Location: Norway
Member Since:
Jan. 25, 2014
renegade77
Smashwords book reviews by renegade77
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Time Signatures: Finite to Infinity
on Jan. 28, 2014
When I started of trying to learn how to make hip hop beats, I started studying music theory. Learning the scales, the chords, modes and so on. It has helped me alot. But last week I had to accept that my skills in making the actual beat, the drumming, was limited. I had no problems in putting a synth on a beat and make it sound as I wanted, but I often ended up feeling that my beats needed some dynamic variations beside changing of the chords/melody line or whatever. I needed to improve my drumming! But, I have never understood the time-signatures in depth, and the real relationship between the hihats and the kick/snares. When I surfed the internet in how to make hip hop beats, all sites that I ended up reading said I had to start first with the kick and the snare. Well, after reading this book I have got an entire new view, and approach, in how to make beats. Its a logic in drumming, not just a feel. It is a logic that acts as a basic to achieve that groove we feel. And after reading this book I have overcome the barrier I had making drum beats. Why use triplets? When to use 8th notes and what options will that give me? What time signature should I keep my beat in, and if I choose a certain time signature, what kind of natural options will it give me to create a cool beat? And the best of all, what options do I have to "break the rules"? Its all in this book. And it applies to all kind of genres, from Waltz to metal. I recommend you to read the book several times until you actually get the point. The book is not more than 40 pages or something, but everything you need to know is there! Also have to mention that I've corresponded with the author through email because I had a few questions. This guy is brilliant and really interested in sharing his knowledge. Top notch!