ELEMENTAL ARRANGING - clarity in orchestration

How do we take atomized elements in music we like, blend them together, and come up with something unique? Is there such thing as true originality?
ADAM NEELY x LITTLE KRUTA - CLARITY (my cover that I reference heavily in this video)
• Adam Neely x Little Kr...
GET 20th CENTURY HARMONY FOR ALL OF YOUR TRIPLE POLYCHORD NEEDS
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STOLEN ELEMENTS
DrewOfTheDrew's cover of Thinking Bout You (Bass Vocoder)
• Thinkin Bout You (Live...
Pinn Pannelle's cover of Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (chopped vocal samples on a keyboard)
• Skrillex - Scary Monst...
Snarky Puppy w/ the Metropole Orkestra (jazz fusion with an orchestra)
• Snarky Puppy, Metropol...
SUPPORT ME ON PATREON
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FOLLOW ME ON THE INTERNETS
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Check out some of my music
sungazermusic.b...
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Peace,
Adam

[@michelthegreatable]

"If you steal from one source, it's theft. If you steal from many sources, it's research" -Guthrie Govan

[@5610winston]

Again, relates to Tom Lehrer: "Plagiarize! Let no one else's work evade your eyes! Remember why the Good Lord made your eyes, So don't shade your eyes, But plagiarize! Plagiarize! Plagiarize, but be sure always to call it, please, 'Research.'" the Lobachevsky Song

[@shadowx2750]

link ?

[@michelthegreatable]

@@shadowx2750 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b16TeHaCaLujoLM

[@martinkrauser4029]

Look, Adam, we're onto you. It worked for a while, but by now everyone on the forums knows that the other guy is just you in a grey room wearing a black-and-white costume.

[@WanderTheNomad]

These crazy conspiracy theorists.

[@citrusblast4372]

"The forums" thats so zach hadel lmao

[@AdamNeely]

fake news

[@johnmurphy5783]

Adam Neely SAD.

[@ejipuh]

But the other guy has a beard and asks questions!

[@WheeljacksScoreVideos]

As Stravinsky said, "Lesser Artists Borrow, Greater Artists Steal"

[@getlost8027]

Which apparently he stole from Picasso. Who probably didn't originate it either.

[@cullenderoche1589]

T.S. Eliot said it, too, didn't he? Huh. Proves his point, doesn't it?

[@letsif]

I'm going to steal that saying, which will make me great.

[@ipyf8574]

You might be stoned, but you'll never be 'Adam Neely at 17 with fries in his nose stoned'.

[@NotRightMusic]

Or be so bad at trying to copy other people's music that your own music actually comes out sounding fantastically original.

[@AdamNeely]

+Not Right Music always a possibility!

[@auxchar]

This is my life.

[@Jefferson-ly5qe]

Mac Demarco says that's how he started out in music. It's about 7:15 in this vid v=s3YjvtjozCk

[@thescowlingschnauzer]

Born to Run was Bruce Springsteen trying to sing like Roy Orbison. To Love Somebody was the BeeGees trying to sound like Otis Redding. Shiny from Moana was Lin Manuel Miranda trying to sound like Bowie...

[@tiffanygabriel2311]

That's actually how I started writing music. When I was little I tried playing Cyndi Lauper's "Good Enough" (from The Goonies) on my older brother's cheap duophonic keyboard. I changed up the rhythm, started deviating from the actual notes, basically let my hands start wandering. Eventually my brother went from trying to interrupt me with "The Goonies suck" to "that's not the theme from The Goonies" to "what exactly are you trying to play now" to "how are you doing that?" When I got a fancier keyboard (four note polyphony instead of my brothers' two note) I tried playing the theme to Top Gun (the NES rendition, specifically, as at the time I didn't even know the game was based on a movie). Once again my hands started wandering until it was nothing like Top Gun. Or anything my brother and I had heard on the radio, but he seemed to like it. Now I'm the organist for my church and I have to concentrate to keep from taking the hymn I'm playing and using it as a jumping off point for improv. Every Sunday there's a very real danger of the hymns turning into that scene from The Simpsons where the band is playing "Stars and Stripes Forever" while Lisa is doing her own thing. Imagine the congregation singing Sweet Hour of Prayer while I'm doing some weird syncopated thing on the organ transitioning into another key signature.

