Replaying samples with no music theory training...

I know my notes, some scales, and some chords, but I wouldn't call myself trained in theory. I sometimes find myself trying to replay a sample (it helps in the long run). I can get basslines and sometimes other instruments. But I get so frustrated sometimes, and I go ahead and use the sample. Sometimes I use the sample cause it's so damn hot and I don't wanna take away the feel of it. Anyway, who replays samples? Any techniques that you are willing to share?

learn music theory. And learn how to play multiple instruments. There is no easy way to copy music (not sampling and drum programming), cept to learn it and get your chops up. That is why cats that use replayed samples higher musicians to do that for them.

binger0 wrote:learn music theory. And learn how to play multiple instruments. There is no easy way to copy music (not sampling and drum programming), cept to learn it and get your chops up. That is why cats that use replayed samples higher musicians to do that for them.

Music theory will NOT help u lean how to replay samples or make u a better producer. U have to train your ear to hear chourds and be able to replay them.

This is a skill that can be learned if you have the musical abilitity in the first place.

As a classical pianist i found the transititon fairly easy.. but again my theory dident really help me replay samples. It is my ear for music, i know people who know theory out the ass, who cant replay anything and vice
versa

Here is how i replay samples,

I listen to the sample,
figure out the chourd progression,
change the key signature.

If u listen to the corner remix , on my soundclick page u will see what im talking about, that is actually a replayed thelnious monk sample in a differnt key signature.

class...

Yeah I'm taking a Fundamentals of Music class and I'm learning theory. But I still can't play shit.

Pitch & Tone - Its in your ears. I dont know shit when it comes to notes - Lol. I jus do what I like the sound of. Never had any training. I do wanna get some tho. Think it could help my creative process out a bit (interms of speed and how much more I could push the envelope)

I aint a thats a C# this or that kinda person but I know what it sounz like or should sound like when I hit it.

When it comes to samples,I replay elements and add additional lines where ever poss....Once u find the Key, your good. Remember, when it comes to samples u have to be carful when u pitch things up. If you dont stick to whole numbers you might pitch it up to a tone that dont (in theory) exist making it mad hard for u to even find the key its in. I usually work out key 1st, then pitch it, then I know how many keys I raised it by

When it comes to chords, depending on what chord u start on, u usually stay within either side of the root - Circle progressions. Work out the root chord and 9/10 times you can find out the progression

Well, thats how I do it anyway.....

it kills me when i see producers sayin "im going to learn theory to make me better" it dosent work like that.

ALl theory does is teach u the actual structure of music, it dosent teach you how to create it. Thats something that you are born with....

For example
A race car driver dosent need to know exaclty how a car engine works in order to drive it well.


Well theory is the same way, dont get me wrong, if you know what your doing theory can be very useful in helping u undertstand the stucture of music,Espically when dealing with orchestral arrangements. But it will not make u a better producer or musican if u dont have the natural abilitity in the first place

I know theory out the ass but i NEVER use it when im making hip hop beats. THe only time i may use theory is when i am doing bridges for R&B songs( i usually use the realtive minor of a keysignature) other then that its all by ear

U cant learn musical talent

Train your ear, thats the only way u will truly become a good producer
class.....

yeah but without any guidence and structure you cannot see the way it breaks down in your head. I mean sure u can be ignorant and figure it all out on your own, but why would u start with nothing? Get a few books and learn the basics of how music breaks down, mode, scale, chords, progression, harmony, all fundementals of music no matter what ur making. I would rather learn the basics then build on that, then to sit around and jerk off for 8 months learning all that shit. to each his own i guess. Some people would rather beat themselves in the head then to take a little guideince. My motto is work smarter not harder.

i know a someone who is trained and if gonna chop up a sample then it might help just a little and it'll help your programming when munipulate sounds into sequence...

i know someone who is trained and said if ur gonna chop up a sample then it might help just a little and it'll help your programming when munipulating sounds into sequence just to bring out a better musical feel...

binger0 wrote:yeah but without any guidence and structure you cannot see the way it breaks down in your head. I mean sure u can be ignorant and figure it all out on your own, but why would u start with nothing? Get a few books and learn the basics of how music breaks down, mode, scale, chords, progression, harmony, all fundementals of music no matter what ur making. I would rather learn the basics then build on that, then to sit around and jerk off for 8 months learning all that ****. to each his own i guess. Some people would rather beat themselves in the head then to take a little guideince. My motto is work smarter not harder.

