Writing longer tunes
category: music [glöplog]
This:
and this:
..with a dash of what LB told gargaj once.
I'm not sure if you can understand how to structure a track for DJ usage unless you DJ yourself, at least I didn't. It's not just about adding 32 (or 64, 128 or whatever) bars of beats at the start and end, but also about using elements that can be blended in a mix. Things that doesn't make sense on it's own (like looping a small section of a hook for two minutes over the intro) suddenly becomes very logical when your perspective is introducing the track in a mix.
You also learn to avoid stupid shit, like putting in extra 1 bar "ghost drops" in an intro.
Lastly, what reed said.
Quote:
don't care about unknown listener, care about making a track you would listen to again multiple times. if you think the length is right, then it's right. if it's getting boring then move on to tell the next part of the story. if there is no more story to tell then it's over.
and this:
Quote:
The main purpose of longer is for djing, this is why dance tunes have always rolled in at 5-10 minutes. Long the long intros and outtros give you ample space to blend he tunes together and the good amount of time in the middle gives you a chance to pick out what your gonna play next.
..with a dash of what LB told gargaj once.
I'm not sure if you can understand how to structure a track for DJ usage unless you DJ yourself, at least I didn't. It's not just about adding 32 (or 64, 128 or whatever) bars of beats at the start and end, but also about using elements that can be blended in a mix. Things that doesn't make sense on it's own (like looping a small section of a hook for two minutes over the intro) suddenly becomes very logical when your perspective is introducing the track in a mix.
You also learn to avoid stupid shit, like putting in extra 1 bar "ghost drops" in an intro.
Lastly, what reed said.
Structure.
^^ Hahaha, nice. Lauged my ass off at Jazz and Punk. He missed a few genres though.
Thanks for the tips guys, some great advice posted that I will keep in mind...
As far as "why" I want to make longer stuff - I work towards a goal I have in mind for a tune when I start writing it. It's easy to say sometimes "yeah, this is done, I can't add anything else" but I feel that is selling some good ideas short (hah!) sometimes. 2-3 minutes may be fine for a pop song (or an in-your-face chiptune) but is barely a preview for a highly complex & subtle genre like goa.
And of course this is *dance music* I am doing. Not only are longer tracks better for the DJs as has been said, but it's better for the audience too - it's *hard* to really get into the groove of a track on the dance floor if it's too short.
Anyway the 'personal' reason is that I often think my stuff *should* be longer and isn't really finished, but have run out of ideas of how to add more to it. If I think a track is *done* I'll end it, but that's often not the case.
Thanks for the tips guys, some great advice posted that I will keep in mind...
As far as "why" I want to make longer stuff - I work towards a goal I have in mind for a tune when I start writing it. It's easy to say sometimes "yeah, this is done, I can't add anything else" but I feel that is selling some good ideas short (hah!) sometimes. 2-3 minutes may be fine for a pop song (or an in-your-face chiptune) but is barely a preview for a highly complex & subtle genre like goa.
And of course this is *dance music* I am doing. Not only are longer tracks better for the DJs as has been said, but it's better for the audience too - it's *hard* to really get into the groove of a track on the dance floor if it's too short.
Anyway the 'personal' reason is that I often think my stuff *should* be longer and isn't really finished, but have run out of ideas of how to add more to it. If I think a track is *done* I'll end it, but that's often not the case.