[@henkdevries7336]

People in the comments see stuff like a pull up bar in the kitchen, or a C clef actually being used. I saw fries up Adam's nose. Today was a good day.

[@ze_rubenator]

I'm with you, pull-up bars and C-clefs are used all the time, putting fries up your nose is a little bit more special.

[@MrAzureJames]

alto clef fan here /sheepishly walks away/

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

Ew, C clefs (This is a joke... coming from a violinist, so not really...)

[@DominicAirola]

That Clarity with all those triple poly chords was actually pretty awesome.

[@2small4theMall]

I was whistling a melody, wondering if I should record it and if it's even original, right before I clicked on the notification for this video and got an immediate answer: 0:00

[@cccm92]

For those who found the idea of "originality" being merely a conglomeration of stolen ideas interesting, there is a fantastic book that backs up everything Mr. Neely here said. "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon is a phenomenal little book that talks about the "genealogy of ideas" and lots of other cool stuff. It's from a visual art standpoint, but really applies to ANYONE that does ANYTHING creative. Great book. And, as always, fantastic video Adam. Love your work, man.

[@ezramancini1491]

I actually love the version with only triple polychords unironically.

[@samuelmoehring3783]

I enjoyed the Clarity arrangement, and this look into your creative process makes me enjoy it even more! I especially appreciate how you have been bringing your extensive arrangement skills to bear on lots of pop music. Refreshing anti-snobbery.

[@Corredor1230]

Adam, I really like how you've ended up building a style and approach to your channel. We end up having recurring characters (like the Jazz maniac), the transitions are consistent, and even some inside jokes for regular watchers (like the synth and vocals comment). I really do think that the channel feels the most consistent and cohesive its ever been. Keep up the good work, this channel is great.

[@TorenOfficial]

That video opened my eyes again. Please never stop.

[@rodrigorebolledo9918]

Omfg I really need "The Drop" at 6:20, you cruel piece of bass.

[@practiceaxis3657]

Oh man, the fact that you reused that PROTIP comment at 5:30 gave me life

[@fudgesauce]

I'm going to ignore the great content of the video in order to ask, referring to 3:35, when was the last time you used that pull-up bar in your kitchen doorway? I've always had the feeling that people get them, use them for a couple weeks, then after a few months of inducing shame, they eventually become invisible until eventually find their way to the Goodwill.

[@spoddie]

He's a musician, I'm guessing it belongs to a room mate ;)

[@musicalneptunian]

You miss the entire point of the pull up bar. Its aim is not physical exertion. Rather, the pull up bar balances the abstract musical bar.

[@Bebopopotamus]

fudgesauce I have one. It's really just something to do when you walk through the doorway. Takes a few seconds, then you go on about your day. Maybe you do it a few times a day.

[@jasperiscool]

It's actually just a pickup bar.

[@javierolmedo4927]

A musician walks into a bar...

[@zomat7955]

Adam Neely: the KZbin-Jazz-Zen-Master. The thing you are looking for doesn't exist. It is only the illusion you get from balancing what is already there. That said, I like Zen, and I think I learned a lot from this video. Thanks, man.

[@terepanjaitan]

I WANT 5:47 TO BE A FULL VERSION! SOUNDS SO DENSE AND ALIENATING!

[@mikehall5835]

For someone often struggling with composition and ideas, like myself, this is such a great insightful post.

[@knuckles1211]

It’s 4am and I’m binge watching your vids, I just found your channel today. And I wanna skip laughing and go straight to tears every single time I hear the meme of jazz in your videos. Keep up the good work man

[@maisharona5861]

I've read quite a few pieces on this idea outside of music, and I didn't realize that my 'style' derives mainly from older rock with some influences from Strawberry girls, alt-j, and Iron and Wine, three of my favorite groups that are completely different. Thank you for bringing up how we naturally combine things we hear, even if we don't think that we do!

