theory question

[ndiggity67]

I have no clue about music theory, so maybe you guys can help me out.

I made up a riff the other day that is 5 beats long, does this mean that it cannot work in a song?

[mavonw]

there are no rules as far as creating a song so yes

[ndiggity67]

Is it possible to play drums to a 5 beat measure?

[lieinmygrave41]

there are no rules as far as creating a song so yes

:thumbsup

IT also depends on what time signature it is. if it is 4/4, then chances are you created a riff with a pickup on beat 4. if it is 5/4, then you are alright. If it is 6/8, then you probably have an eight note rest.

Music works. Doesn't matter what key or how many beats. It just works.

[lieinmygrave41]

Is it possible to play drums to a 5 beat measure?

Rapunzel has 5 beats to the measure. Carter seems to do it fine. So yes :)

[ndiggity67]

if i post it will you listen to it and let me know what the hell is going on here?

[lieinmygrave41]

:lol sure

[ndiggity67]

http://s57.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0RE1DF6IZHXFV0FXZAB75EODVH


okay here it is, thank you

[lieinmygrave41]

ok. That beginning slide starts one 1. The riff is either in3/4 or 6/8.

if you are familiar with 6/8, there are 10 bars of 123456 the bold is where you change chords. And that can be counted, 1 2, 1 2. Meaning 1 is the first bold, and 2 is the second bold. It's just a different way of counting 6/8, especially when it is a fast song.

If you are counting in 3/4. There are 20 bars of 3/4. Meaning everytime you switch to a new chord, a new bar is created. There are 3 beats to the measure, and each chord gets 3 beats, etc.

The slide intro at the beginning and one of the middle chord throws things off a bit. But what I said should be right. Anyway, the last not you end on if the last beat(123456) and then it fades out.

Make sense?

[whiteysax]

That's a pretty sweet riff... I would almost consider ripping it off and using it in my composition... but I wouldn't knowingly do that to anyone. And to answer your question... that is completely "drumable"... no competent drummer would have a problem laying something down to that. I wouldn't mind throwing some sax licks over it myself. Kudos on a good start!

[whiteysax]

ok. That beginning slide starts one 1. The riff is either in3/4 or 6/8.

if you are familiar with 6/8, there are 10 bars of 123456 the bold is where you change chords. And that can be counted, 1 2, 1 2. Meaning 1 is the first bold, and 2 is the second bold. It's just a different way of counting 6/8, especially when it is a fast song.

If you are counting in 3/4. There are 20 bars of 3/4. Meaning everytime you switch to a new chord, a new bar is created. There are 3 beats to the measure, and each chord gets 3 beats, etc.

The slide intro at the beginning and one of the middle chord throws things off a bit. But what I said should be right. Anyway, the last not you end on if the last beat(123456) and then it fades out.

Make sense?
Listen to Will giving the math lesson ;) That may be a little more complicated than it has to be... i'll have to listen again, although there was definitely tendencies toward a triple meter subdivision. There were definitely 5 chords. Reminded me a little of one of the BTCS segues... especially the way it ended on a dominant chord (i think, i'm too lazy to go back and figure it out).

[ndiggity67]

That's a pretty sweet riff... I would almost consider ripping it off and using it in my composition... but I wouldn't knowingly do that to anyone. And to answer your question... that is completely "drumable"... no competent drummer would have a problem laying something down to that. I wouldn't mind throwing some sax licks over it myself. Kudos on a good start!

Thanks man, no one has really complimented my guitar playing before. As far as sax licks go, i would be down to start a project with ya.

[lieinmygrave41]

Listen to Will giving the math lesson ;) That may be a little more complicated than it has to be... i'll have to listen again, although there was definitely tendencies toward a triple meter subdivision. There were definitely 5 chords. Reminded me a little of one of the BTCS segues... especially the way it ended on a dominant chord (i think, i'm too lazy to go back and figure it out).

Hey! Just because Music Theory and Calculus are my two favorite classes :twenty4

;)

[justinandimcool]

Will we love you!

And you are taking Calc wtf you're a year younger than me!

[whiteysax]

Hey! Just because Music Theory and Calculus are my two favorite classes :twenty4

;)
Hey, man... screw math... But I have a bachelor's in composition which places me in an elite league of theory nerds :lol My favorite non performing class was theory IV which was all about modern composition techniques... fascinating! This thread to collaborate and put out some freakish sweet shit!

[whiteysax]

Thanks man, no one has really complimented my guitar playing before. As far as sax licks go, i would be down to start a project with ya.
Intriguing... I want to say definitely... but I'm tentatively in line to write a score for an independent movie project this guy filmed in Philly. But I hear from him once every 2 months about how he's almost ready to mail me some samples for me to write stuff for... This has gone on since August. So I don't know how full my plate is... on top of being uninspired in my own writing for nearly 3 months... it sucks...

[jordonh]

I loved that thread a while back about the universe running out of music someday. I hope im not alive when that happens