beat programming
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On Nontypical Timekeeping Ways And Messing With Percussion Sounds
“Beware of clichés…There are clichés of response as well as expression. There are clichés of observation and of thought—even of conception. Many novels, even quite a few adequately written ones, are clichés of form which conform to clichés of expectation.” -Geoff Dyer I’ve been enjoying messing with my percussion sounds to make them more interesting Continue reading
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Notes On Programming Rhythms
As I teach myself how to program rhythms that I enjoy listening to, I’ve learned some lessons that might interest the musicians among my readers. Lesson One: the most efficient way to program a rhythm is to play it. You can play it all at once, as I do, one part at a time, Continue reading
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Notes On Making Beats II
In general, I don’t like beats that are too regular, yet I also don’t like beats that are merely functional. I like beats that are different—beats that make me think about their patterns of beatings. So when I compose (electronic) beats, I avoid typical beat-making moves: having the beats mark the backbeats (e.g. in 4/4 Continue reading
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Notes On Making Beats
“Rhythm is the most perceptible and the least material thing.” – Leopold Sedar Senghor (quoted in John Chernoff, African Rhythm and African Sensibility). I find making electronic beats difficult, which is strange because I have the dexterity to play them on a controller, and at least in theory, I know what makes a good one. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 7: Master A Single Instrument
Dilla used just a single instrument to make his tracks. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 6: Snare Drum Resonance Is Your Friend
Snare drum resonance is your friend. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 5: You Don’t Have To Stay On The Grid
Play a metronome along with this and it will never stay lined up. That’s a good thing: the musical time lives. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 4: Use Pulsating Sounds
Use pulsating sounds. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 3: The Bass Can Walk Or Wander
The bass can walk or wander from the drum rhythm. Continue reading
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Lessons From Dilla 2: Contrast Dry With Atmospheric
Contrast the dry beat with an atmospheric keyboard sample. Continue reading
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