[@galdrekweigandkahal7916]

Oddly enough, i discovered your channel and this video when i was 17 and i been kept hooked whit harmony ever since.

[@codymccormick2613]

Narration happens a lot in electronic music. At least I think lol I wrote a dubstep song and used an anime fight as a structure for how the energy flows. I never knew it was a legitimately recognized musical technique. Thank you again for all your amazing knowledge and all that sweet luscious jazz

[@phillipsiebold8351]

Thank you for poking a little fun at chord geeks. It is very tedious to listen to and doesn't really talk about writing actual songs that people want to listen to. The video here does a good job.

[@Chilajuana]

I've had the Twentieth Century Harmony Book 40 years and I still haven't scratched the surface of it's intriguing information...

[@Opaqu.e]

Pinn Panelle deserve so much more credit than they have, it's good to see their reach is so big!

[@kodysullivan7582]

Hi Adam! I'm watching this for the first time in 2020 so this may be buried and you may not see this unless you check the comments of your videos every once in a while when you eat ice cream on the sofa-- I've played guitar for a long time and studied pretty far into music theory and picked apart many songs and have written pretty rad original songs too! I've suffered from a kind of "one-hit-wonder" syndrome where one of my original songs got a pretty impressive (to me) amount of streams on a music platform. Since that success, I've had this weird anxiety, when creating, to "one-up" myself and make things within the /same realm/ as that little hit song of mine. Long story short- it's made songwriting an extremely difficult thing for me to wrap my head around naturally and calmly. I always feel like I'm scrambling to gather up all these elements and make some equation out of my many influences when I sit down to write... it's like I'm drowning in nebulous possibility and pressure to make things just as good or better than my /best/ song! In all, I just want to thank you for making so many of these informational and composer-validating videos. I'm glad I found your channel, there's bits of Clarity in every video I watch. Cheers mate!

[@suburiboy]

I've been watching your show for a while now, and I'm loving that you're at the point where you can be self referential, and the jokes still land perfectly. ("pro tip", "black and white luscious jazz chords guy", etc.)

[@vseghal1]

This was a great video Adam would you ever consider doing a video where you compose a small orchestral piece ? I know you've done videos where you compose for particular instruments and stuff but composing a small piece for a orchestra would be amazing cause a lot of my friends (and me) have wondered how composers give specific parts to particular instruments and stuff Thanks Great video!!

[@josephbrandenburg4373]

vinayak sehgal Try the youtube channel Orchestration Online

[@MrAzureJames]

Rimsky Korsakov has a great book on orchestration

[@shizzlmadizzlv2207]

Adam Neely: teaching me stuff i barly understand about music so i can show of to people who don't understand a thing about music. Great work dude, keep it up!

[@MrTromboneGuy]

Yes, @Adam Neely, many composers and performers are looking for a font of inspiration, trying to innovate. That juicy, sweet lusciousness that is jazz is what a lot of us are here for. Thank you for the light hearted explanations :))

[@txsphere]

I love the pro tip about the synths and vocals in the same key. The nod to Sister Rosetta was nice.

[@royverges]

Wow Adam, great video. Got me thinking about ways that I maybe have been boring, or not thinking of "story" when laying out my musical ideas. Maybe your best video yet.

[@brianwilson7934]

Sometimes, I feel like you're talking directly to/about me and I love that. Thank you so much for this channel, and for teaching me music theory.

[@pacosizzle]

You're videos get better with every upload. Great job mate

[@dirtierdog]

Once again, I came into this video thinking, "Whatever, another basic music production video." and once again I learned a lot and feel I ha e changed as a writer and producer. Thank you.

[@L00MER]

Yeah. This actually might have been your best video yet. Or at least the most relevant for me. Thanks for doing this.

[@Herfinnur]

I'd love to hear you talk more about orchestration, especially because of the way you use the video medium; it just makes me see the possibilities in ways that other books and videos on the subject haven't (except for your buddy, the dr.)

[@antiv]

You really have no idea (or, maybe you do) how insanely great it is that you are giving us your entire education for free (I know, you're not, but you know what I'm saying). And you are a great teacher btw.

[@Fassislau]

The best video in the internet explaining the creative process and the art of composing/arranging!

