understanding basic rhythm for music producers (music theory pt. 5)

TAETRO

8 Nov 202132:40

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video explains the basics of musical rhythm in an accessible way for music producers. It covers important concepts like beats per minute, time signatures, dividing beats into fractions like quarter notes and eighth notes to create different rhythmic feels. It then applies these rhythmic concepts to drums, melodies, and chord progressions, demonstrating techniques to create interest like adding permutations, triplets and rests. The goal is to help producers understand rhythmic devices used in the music they love so they can apply them to their own tracks.

Takeaways

😀 The tempo/BPM determines the speed of your song. Higher BPM = faster tempo.
🥁 Bars in 4/4 time signature have 4 beats. Downbeat lands on beat 1, emphasizing it.
🎹 Subdividing beats creates rhythms - going from quarter to 8th to 16th notes.
👂 Changing rhythms creates different feels without changing tempo.
🎶 Use rhythm variations in melodies instead of just quarter notes.
✏️ Thematic rhythms tie parts of a song together (melody & chords).
🔀 Off-beat rhythms land between main beats, creating different feels.
🎹 Chord rhythm - go from whole notes to 8ths/16ths to create bounce.
🥁 Triplets divide bars into 3s instead of 2s, achieving swing/shuffle feels.
❌ Don't accidentally copy partial bars when told to copy beats.

Q & A

What is the purpose of this music theory video series?
-The purpose is to present music theory topics in an accessible way for music producers, focusing on the more practical principles that can be applied to make music rather than complicated theoretical concepts.
What is beats per minute and how does it relate to tempo?
-Beats per minute (BPM) refers to the tempo or speed of a track. It determines how frequently the beats occur within a minute. The higher the BPM, the faster the tempo.
How are bars divided in 4/4 time signature?
-In 4/4 time signature, each bar is divided into 4 beats. The first beat is the downbeat and is emphasized. The other 3 beats in the bar are normal beats.
What are quarter notes, eighth notes and sixteenth notes?
-They refer to how rhythmic notes are subdivided: a quarter note lasts one beat, an eighth note lasts half a beat, and a sixteenth note lasts one quarter of a beat. So there are twice as many eighth notes as quarter notes in a bar.
How can you create a faster rhythmic feel without changing the tempo?
-By subdividing the beats into smaller note values like eighth notes or sixteenth notes instead of just quarter notes. This adds more notes within the same BPM and tempo.
How does rhythm affect melodies and chord progressions?
-By using different note durations, rests, and subdivisions. This creates interest and variations in the rhythm of the melody or chords.
What is the difference between notes that land on the beat vs off the beat?
-Notes on the beat reinforce the pulse and land on main beats in the bar. Notes off the beat land in between main beats and create syncopation.
What are triplets?
-Triplets are when the beat gets divided into three instead of two equal parts, creating a swung or shuffle feel. They divide the beat differently than straight subdivisions.
Why is it important to copy full four beat phrases?
-To maintain the proper timing and rhythmic flow. Copying only 3 beats of a 4 beat phrase throws off the rhythm in the next bar.
What are some ways rhythmic devices are used in songs?
-Increasing subdivision for energy, swing/shuffle feels from triplets, contrasting on/off beats, varying note durations, and rests.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introducing the video topic and purpose

The video introduces the monthly music theory series, focusing on topics presented in an accessible way for music producers. This video will cover the basics of rhythm and how it affects drums, melodies and chord progressions in music.

05:01

🥁 Explaining tempo, time signatures, and basic drum patterns

The key concepts explained are beats per minute (tempo), time signatures, downbeats, bars, strong beats, and subdividing beats to create basic drum patterns using kicks, snares, and hi-hats playing quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes.

10:03

🎹 Using rhythm to create interesting melodies

The video demonstrates how subdivision and different note lengths (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) can make a boring all-quarter note melody more rhythmic and interesting. Leaving space also affects rhythm. A steady sixteenth note is added on every strong beat to make the melody thematic.

15:06

🎸 Adding rhythm to chord progressions

Examples show how changing chord note lengths (whole, quarter, eighth notes) creates different rhythms. Removing/adding notes subdivides the progression into bouncier sixteenth note rhythms. Small bar-to-bar variations add interest while repeating patterns creates themes.

