Q. I started learning piano yesterday. Since I've been playing guitar for 3 1/2 years now, I picked up on the concept of scales and chords very quickly. I'm currently learning the whole concept of the formation of piano chords, but the point is I wanted to learn to play Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd, and I was wondering if there was a website that could teach me to learn how to read sheet music. Thanks!
A. Try this site:
http://www.the-piano-lessons-software-expert.co.uk/
What software are these producers using to make dubstep?
Q. Are they using some kind of software that drills the basslines, or are they just tweaking the parameter knobs in normal software. I have Massive from Native Instruments and was just wondering if I'd be able to do the same.
A. Anyway, I want to share some of technics and advice with people, as I think it could help out people quite alot. Im not a professional by any means, but as I said, i've had good feedback and i'd like to share my thoughts on the music making process with you all.
First of all, if you dont know what Dubstep is, go and check it out. Particular favorites are Caspa (www.myspace.com/caspadubstep) and Rusko (www.myspace.com/ruskonfire). These two are what got me into dubstep in the first place, listening to Fabriclive37 (my all time favorite track being Africa, by 'The Others') and since then i've found lots of other artists that i absolutely love (See my profile page, But a few names are Bar9, The Widdler, Reso, Stenchman and Suspect) all of which can be found on myspace.
Rather than do a step by step process of making good music, i'll just write out a few pointers, as you cant really say 1) do this 2) do this 3) publish, it doesnt work like that unfortunately! So lets begin.
#) I think a good thing to start out with is your software. Things like fruity loops and magix music maker are all very well and good, but they dont produce the results and the versitality that the pro's use. Personally I use Cubase SX3 (Im hoping to get version 5 soon, on a student license, for ã241) Which i really like. I started off making music a long time ago in Magix Music Maker v2, which was free of a magazine, and was crap. It was basically an arranger and nothing more, and i knew nothing about VSTs and effects or anything. Mind you, i wasnt making dubstep then, just screwy messy trippy type songs with various waves that i had.
Other music production software (DAWs) that are really good are Reason, Reaktor, and Sony Acid Pro (which Rusko uses). And im going to investigate Reason soon, when i get round to it. But for now im sticking with Cubase. Its logical, and I really like the way it works, because its quite similar to the old MM v2 that I used to use, just alot, lot better.
#)Build up a sound collection. Over the years (probly about 8 now) I've built up my sample collection from many many different sources. Its something like 8 or 9 GB now, and its got loads of stuff from magazine free-bee collections to things i found online, to samples from TV and Films and anything else i thought was worth saving.
#)Get a MIDI keyboard. I cant play piano (although im kind of learning) but the MIDI keyboard helps so much. I can load up a synth, and just fiddle around with notes and LFO settings until I find something worth making. Before i was just putting notes in and hoping they sound good. I've got an *extremely* basic knowledge of chords, but i also found a very good tool called Scaletool, which tells me any chord i wish to know and I use alot. (www.scaletool.com) So now i can make a quick drum beat, and set up my MIDI track to output to my Synth, and just play along until something sounds nice.
What songwriting software would you recommend for a computer novice?
Q. To give my music a professional look, and also to speed the creative process, I am looking for some suggestions on software that would help me put my music on paper a little faster (currently I am handwriting). As I am also in need of a computer, what is the best type (PC, MAC, etc.)? I am writing a little in the way of lead sheets, but mostly I've been writing choral music with small orchestration so it's time consuming, and the program needs to be able to deal with several lines and parts coming and going; sometimes the vocal has a solo line over the SATB, then in the next section it is only SATB, etc.
A. Bless your heart! I have been through the handwriting process. It's a pain.
My dear friend, who is also a song writer got a new computer and gave me her old PC which has Sibelius music writing program on it. I have been so happy to finally get my music on paper in a more professional looking and more easily readable form. I really can't say about other programs. But, I really like this one for my needs. I have done lead sheets with melody and chord markings, piano or keyboard and voice, as well as parts. There are many features which I have not yet learned to use, including playing the music as you want it and the program writing it for you. This is a good for people who have piano skill. I am a vocalist with limited keyboard ability, even though I am a trained musician.
I hope this info helps and may your songs bring joy to many.
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Title : Best link to learn to play piano sheet music?
Description : Q. I started learning piano yesterday. Since I've been playing guitar for 3 1/2 years now, I picked up on the concept of scales and cho...