[@jamiemc2313]

I would argue that if you can easily discern a new song by an artist with almost complete confidence simply by listening to the music, they have created a style of music that is 'original' - simply by definition. They have an original style. It can be the melodic structure, the particular arrangements and more obvious tings like the vocals or guitar sound. All combined into a unique sonic identity. Original doesn't have to mean every aspect of your sound has never been attempted before, that's probably not possible anymore. Every author uses the same letters and words, but that doesn't mean they can't be creative. It's what you do with the letters and words - the order in which they appear - that really defines you as an artist. I think music is this and more, since the palette is so abstract and varied, with many phrases, so many words possible at any given time. Most sonic moments are in fact completely unique on a technical level. This is why programs like Shazam are so effective. Music is an exciting art form for this reason. So many "moments" in music as truly original. Also - just because someone does something that someone else has done before, doesn't mean it was stolen. I think this happens all of the time in music, especially areas of musical composition that are less 'learned'. People independently recreate musical ideas all of the time. Anyhow great topic and brilliant as always!

[@Misterg1997]

Amazing! We need more educators like you: great knowledge of theory and capacity to explain that in a logical/comprehensible way! I love you Adam (no homo)

[@dawnpatrol666]

This is literally the greatest music channel on youtube. Holy shit.

[@Christopherjazzcat]

This may be my favourite video of yours to date. There is so much in that to internalise and try to apply. Thank you Adam, love your work.

[@__donez__]

I learned about so many new artists just from this video alone

[@stonemirror247]

I much enjoy your work Adam. I also have a benevolent and tentative yet thoughtful resistance to 2 of your suppositions. And they might be completely unrelated to the video, but it just got me thinking, and what better place to bring it up? 1)One example of music that has neither tension nor resolution (unless you manufacture it) but is perfectly wonderful is that of nature sounds. Although on a macro level, most people who pay attention to this music use it deliberately as a resolution to the tension inherent to life itself. But that proves that those 2 elements don't have to be contained in the music itself, and it is still debatable that either of the two is absolutely necessary to a good story. It may supply a certain type of satisfaction, but satisfaction doesn't have to be the purpose of music. Communication can be the purpose of music. I'm actually a bit tired of drama and story. I'd rather have something that just is, and stands alone. I could listen to just one chord, like looking at a lake glistening in the sun. What story is there? A cluster of sparkles, a wave, another wave. It hits the rocks. Whoa, conflict? lol No, it's just an event. Perceived in the right way? Beauty. Awe-inspiring. 2) I do think that there is "nothing new under the sun." However, I think there are original people walking around. Yes, it may all be elemental arranging that they do, but I believe the way that one arranges ideas and materials is a creative process which, if done for the first time in a new way, constitutes originality as best we can accomplish it. Your position seems to be similar to someone telling the inventor of the wheel that it's really not that impressive that they found something to make the transportation of objects much easier, simply because they used materials found in the natural world to make the wheel. And then I think Henry Ford and many others built on the ideas of the past with their added value of originality, and now we view cars as a necessity, filled with all the elements thought of by those who wanted to make them more functional in our lives. Same with music. I'd say Beethoven was original. With your reasoning, one cannot. After all, he used sonatas, he used pianofortes, heck, he used musical notation. He used notes, after all those people before him used notes! Unoriginal! haha Nah, I think if you have a hitherto undiscovered perspective on that which already exists, you are still being create-ive with what you have. Create means you originate something. Innovation is originality, even if it's built upon former originality. And that opens the door to paving your own road more than saying you have to rely on that which is already established. Yet, I tend to dislike covers. Much better to do something completely new, which means it's more authentic to the person communicating through the music. I guess it's hard to maintain the logic of a position that appreciates both authenticity and originality, but yet I tend to feel appreciation for both. I hope none of this sounds rude. I just enjoy thinking about these things with people who may understand them and say either yay or nay. I tend to enjoy having a different (hopefully original) opinion than most people. Feedback welcome.