20:06

👂 Using triplets and swung rhythms

Triplets divide bars into three instead of the usual even divisions. Combining triplets with regular eighth/sixteenth notes creates swung/shuffled rhythms commonly heard in beats.

25:08

😊 Conclusion and call to action

The video concludes by urging viewers to apply these rhythmic concepts to their own music production, notice them in songs they love, and consider rhythm when copying musical phrases.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Music Theory

Music theory is the study of the practices and possibilities of music. It is mentioned as a foundational element in the video, focusing on making complex theory accessible to music producers. The presenter aims to strip away the complexity and highlight practical aspects of music theory that can be directly applied to improve music production skills.

💡Rhythm

Rhythm is a core component of music, referring to the pattern of sounds and silences in time. In the video, the focus shifts to rhythm as a significant topic following discussions on ear training and chord progressions. The presenter emphasizes its importance across all elements of music, including drums, melodies, and chord progressions, providing a foundation for understanding how rhythm contributes to the dynamic and feel of a piece.

💡Beats Per Minute (BPM)

BPM measures the tempo of a track, indicating how many beats occur within a minute. The video uses BPM to illustrate how tempo serves as the backbone of a track, affecting its pace and energy. A practical demonstration with a metronome sets a context for understanding BPM's role in creating rhythm.

💡Time Signature

Time signature is used to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat. The presenter uses the common 4/4 time signature to simplify the rhythm concepts, emphasizing its prevalence in most songs and its role in structuring the rhythm of music.

💡Downbeat

The downbeat marks the first beat of a measure in music, often emphasized in the video to signal the beginning of a rhythmic pattern. The presenter uses the downbeat to teach viewers how to identify and utilize strong beats to anchor their music's rhythm.

💡Subdivision

Subdivision involves dividing beats into smaller rhythmic units, enabling more complex rhythmic patterns. In the video, subdivision is a key concept for creating variety in rhythm, with examples showing how to break down beats into quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and beyond, to enrich musical texture.

💡Metronome

A metronome is a tool that produces a steady pulse to help musicians play in time. The video demonstrates using a metronome to maintain a consistent tempo, highlighting its utility in practicing rhythm and ensuring timing accuracy in music production.

💡DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

DAW refers to software used for recording, editing, and producing audio files. The video mentions using Ableton Live as an example to demonstrate rhythm concepts, though it clarifies that the specific DAW does not matter for understanding rhythm, indicating the universal applicability of the discussed concepts.

💡Chord Progressions

Chord progressions are sequences of chords played in a piece of music. The video touches on how rhythm affects chord progressions, suggesting ways to apply rhythmic variations to make progressions more engaging and dynamic.

💡Melody

Melody refers to a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single entity. The video explores how rhythm can be used to enhance melodies, demonstrating how different note lengths and rhythmic patterns can create more interesting and complex melodic lines.

💡Triplets

Triplets are a form of rhythmic subdivision where a beat is divided into three equal parts, instead of the more common two or four. The video introduces triplets as a way to create a distinct rhythmic feel, showing how they can be used to add variety and a 'swung' feel to music.

Highlights

We cover the basics of rhythm and how it affects drums, melodies, and chord progressions in music production

The tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM), determines the overall pace of a song

The time signature, like 4/4, divides each bar into beats and measures

Subdividing beats creates different rhythmic feels without changing the tempo

Using fractions, beats can be divided into quarter notes, eighth notes, 16th notes etc.

Triplets divide beats into groups of 3 instead of standard even divisions

Rhythm gives movement and interest to melodies beyond just quarter notes

Leaving space between notes is an important rhythmic technique

Making melodic rhythms thematic creates coherence across musical phrases

Chord progressions can use rhythmic variation between bars for interest

Using syncopation and off-beats creates a different feel than on-beat rhythms

Faster rhythmic subdivisions add energy without changing the tempo

Swung and shuffled rhythms often use combinations of triplets and straight notes

Carefully copying rhythms ensures accurate beat lengths when repeating patterns

Analyzing rhythms in songs you love helps apply techniques to your productions

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Can You Beam Correctly in 6/8 Compound Time? - Music Theory

The Difference Between 3/4 and 6/8 Time Signatures - Music Theory

#27 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

#4 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY

Grade 1 Music Theory - Rhythm

#7 LEARN FREE MUSIC THEORY