In music related news, I've come to some kind of rough decision. I've decided to start writing songs, not just some random string arrangements or 1 minute piano songs, no
( Read more... )
To do strings properly, buy a book on strings. It helps massively. Avoiding parallel octaves and all that jazz is one thing, but you need to know what strings to use (the G string on the violin is the most expressive, for example), what range to use, et cetera. I have a book on orchestration which is good too, but might be a bit too much.
Also, with songs, you can never know too much theory, and you can never listen to too much music. Also, look up some jazz harmony, it's very useful, I'm finding. And finally, make ABSOLUTELY SURE you know the essentials; jazz-pop chord progressions, and so on, absolutely completely. Assimilate them. That's the problem I'm running into a lot at the moment. It's holding my writing back no end, especially when I'm doing stuff that has hidden harmony and pedal tones and stuff. You can read books upon books of basic harmony, and it IS basic. This is absolutely and utterly quintessential, and I would've done good to listen to it.
I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing you; I may well be wrong about this stuff, because I'm only learning too. But this is what I've noticed.
Also, with songs, you can never know too much theory, and you can never listen to too much music. Also, look up some jazz harmony, it's very useful, I'm finding. And finally, make ABSOLUTELY SURE you know the essentials; jazz-pop chord progressions, and so on, absolutely completely. Assimilate them. That's the problem I'm running into a lot at the moment. It's holding my writing back no end, especially when I'm doing stuff that has hidden harmony and pedal tones and stuff. You can read books upon books of basic harmony, and it IS basic. This is absolutely and utterly quintessential, and I would've done good to listen to it.
I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing you; I may well be wrong about this stuff, because I'm only learning too. But this is what I've noticed.
Reply
Leave a comment