[@seenbelow]

IMO to add to what you said, extremes in composition are only justified if the mix can paint a very enthralling, emotional image. That cannot be done unless the 'tension and release' is taking form somehow. Otherwise they are just a proof of concept that not many is looking forward to when listening to music, much like the "fastest guitar player in the world" or the like. By the way I'm getting hooked real hard on that Charles Mingus recording. Never heard about the guy before (I'm not very familiar with jazz, rather when it's mixed into metal or rock). Great stuff, thanks for including it.

[@AntoineMichaudGuitar]

This video is pure gold!

[@themusicofgenesis]

Holy sh... that was like five books worth of information/inspiration in less than nine minutes. Thanks a lot for this great presentation!

[@maxkolbl1527]

Here is an idea: Adam Neely is a postmodernist composer

[@TerrorBlades]

But Adam, how does Elemental Arranging work with 432hz?

[@AdamNeely]

no

[@cbfedge5593]

Cool profile pic

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

It doesn't.

[@MePeterNicholls]

terrorblades is that A at that or Ab? Or G#? Mean tone tuning? Or just intonation?

[@crinosnocturne]

that was great adam. I personally always thought about that way in a sense. trying to get things from the songs you hear and like, applying them in different contexts in a subtle way can lead to 'new paths' to others, but only yourself will know from where you stole that idea.

[@xXjuangarciaXx]

Dude, I'm 18 and just getting into jazz, but I've already dipped my toes into some more complex harmony and theory (nothing super special, your knowledge dwarfs it) and I wanted to tell you that your videos have me hooked on learning as much as possible. Hopefully I can learn as much as I can before (hopefully) going to college for this, so thanks for the videos!

[@LouerTube]

SHUT UP WITH THAT POLYTHEORY CRAP. I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUSIC CAN BE SQUIDWARD!

[@mikesimpson3207]

Spongebob: bouncy, major, diatonic theme Squidward: angular, chromatic, maybe minor, to sound grumpy Have their themes "argue" in the development. Voila, you have a spongebob sonata (maybe make it a double concerto as well, with clarinet playing squidwards theme and something loud like trumpet or oboe playing spongebob's).

[@slendy9600]

Mike Simpson please make this

[@Nathan-wm8yb]

Mike Simpson SpongeBobs instrument should be a piccolo or a musette (piccolo oboe) because of SpongeBob's nose whistle in the title sequence

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

what about Patrick though? C Major on a tuba, because it's happy, simple and lazy.

[@Sean-Ax]

Mike Simpson .This is amazing! Somebody needs to bring this idea to fruition!

[@juancito9410]

Hey Adam! Question for your next Q&A. I'm a puerto rican trumpet player and I've noticed that many latin american musicians that play jazz struggle to "sound" like jazz musicians even though they use jazz vocabulary. It's kind of like if you hear me speaking english. I might use the language correctly but you'll easily notice I have a weird accent. I wanted to know your take on this. What constitutes the "jazz sound"? What can you do to improve this aspect? Thanks in advance

[@juanpablo255]

Yess!! I have the same question. Please Adam answer us! Thanks..!!!

[@TheOutZZ]

+Antonio Rivera Torres I'll be damned, this question is on point! That was a thing I was wondering too! Would be great if he could answer it.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Sounds that people grew up with mainly, but also non musical influences play a huge part in how people emote with not just music and language, but also body language, and even social inclinations. What may be something seen as refined by one culture, can often be interpreted as repressed by another culture, and vice versa. What people feel is influenced in large part by the attitudes they grow up around, and any form of art is an expression of feelings. Basically it is their musical-accent. In my personal opinion though, the greatest difference in this case lies in the timing much more than in the phrasing. And a lot in dynamics and other subtle inflections as well.

[@XANDRE.]

I don't know if he's ever answered this question, but I think this is the most interesting question I've seen posted on a video. I'd love to know his take!

[@Doormin]

"chords can be spongebob" -adam neely of adam neely's bass lessons

[@aaronsmith7736]

Hey Adam, just want to say, you have a new subscriber and patreon. I know you'll probably never read this, but I really appreciate the way you can take music and portray it in a very rational way. This really is an awesome way to approach it, so keep it up!

