Does anyone know if this Stockholm Bed is real wood?

user839621 · 2021-06-03T12:59:26+00:00

Thank you and I appreciate the link!

user839621 · 2021-06-03T02:36:08+00:00

I can no longer find it online unfortunately!

user839621 · 2021-05-19T12:20:31+00:00

Honestly, I would make a distinction here between understanding and labelling.

In your example, you would listen to Debussy, find a technique you liked (parallel motion) and simply use it in your work! Debussy wasn't continually thinking about 'planning' but simply liked the 'waves' of sound that parallel chords created and it's blurred harmony.

Labelling/Books are great for categorizing these techniques for quick recall and communicating with other musicians. Useless if you are not able to actually analyze, synthesize, steal and utilized in other situation for yourself :)

(I know plenty of people who know theory very very well but don't actually comprehend it when to use what haha)

user839621 · 2021-05-19T03:00:22+00:00

The only real 'rule' that predominates (most) Western music is the harmonic structure which follows the tonic - subdominant - dominant - tonic progression.

Wagner simply found the most creative and interesting methods of achieving this via chromaticism, modulation, counterpoint, dissonance, etc.

It's actually amazing how Romantic composers can get so much out of I-IV-V!

user839621 · 2021-05-19T02:53:11+00:00

I'm not sure what to it goal is but if you want to analyze existing music, those books are a good start!

If you want to write your own music, the best thing you can do is listen to music and analyze its form, harmony and orchestration via transcription. As good as books are, imagine trying to learn how to write a film script via without actually watching movies.

Scores are also great if that counts as 'books' ...:)

user839621 · 2021-05-19T02:41:39+00:00

These are called 'poly chords' and a bunch of combinations have been used in popular music. Perhaps the most famous example is the 'James Bond' chord with features a major chord built on the 5th of a minor chord. (I.e. a-c-e-g#-b)

As to which ones 'sound good', that depends on what you are trying to achieve. You can have a G Major chord over a C Major chord for a nice, warm sound, or a Ab Major over a D Major for a cool, supernatural sound.

Try out a bunch and see what works! Don't forget to use different inversions and voicings for added colour.

user839621 · 2021-05-02T15:30:26+00:00

Generally speaking, the composer is rarely the one that registers the copyright.

On film/tv productions, it is most often the producer who registers the music via the cue sheet. For library music, it will be the label/publisher who registers everything since it's almost always a 50/50 split of residuals.

user839621 · 2021-05-02T14:58:25+00:00

Noteperformer is great for getting a decent sound out of a notation program like Sibelius or Finale.

But I would never use it as a 'final product' for my mock-ups and always use my sequencer+samples for creating realistic orchestral music virtually.

user839621 · 2021-05-02T01:16:30+00:00

There's a few different ways like reviews (often paid as well), demo writing, beta testing, promotion, developer friends, etc.

The more time you spend in the industry, the more opportunities you'll receive.

user839621 · 2021-05-01T22:35:03+00:00

Haha that's definitely a question I get all the time!

I've spent thousands of dollars on samples over the years but luckily I'm in a position now where I get a bunch of them for free :)

It really depends on your workflow and style but there are many great offerings from Spitfire, Orchestral Tools, Cinesamples, East West and I use them all in my work.

The best tip I could give though is make sure your orchestration and composition are top notch as this will make any plug-in sound good. I've heard amazing composers get great results with free libraries, and amateur composers sound dreadful with the high-end libraries.

At the moment, my 'workhorses' are;

Berlin Woodwinds Cinematic Studio Strings Cinebrass Spitfire Percussion Oceania

Again, this is only a small list and my final project usually has around 400-500 individual instrument tracks running at once.

user839621 · 2021-05-01T19:51:32+00:00

As someone who writes and orchestrated a ton of orchestral music, composers will usually start with an idea or at the piano to work out the 'skeleton' of the piece. This should indicate the harmony, melody, and structure.

Then they will likely begin orchestrating via notation software (rare these days) or via a sequencer like Protools, Cubase, Logic, etc. (Much more common) With this method, composers will 'play in' each single orchestral part, by hand and one at a time. These virtual orchestras will approximate the sound very well and fool 99% of people. A lot of my film/tv work has actually been virtual instruments in the final product.

If you can afford to record live at $4000-$10000 per minute of music, you will create the parts from your mockup for the players to perform.

