segue and background harmony problems

[Caldaron]

Hey guys!
By making music, i guess everybody has sometimes problems to find some segues, to transit from one melody and rhythm to another without destroying the groove, flow, or whatever you wanna call it... after lots of tries I'm finally going crazy cause i couldn't find something fitting in and i'm going insane to be incapable to get this job done, so please help me out, I'm near throwing my keyboard out the window...

Are there some tricks and hints to use harmonies, scales and whatever you need to make a good segue?
I also could use some tutoring of making a good background atmosphere by using the strings and brass sections.

Thanks in advance

 

[moog]

Its all about trial and error dude. Write a song every day using differant instrument combos, and listen to alot of the style you are having problems with. It also helps to carry around a sound recorder.

Try to learn as many chords as you can, since a good chord + backed melody = great harmony

 

[Chris Hurn]

Caldaron,

I realize this reply is a little late, sorry about that. Moog makes good points about writing every day and using different instrumental combos.

As for using harmonies and scales, ideally you want to learn all your harmony and scale theory, or as much as you can handle, and then put it aside. When you write, you want to be thinking creatively, using the theory skills you have aquired but not relying on them for your sole inspiration.

Track down scores and/or MIDI files or composers you are inspired by and look at their work. One bar at a time, don't rush through. See what the chord progressions are, the melodies, the orchestration and instrumentation, see how it works together.

Playing the piano really helps...sitting down and actually playing the music you aspire to is something you should do. Use your ears, and try and work out your favourite pieces by ear, if just the melodies and chords. You will learn a lot about progressions and harmony this way.

Brass and strings work together very nicely, they are a good blend. I listened to the music you posted here most recently, you had a harp peice that would sound very good with some slow, drawn out string chords, perhaps with some horns gently underneath as well. Experiment with that. Try laying some chords underneath that piece. Keep it simple, don't think you have to change chords every bar. Since you seem to like Uematsu, study how he uses strings as drawn out ambience as the harp or piano etc take the melody. He does this kind of thing a lot.

Two books I recommend on orchestration if you are keen on taking it to the next level:

The Sammuel Adler Orchestration book - this one is regarded as one of the best guides to orchestration, and is indeed a good guide.

And for something you can use right away:

The Principals of Orchestration by Rimsky-Korsakov - Here at nothern sounds you can see this book, and watch the examples in realtime with flashplayer. It's an incredible tool.

Of course, nothing beats sitting down and listening to an orchestra, listening to MIDI files, looking at scores and most importantly writing - that will get you places faster than anything.

If your goal is to be a game composer, keep churning out MIDI files. Make hundreds of them. Don't be too worried about how they stack up next to others. You will be amazed how far you get by writing all the time, and studying other works, etc.

Good luck.

 

[moog]

Everyone read this; this might be some of the best advice in this forum ive seen in a while