[@branchesrecords680]

I listened to clarity on your spotify this morning, and that bass vocoder bit stuck with me all day. so glad I watched this video tonight, really really enjoyed those tracks

[@TdF_101]

Nice video, and even though I'm not saying anything new, from experience I can say that what you show in the video is very, very true, no matter what music you write. I wish the "young, arrogant me" would have seen this years ago when I started studying composition. I'd also add that in "contemporary classical music" many composers (famous or not) should revisit the concept of tension and release, that today is sometimes lost.

[@SaveKlalz]

3:34 Mad cheeky transition into part 2 of the essay, much appreciated!

[@14jemima]

The example of your arrangement of "Clarity" is about CONSCIOUS, deliberate, stealing. When we compose music -- at least when I do -- the stealing is generally unconscious. And that's the fascinating part. All those things that are there, somewhere, in our musical baggage and come out unbeknownst to us. That strenghtens your point that nobody is original.

[@danfarm]

I love your version of clarity man.

[@Scubadog_]

This is actually one of the most inspiring videos I've ever watched.

[@aliensporebomb]

I actually took the vocoded section differently after listening to it a few times - it's like your version of Clarity is a conversation between a couple on the verge of breakup or getting back together and he's on the telephone far away and the woman in right here at the point of narration. I think this concept fits even better now than I did than when I first saw it. If you listen to the lyrics it really fits. Anyway, cool video.

[@NavarreAnthony]

Inside//Outside is awesome!

[@ChrisComstock612]

So much great information. I feel like such a smarter musician after I watch your videos.

[@B7musicstudio]

I feel like this point (at 2:36) deserves more emphasis (I still believe in originality): "The specific elements that we might steal from our influences are meaningless on their own. It's the context that you give them, with something (like narrative structure) that gives them their meaning. This gives you the means to hopefully achieve that elusive originality."

[@dr.dileepjamma3778]

I love the way you explain it with Star wars 👌

[@GHRiz]

I am really super pleased to see you mention DrewoftheDrew, cause he's incredible, and everyone should check him out, both for himself, and because chasing him will lead you to a bunch of other amazing musicians like Maddie Rice (who you might already know as the guitarist in Stay Human, Stephen Colbert's band), Joanna Teters, who is an incredible vocalist, and JP Bouvet and Ian Barnett both of whom are amazing drummers. Also, the troll at 5:00. I laughed. A lot. LOL.

[@mykolas3587]

Your whole video is like a Build (tension) up to the point, where we hear closing background music. Then one really knows that the Drop is comming very soon. Which is BASS, of course. This release gives a moment of such satisfaction, that without it I wouldn't even know what You were talking about. Jk, thank You very much for sharing. #momentsofclarity

[@Detc0n]

"PROTIP: Make sure the synth and the vocals are in the SAME KEY!" Is my new favorite meme

[@jjjj7749]

Thanks Adam, this is great not only for composing but also for improvising a solo!

[@HazeAnderson]

I don't think your compositions like this are going to stand the test of time.

[@XANDRE.]

Dude, this is a great video. Goes down in the top five.

[@thomasexlager1324]

Thank you Adam, simply thank you!

[@deviousxen]

I really need to make a notebook of associations with how I see music... From the 'atonal and polyrhythmic' Stuff and stream of consciousness moments of negative space and seeming chaos to things more intentional than 'Get this out of my effing head.' Cause, I don't necessarily have synesthesia note per note as strongly, but with the CONTEXT of what those notes or, really, just, pitches/rhythms etc ... To the point of getting mental scenes and visuals which inspired stories and... Very vivid scenes have still survived synaptic pruning as far as I can tell. Depression is the worst enemy, it seems, of my synesthesia and sense of character and theme in relation to riff or lick or moment or counter moment or etc. Good vid. Needed more motivation to keep following theory despite my music rising out of that subconscious stream of its own version of music... Well... Resolving these things is the dream in mastering my craft. And that's the story of why I want an additive, Buchla inspired oscillator for my synth and am a chiptune and pedal dork hahaha

[@jasonkline267]

Logical and enjoyable follow up! Thanks for continuing to illuminate the process!

