Finally got it! One more question though :|

[DJOryx]

I`ve been researching for some time, and I haven`t found out what makes the great DJs` tracks so great. I`ve been putting notes randomly, writing what I liked. Now I understand that with the usage of scales I can produce far better.

I still have a question. What kind of scales and chord progressions are commonly used in trance? As for now I`m thinking about Harmonic Minor, but are there others? I`d like to produce trance in the style of AvB, PvD, so you know what I`m talkin `bout

Thanks in advance,
Oryx

[Acoustiks]

Originally Posted by DJOryx

I`ve been researching for some time, and I haven`t found out what makes the great DJs` tracks so great. I`ve been putting notes randomly, writing what I liked. Now I understand that with the usage of scales I can produce far better.

I still have a question. What kind of scales and chord progressions are commonly used in trance? As for now I`m thinking about Harmonic Minor, but are there others? I`d like to produce trance in the style of AvB, PvD, so you know what I`m talkin `bout

Thanks in advance,
Oryx

I tend to use the Aeolian mode, in C usually. I use it a lot actually.

[Acoustiks]

Originally Posted by Bubble Wrap

I just do what sounds good to me
I dont think i like following scales, they hinder my creativity
I like to use all whole steps which creates an eerie mysterious vibe
keep in mind though I am an experimental artist
If you want to do mainstream music, you need to do follow western musical rules like scales, unless you want to do goa than i think thats more eastern.
but if you want to be a great producer learn to do your own thing. All great artists become great by breaking the rules, not by copying whos popular
Its better to be misunderstood then to be mediocre.

So are you implying that following scales make someone "mediocre"? I understand the part about "breaking the rules" but the "rules" must be understood before they are "broken". The way you go about making music is no better than the way I go about making it.

If you feel that by some chance you are better then me because you use your little Whole Tone mode, well, in your eyes, you're always going to be better.

What makes a producer is the sounds that he/she uses, the textures, the rhythms, stuff like that.

Not following any music scale is equivalent to a child hammering mindlessly at a keyboard.

Plus, you must be forgetting that you can change scales and modes at whim. Go from a Dorian scale to a petatonic scale, then into a Locrian mode.

--
This is one of the more closeminded things I've heard here in DI.

[Bubble Wrap]

Originally Posted by Acoustiks

So are you implying that following scales make someone "mediocre"? I understand the part about "breaking the rules" but the "rules" must be understood before they are "broken". The way you go about making music is no better than the way I go about making it.

If you feel that by some chance you are better then me because you use your little Whole Tone mode, well, in your eyes, you're always going to be better.

What makes a producer is the sounds that he/she uses, the textures, the rhythms, stuff like that.

Not following any music scale is equivalent to a child hammering mindlessly at a keyboard.

Plus, you must be forgetting that you can change scales and modes at whim. Go from a Dorian scale to a petatonic scale, then into a Locrian mode.

--
This is one of the more closeminded things I've heard here in DI.

your right that does come across as close minded.
I was trying to say that just because you dont use standard systems that doesnt mean your not a great artist.
I meant to say trying to sound like ATB or paul van diek makes you sound mediocre, not the usage of scales

[Xyz_39808]

Originally Posted by Acoustiks

I tend to use the Aeolian mode, in C usually. I use it a lot actually.

That's natural minor you bastard :P

I've grown quite fond of Dorian actually.

But just learn to really use the leading tone, if in C, B, if in Eb, D etc... to loop back to a I.

Or maybe not even, try modulation. That could be a really high point to reach in a climax when you finally get back to I.

[Acoustiks]

Originally Posted by Bubble Wrap

your right that does come across as close minded.
I was trying to say that just because you dont use standard systems that doesnt mean your not a great artist.
I meant to say trying to sound like ATB or paul van diek makes you sound mediocre, not the usage of scales

Oh, I see. Yes, that is true.

Originally Posted by Xyz_39808

That's natural minor you bastard :P

Oh. Hahahaah. I never learned it as that. Basically it's the same thing.

[Xyz_39808]

not basically, it is!

edit: minimal techno occasionally uses atonal stuff.

[Bubble Wrap]

Originally Posted by Xyz_39808

not basically, it is!

edit: minimal techno occasionally uses atonal stuff.

I'm actually really into minimal techno now

I got some stuff from minilogue

[DJOryx]

Oops I expressed myself wrongly :P I don`t want my music, melody, patterns etc to be like AvB, PvD etc, I want my music to be just as emotional as theirs :P

And thanks for the tips

[sidran]

I tend to favor d minor, myself, though apparently I have written tracks in D Mixolydian mode as well (according to my music theory major friend). But, my (albeit limited) knowledge of music theory definitely helped out a lot. That, and I tend to analyze most trance music I come across and try to pick out ideas and concepts from them that I can use in my stuff too. It has helped out tremendously.

[Erkenfresh]

I've been using natural minor scales myself. They sound pretty nice.

As for chord progressions, I-IV-V works pretty good, and it's commonly used in trance. I kind of like to do I-IV-V-IV in one measure, then I-IV-V-I on the following measure. Or you could do I-I-IV-V. I think a lot of trance also does I, then V from the octave below, then IV-IV, then back to I on the next measure. Have fun with that!