ive used that as my main interface for over 10yrs now. resilient and adaptable.
👍 - _also_ for the YT algo! 😊
Yaass, music theory! No shortcuts or tricks as some people selling "chord progression packages".
Hey ray I can't download 12 music hack book .. I've tried so many times pls help me to download
Sorry to hear that, my friend. Drop me an email and I'll hook you up :) hackmusictheory.com/contact
0:23 that was funny xD
thanks for another video guys! that will definetely help many people. i dont really feel emotions often so i guess music isnt a me thing for now :/
have a nice day!
Good to see you again, my friend! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope this finds you splendidly well. Follow the 5 steps in this video and you'll be making music in no time: czcams.com/video/ZUpxdASz77A/video.html Enjoy, and I hope to see you back here on the next video! Ray :)
@@HackMusicTheory alright, i'll watch it!
OMG - Did I just see Kanye West there in the studio with you?
You look like the guy from ‘Crank’ and ‘Transporter’
I think his name is Jason Statham
Couldn't agree more :) I wish more folks would realize this than reaching for that worthless "MIDI Pack"
No, it's Music Teaory.
I agree : Tea help a lot :)
I know, right? If you've got Writer's Block, it's because you're drinking the wrong tea ;)
no, it's tea!
Haha true true! Tea is the answer for everything :)
The consumer doesn't care about theory. Dj Lil Fresh Poo Poo Mane, who has produced 9 of the top 10 billboard current streams for Drake and countless other throwaway millionaire mumble rappers, cannot find middle C on a piano.
They said how to overcome "writing blocks" not how to make millions throu making popular music, to each his own