[@FunnyFany]

Oh boy, I needed to hear that opening statement. I've been struggling to finish a relatively big college assignment (an animated series pitch bible) because I don't think there's a single thing 100% original in it, and even though I really like how it's coming along I was wrecking my head trying to think of something that hasn't been done before while still maintaining that _thing I like_ about it. I mean, it's sort of a *duh* realisation, but what matters is how the "stollen" concepts are repurposed in context, and it's a relief that I'm allowed to not be original all the way through.

[@NotMeInc]

Yay, new Adam Neely video!

[@arquivoNPG]

Adam, could you do a video talking the music theory behind pirate sea shanties?

[@husnainali-gn8bo]

He did it

[@robinbongos]

I really appreciate your videos Adam. Thank you.

[@rickrobillard9190]

I agree with you on the originality of things. I was amazed by Hallan Holdsworth on this.

[@joshevans5127]

everything about this idea for creating your list of takes is awesome. It's just refreshing to see a professional such as yourself being blunt about this concept, which most people, on the fly, will say that this 'stealing' is abhorrent. Good job. Personally I saw some fragments of 'Sunlight' by Herbie Hancock with the voco-fusion in your 'Clarity' cover.

[@Earthandweather]

Creativity and "originality" is what it is...It is what you say and much much more. Generally speaking, originality in any endeavor is "as a consequence" of something actually unique about the person's physique or intellect. Artists tend to like art before they begin creating it and this tends to create goal posts and guidelines for the artist....What to paint and how to paint it, etc. But, mimicry is a clown's art form. To learn from an artist and then use that knowledge to create a new work is not stealing....unless you've learned nothing and used everything.

[@violetjune5046]

I think a good example of a band that uses tension with almost no resolution is The Paper Chase especially on the album Now You Are One Of Us. My opinion is the harmonic discordance of the music perfectly coexists with the narrative of schizophrenia, the supernatural, body horror and control that the album puts forth.

[@TamaraUsatova]

Very useful, Adam! Love, love it!

[@PianoCat-Music]

5:08! Really loved that part. kappa

[@doug_howe]

Good stuff Adam. Thanks for "clarifying" polytonals for me. I am sure that others have punned in a similar way... I am borrowing the pun to be original. But seriously, awesome input! Love your videos.

[@zalanderwild254]

Not gonna lie, it's taken me nearly a year and multiple times watching this video, but i can finally listen to triple-polychord-clarity, understand it and... dare i say... almost sorta like it? Maybe? Does mean my musical ear has developed, allowing me to appreciate the crazy harmonies going on... or have i just become "immune" to bat*bass* mental chords?

[@novaturient4404]

I literally take 4 motifs of the series I'm making a cover of and counter harmonize it and then mix the motifs itself. It's funzies

[@faltonito]

Finally just subscribed after watching all of your bass lessons. SO GOOD

[@thomaslossius7136]

Thanks so much, Adam! Extremely interesting stuff! If you get the time, I'd love to hear more about the orchestration harmonically and melodically in the string/horn sections for the whole tune. Been transcribing small parts of it, and am finding it so tasteful and nicely done. Would love to hear more about what's happening!

[@BaguetteRoulette]

I really appreciate that the video follows kind of the same 3 acts as the music should do in McNeelys theory.

[@dusanaga]

however i feels like that Sax solo at 2:35 before the drop is even more mind-blowing

[@BrunoWiebelt]

Thanks for given me some clarity , about composing

[@umblapag]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you for this material. I'm no musician, but this quality of information is great to learn anyway

[@aidensullivan6891]

Honestly 20th century Harmony is like a Bible for musicians. I have the book myself and I can never stop looking back to it.

[@pinkfloydicus]

i actually enjoyed that the pure polychord example...not for everyone maybe but I dug it

[@microwavetechnician7493]

Those polychords are black metal as fuck. I think that sort of melody would work great on a guitar...

[@getlost8027]

Dunno about guitar, but I can tell you on synth strings they can set a piece on fire ;D

[@icarius13oo]

fantastic video, thank you so much for exploring/explaining this concept. This gives me a lot to chew on as I consider what to produce and how to produce it.