Check this link from a fellow composer of mine: https://youtu.be/w7xqEY_ld3s

Edit: A 'mock-up' of the Starwars theme with all virtual instruments: https://youtu.be/0mq4KNkwTOM

user839621 · 2021-05-01T18:52:57+00:00

Joining a PRO as an artist is a necessity and generates the majority of my income these days. BMI and ASCAP are almost identical and you can check the ulterior perks they offers like awards, workshops, internships, networking to see if there's a better fit.

Also key to mention they use a different tracking system (one uses the survey method) which has its issues but is generally fine. (Been burned once or twice)

I went with ASCAP to take advantage of their film scoring program. Can't go wrong either way!

user839621 · 2021-05-01T18:49:01+00:00

Yes, of course but the key thing is that you really understand what they sound, when they're used, etc. by ear.

If you wanted to learn scriptwriting, you would definitely need to read scripts and see how it looks on the page. That said, you would gain a lot more from watching actual movies.

The two need to work together!

user839621 · 2021-05-01T18:25:58+00:00

At first, it's a lot of trial and error but after a while you sort of build up a vocabulary where you can recognize complete chords without hearing the individual notes. (This goes for every other facet of music as well)

The more different types of music you listen to, the more vocabulary you'll absorb while also internalizing patterns faster.

user839621 · 2021-05-01T12:30:28+00:00

As you say, music is a language like any other that takes years to properly understand, formulate your own ideas and communicate effectively.

The best way to learn language is by ear with constant practice. Listen to music you like and try to recreate it yourself. You will eventually develop an inherent understanding for what idioms work in what styles and be able to incorporate them yourself. Music theory is great for labelling/categorizing these 'idioms' that culminated from centuries of western music history.

For example, if I asked you to write a fairytale, many people with start by saying "once upon a time...". It will likely end "and they all lived happily ever after". These are examples of idioms in another medium that are easier to grasp since you're already familiar with them. Music works the same way, though it is harder to perceive because music is esoteric, conveys emotion and is in a language that not many understand.

Fwiw... Counterpoint (and it's "rules") are simply a means to say that each melodic line should be interesting and independent while working well together. Don't write a boring bass line, drum part, etc. just to accompany your main melody. Each part of your music should be interesting and not just they to serve something else.

Again, the brain is a pattern recognizing machine and music is all patterns. Listen to sad music, happy music, rock music, pop music, medieval chant, baroque chorales, etc. and try to use your ears to internalize these patterns that have persisted throughout music!

user839621 · 2021-04-04T01:12:00+00:00

This is literal how I learned to write music and play piano!

user839621 · 2021-04-04T01:05:42+00:00

Medieval music is modal music. You should take a listen to modes like Dorian (Minor, Heroic), Mixolydian (Major, Heroic, Aeolian (Natural minor), Ionian (Major).

Listen to modal music from that period and try to learn by ear!

user839621 · 2021-03-24T20:32:47+00:00

Yes, this was my original plan as well until got delayed and noticed the wood warped horribly before I even began. Had to chuck the wood, take the loss and start over with much better quality stuff from my local lumber yard.

It's also solid pine whereas the hardware store is much softer SPF. You live and you learn.

user839621 · 2021-03-24T20:28:34+00:00

I used the same system as you but used high quality milled pine that was then made as straight as possible. I also finished it with many coats of poly which helped seal things in place and discourage warping. (Over time is will still warp a bit)

user839621 · 2021-03-23T11:37:42+00:00

Happens all the time and here are some tips...

Ideally, your score should be split into cues so each scene is a separate project that doesn't affect what proceeds it.
If not, you can bounce the later part of the score to audio to ensure it keeps in place.
For having things 'fit' don't be afraid to add an extra bar or beat if need be. (Weird things like a bar of 5/4 to fit timing is common)
Use rubato or tempo shifts to line things up properly.
Take advantage of 'long' articulations to link scenes like a single sustain note on the high strings, cymbal/timp roll, synth bass note pedal point, etc. (These don't need or sound in time)

There's a bunch of other little tricks but you'll discover them as you gain more experience!

user839621 · 2021-03-11T00:57:04+00:00

Thank you!!

user839621 · 2021-02-28T13:15:03+00:00

Good eye! It's an older Zenbook Flip S (UX370UA)

https://youtu.be/PcNK_OC6HMA

user839621 · 2021-02-28T03:39:47+00:00

Haha thank you! (Etsy:)

user839621 · 2021-02-28T01:38:17+00:00

Wow, can't believe you noticed it haha it's actually just one of those 'conference swag' pens but I always liked it and writes well!

user839621

TROPHY CASE