your preaching to the choir man, im not saying that music theory cannot help make you better. Im saying that if u dont have the talent in the first place, theory or not, it aint gonna matter

My musical training has helped me tremendiously, I have only been making beats for 1 year but I have been a musican my entire life (pianist and saxaphonist) and that has helped me fall into beatmaking easly, it was a seemless transisition becasue of the things i already know.
I know i aint the best producer in the world but i can hold my own with most cats

My point is this, if you dont have the natural ear and talent in the first place, all the theory in the world aint gonna make you better. You can learn theory till your blue in the face, but without talent, it dosent mean Sh*t. Ive seen it first hand, trust me.

You cant learn talent, that was my point.....

class...

well thats a given, but anyone can learn if they practice hard enough. That is what gives u the talent. I honestly belive no one is a natural, cept for the super rare exceptions. I think it comes from dedication, resources, knowledge, and determination. That is what makes u good. So learning everything u can and applying it is just another asset for you. Staying up till 5 am everynight practicing runs, or chord progressions will make you better and open mad doors. I dont even play the keys. I do use all samples, but by learning theory i can do things that i would have never even thought of with my samples. And i can add basslines and harmonies with keys and kinda know what im doing. Without that i would just be shooting in the dark. But back to the subject at hand. By yourself i really dont think u can interpolate a sample. You can do something basic like a guitar or key lick, but to make a full sample recreated you need 4 or 5 instruments. Casue most samples i take have layers of keys, bass, guitar etc...

I disagree man, like i said i have personal experince with this, You can pratice till your blue in the face but some people just have more natural abilitity then others.

Ofcourse no matter how talented you are u still have to pratice and be decidated in order to get to the next level.

I knew cats in my music school who praticed day and night, knew all the catatonic scales and chourdprogessions etc.. But if you asked them to come up with an orgnal composititon, they couldent do it, it just wasent in them. Pratice can get u to a certain point, but talent will take u to the next level.

For example
i cant draw shit, i have taken numerious art classes and praticed for years but the talent just aint in me. I mean i can draw decent things but i have homeboys with natural abilitity that can draw circles around me. They just have a knack for it

This is true for althertics too, some people were just born witht he natural abilitity to run fast or jump high and no amount of training can change that. Now ofcourse in order for that person to make it to the next level they still have to train hard etc... But u cant take a person off the street and teach them athetic abiltitiy...

Music is like this, not everyone is blessed equally with musical abiltity, some will have the talent to make it to the next level, most wont, no matter how hard they pratice

class....

classic wrote:I disagree man, like i said i have personal experince with this, You can pratice till your blue in the face but some people just have more natural abilitity then others.

Ofcourse no matter how talented you are u still have to pratice and be decidated in order to get to the next level.

I knew cats in my music school who praticed day and night, knew all the catatonic scales and chourdprogessions etc.. But if you asked them to come up with an orgnal composititon, they couldent do it, it just wasent in them. Pratice can get u to a certain point, but talent will take u to the next level.

For example
i cant draw ****, i have taken numerious art classes and praticed for years but the talent just aint in me. I mean i can draw decent things but i have homeboys with natural abilitity that can draw circles around me. They just have a knack for it

This is true for althertics too, some people were just born witht he natural abilitity to run fast or jump high and no amount of training can change that. Now ofcourse in order for that person to make it to the next level they still have to train hard etc... But u cant take a person off the street and teach them athetic abiltitiy...

Music is like this, not everyone is blessed equally with musical abiltity, some will have the talent to make it to the next level, most wont, no matter how hard they pratice

class....

Very good points my friend. And I hire musicians alot and I know what your saying and it's definitely true.

What's really flowers up is that the game is so flooded right now that it don't really matter, music thoery, no theory, talent. no talent, if you're in the right place at the right time and know the right person you can blow even if you BLOW!

cooocooo1 wrote:What's really flowers up is that the game is so flooded right now that it don't really matter, music thoery, no theory, talent. no talent, if you're in the right place at the right time and know the right person you can blow even if you BLOW!

Also good points!!!