Question about theory (axwell - center of the universe)

[rushton]

Ive only done a little bit of music theory but yeah that sounds pretty close to the way you would do it.
Its why its important to make a chord structure (for melodic music) even if your not really using chords, it makes a foundation for the rest of the song.
Im not schooled enough to tell you the key and so forth, but if you have an iphone go download an app called music tool. I use it for all this kind of stuff.
When making a song i figure out what key the kick drum is then use the app to figure out what chords and what scale i can use. Makes life much easier

[flamenco1]

You're almost right, the first chord is B (B, F#, D#) but the second chord is E in first inversion, this means you play the G# in the bass so the notes are (G# B, E,) and then A (A, C#, E)

What's important in the first inversion chord is the note that is in the bass, the combination of the three notes can be in any order above the base note but the bass has to be the same.

The key is E by the way

[JayPee]

Ok I knew I missed something for the second chords and knew it was an inversion but couldn' find it easily

thanks man!


ps : I think a sub forum about theory would be cool here!

[JayPee]

Originally Posted by flamenco1

You're almost right, the first chord is B (B, F#, D#) but the second chord is E in first inversion, this means you play the G# in the bass so the notes are (G# B, E,) and then A (A, C#, E)

What's important in the second inversion chord is the note that is in the bass, the combination of the three notes can be in any order above the base note but the bass has to be the same.

The key is E by the way

Okay, I played it on the piano, but, my musical theory is not perfect yet

Abt the second chord : If it's an E in first inversion...why doesn't he play an E on the bass?

[flamenco1]

Like I said: if it is the first inversion of E then the bass note is G#

[flamenco1]

Just to clarify:

There are three or more notes in any chord: what makes it an inversion (or not) is which of those three (or more) notes is played in the bass.

If the chord note is played in the bass then it is a root position chord eg: E chord with an E note in the bass

In a first inversion chord it would be an E chord with a G# in the bass

In a second inversion chord it would be a E chord with B in the bass.

Hope this helps

[JayPee]

Humm, I'm not sure to get it.

what you call 'bass' ( ie the lowest note in the chord) is not necessarily the bass ie the left hand on the piano...?

I thought when you have a C major chord for example you have to play a C on the left hand and a C major on the right hand (First or second inversion)

I'm confused now

[mekohler]

Wha? You don't have to do anything...I made a quick video.





I vary it up a bit, but for the most part the general structure is:

LH: C RH:C Eb G
LH: Eb RH:C Eb G
LH: G# RH:C Eb G

LH: G RH: B D G
LH: B RH: B D G
LH: D RH: B D G

as long as you resolve the Lefthand G# to the G it sounds fine and adds tension...then I just play an inversion of a G minor (B D G) but with different bass notes...my point is you don't HAVE to play a bass note of C if you are playing a C major, minor whatever...you can definitely play any of the notes in the chord, or like I did above, add some tension with a note not present and resolve it...

[JayPee]

Originally Posted by mekohler

Wha? You don't have to do anything...I made a quick video.





I vary it up a bit, but for the most part the general structure is:

LH: C RH:C Eb G
LH: Eb RH:C Eb G
LH: G# RH:C Eb G

LH: G RH: B D G
LH: B RH: B D G
LH: D RH: B D G

as long as you resolve the Lefthand G# to the G it sounds fine and adds tension...then I just play an inversion of a G minor (B D G) but with different bass notes...my point is you don't HAVE to play a bass note of C if you are playing a C major, minor whatever...you can definitely play any of the notes in the chord, or like I did above, add some tension with a note not present and resolve it...

If you play this :
LH: G# RH:C Eb G

this is a G#m7 and not a C minor

So when you change bass note (LH), you change the chord to 7th chord

Am I right?

[flamenco1]

When I say bass I mean the left hand!

The three notes of a chord can be in any combination in the right hand, if the left hand has a note from the chord other than the chord's root note, it is an inversion.

[flamenco1]

Originally Posted by JayPee

If you play this :
LH: G# RH:C Eb G

this is a G#m7 and not a C minor

So when you change bass note (LH), you change the chord to 7th chord

Am I right?

Not entirely right here no. The chord you mentioned is G#7 (or Ab7 depending on key) not G#m7. The chord name depends on the notes included and this is quite a complicated subject that is not easily explained over a few forum posts. I suggest the best thing for you is to get a music theory book and read it, you be glad you did and your productions will benefit from it immensely!

[JayPee]

Yes! thanks man!