composing music

[GhostingFish]

So ive been so-called making music for over a year now but im faced with a problem. I cant compose. I can make 'loop-style' music but i cant make a full-blown track with variations n' such. Almost like a writers block. Dose this have to do with 'music theory' or are there techniques for composing. I can play a sick-ass tune in my head but when it comes to the computer, im dead. Help with this in any way is much appreciated.


In case you dont know my music yet..

[noname]
http://www.thebackalleys.com/dump/files/1762/633Fs_new%20trance%20song.mp3

[noname]
http://www.thebackalleys.com/dump/files/1762/660m5Y_bomm.mp3

7-21-11 session
http://www.thebackalleys.com/dump/files/1762/6054Uv_7-21-11%20sess.mp3

Moving on
http://www.thebackalleys.com/dump/files/1762/4022Mz_moving%20on%20finn.mp3

[W.A.S.I.M.]

by loopstyle do you mean that you ONLY use preset loops like a drum loop, different melody loops and put em in 1(or differeent) patterns?

[GhostingFish]

by loopstyle do you mean that you ONLY use preset loops like a drum loop, different melody loops and put em in 1(or differeent) patterns?

sorry if i am vague. I do not ever use any preset loops EVER. That is just lame to me. All the beat/percussion arrangements i compose my self. What i mean is that just the patterns i compose are looped. I can never get a real melody going..

[W.A.S.I.M.]

by loopstyle do you mean that you ONLY use preset loops like a drum loop, different melody loops and put em in 1(or differeent) patterns?

sorry if i am vague. I do not ever use any preset loops EVER. That is just lame to me. All the beat/percussion arrangements i compose my self. What i mean is that just the patterns i compose are looped. I can never get a real melody going..

i thnk i understand what youre saying, ive checked out the tracks you posted and i think they are dope as fuck.

if you want to add some variety, just duplicate a patten that contains a certain instrument and open up the keys of it and change it by a few notes, if u know what i mean

[logen]

1. learn chords
2. learn chord progressions
3. learn about harmony
4. learn about melody
5. learn about tempo
6. listen to music
7. copy style and rhythm as practice
8. repeat


Anywho, generic "simple" song construction theory:

1. short intro
2. base melody
3. change up / chill out / "relaxed" part of the music / solo / whatever, too many possibilities to list
4. base melody
5. outro

(obviously this is just ONE simple way out of the MANY structure's that can be used)

The key to changing between two parts is a new set of notes, percussion, new instruments and silence. (either one of these of a combination)

Also, just as wasim said, repeat a pattern. Usually (in your genre) something is repeated min. 4 times, but within that it either changes pitch and / or the second half of the 4th pattern's note differ, creating closure or building up into something new. There are also some cases where people change playing it between instruments. These makes it seem non-linear. Maybe they add some tid-bits in-between and other things.

A really good example on repeated patterns is the simpsons theme. A lot of people don't realize, but it's basically using the same melody over and over again, just with different instruments and some minimal variation. Just listen to it and count: how many times do you actually hear the main notes of the theme and it's slightly modified version?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqog63KOANc

The correct answer is: Twelve times. And some still wonder why it's so catchy.

Again, some also say that as a lead melody you should only use a maximum of 13 notes, more than that and it can easily become a mess. (imho this mostly applies to pop and minimal and their "catchy ring-tone" effect)

Obviously this is just one way seeing it, there are quite a few "theories" or rather "formulas" to music (and quite a few other topics that I didn't even mention). Some say you just have to feel it, some argue that you have to go by the book. All in all, every genre has it's own chords, chord progressions, and instruments that make it fit into that specific genre. It probably feels like stealing if you use these things at first, but without them it's pretty hard to achieve any sense of "feel". Imagine a military march without drums and rolls. Clearly, not really easy. And unless you're a one-of a kind genius that can make music history, you can't make it happen.

[GhostingFish]

Awesome!   Thanks you too! I shall read up on everything and check back in later. And the Simpsons theme is a great example

And Wasim. There is most likely a language terminology differences between you and I so that gives me the reason to ask this. What dose "dope as fuck" mean??

[W.A.S.I.M.]

i enjoy your music, obviously you can do better and improve but i like it for what it is right now

also logen is that dude, he knows what he talking about

[GhostingFish]

i enjoy your music, obviously you can do better and improve but i like it for what it is right now

also logen is that dude, he knows what he talking about

Thanks Wasim. That means a lot coming from you.