Let's Write Music! EP1 (Part 1: Melodic Sketch)

To get in touch with me for Zoom composition or piano lessons, commissions, collaborations, or just a friendly chat, you can use the email [e-mail]

[@jean-naymar602]

That's... So... frustrating. I can't even write one bar of something remotely interessting and this dude come up with this in 30 minutes. Well done. I really liked it.

[@gurvirbilkhu2202]

I can do the melodic part and usually compose for orchestra up till the 3-4 min part then struggle to go any further, I'm 16 tho, I have time to perfect this lmao

[@Thorinbur]

That was amazing. I hate it when I hear 3 notes and immediately hear whole melody in my head but lack the ability to do anything with it. Can't really play any instrument profficiently enought and lack any kind of theory. trraining to do anything with it.It is very nice to see someone elses process who knows what he's doing.

[@edelcorrallira]

Thorinbur My suggestion is record yourself humming it... This works as a placeholder. Then choose your favorite part and grab an instrument and fish for it note by note. You might want to focus on a few notes at a time, a tuner will tell you which note that is (like say C5) and your humming already captured the rythm. Start small, don't overwhelm yourself and you will get better. I used to pick my guitar and write tab, but there were no smartphones back then (and I didn't read sheet at all). Right now I'm trying to learn by transcribing small fragments to musical notation. There are programs that listen and transcribe ... they may be good?? Haven't tried doing that in like 15 years so dunno Hope it helps :)

[@Antonsklv]

That's what I have figured out for myself. Just record your humbling and then you will have all time on the earth to transcribe that humbling onto a score.

[@bonbonpony]

I tried that myself once, and it is a good way of coming up with interesting pieces. But there's one little problem: it lacks harmonization. It's just one voice for the main melody. So when listening to these recording at some later time, it turns out to sound very different from what I originally had in mind when recording it, because it was the chords and other background information that gave it the proper context. The melody on itself might have very different feeling depending on the choice of chords, and this information is usually lost when using this technique. I tried to kinda overcome this problem by recording some arpeggios of the chords I originally wanted for the piece to have, but sometimes I can't figure out the exact combination of notes for the chord I have in my mind. I have a certain feeling and I know what chord can convey it, but I don't know what that chord is and what notes it is made of, and arpeggiating it doesn't always work. (Sometimes it can even produce a false chord which just shared some of the notes with the one I originally had in mind.) So I guess unless someone invents a machine that will be able to record music directly from our brains, this is the best we can do :q

[@JJBerthume]

Okay guys - so I have a large slot of free time this week and am going to make another series of videos like this. What genre would you like to see? Dramatic? Spacey? Western? Action music? Chiptune? Tom and Jerry-esque?

[@JJBerthume]

JJay Berthume Or maybe something impressionistic and foresty, with mysterious harmonies, or a relaxing village theme with a memorable tune, or flying music?

[@OpusDecibel]

JJay Berthume First of all, you have truly inspired me to write some music again (i'm not very good :P). And about the genre, how about some Western/Action music? Or both perhaps? :D

[@dynamicmusicacademyonline]

Action Movie.......Genre would be good

[@4thwioko]

JJay Berthume Tom and Jerry sounds pretty interesting , I'll 100% watch it!!

[@danielbuckentin3855]

+JJay Berthume I find it quite unusual and impressive that you make such good chiptune songs, it would be really nice to watch your process on that! But seriously, any style would do, thank you so much for uploading these, awesome work!

[@Hearthful_]

Oh god I've been looking for a series like this, explaining everything from start to finish for many years, and now I got it from one of my favorite composers! :D thanks so much!

[@JJBerthume]

MrFishManify Glad you enjoy it! :D

[@mjaysathyamusic]

JJay, I just discovered your videos. This is priceless for beginner composers. Hats off to you my friend, thank you so much! I have two questions, though. 1) How do you input your notes so quickly? What's your setup like? A midi keyboard and numpad? Is there a video you could make that explains how you make your input so efficient and easy? So that you concentrate more on the creative aspect and not the technical? 2) After you figured out the melody, how did you come up with the chords so quickly? I guess I'm asking for a quick theory lesson. What chords work under the melody, and how you found it out so easily. :) Thanks so much again, thank god I stumbled onto this channel.

[@GutjahrSoundtracks]

you work a lot with passion! i like it a lot!

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

28:20 the finished piano product.

[@jassab8420]

You literally beat you keyboard! lol!! I accidentally took out a keyboard key out of hard finger bumping!

[@bret6484]

Best part by far was the singing. Reminds me of Nacho Libre. 10/10

[@JJBerthume]

Link for the PDF is in the description! :)

[@kamile8670]

"Brilliant-Fantastic-Awesome"

[@jamesaaron788]

This is literally my favorite thing on youtube. I don't know if you know how much getting into another composer's head helps, but it helps. Thank you.

[@JJBerthume]

James Aaron I'm so very happy that you enjoy it so much! :D I'm planning on making many more in the future.

[@vic4709]

Man you are awesome!!! Please continue uploading things like this!!!! please ! :)

[@ToastedCigar]

Probably the most informative and fun video about composition in KZbin. I got some great new ideas how to start a song, never occurred in my mind to start with a rhythm pattern! Thank you so very much :)

[@TRISCORE]

Wahoo! i found someone who give lesson/tips into music writing

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

It sounds like this technique was used by Brian Tyler when he was writing the main theme for Thor: The Dark World. But I don't really know.

[@BrooksLeibee]

Funny you mentioned Star Wars at the beginning of this video. The rhythm you came up with after then is similar to one of the earlier tracks of Williams' "The Force Awakens" score. Cool irony. I think it's at around 1:44 in the Main Title track.

[@JJBerthume]

blotsafun Yeah, you're right! This was written well before that film came out.

[@yannickdepauw7930]

Congrats on these videos sir! Great job! Very informative! Suggestion: I'd love to see a video series like this for non-thematic music or less thema-heavy music, more like underscore action music. For example Harry Potter - Fireplaces Escape. I wonder how a composer approaches this kind of writing. It is very adventurous and it makes unexpected turns and twist, but it also feels unstructured and random, like a bunch ideas stacked on top of each other. I think it's awesome and I wonder if you have any ideas on this. Thanks for your videos! Cheers!

[@oskararnarson]

That was amazingly helpful. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@gdugan2]

It's so interesting to watch you work. Thank you for sharing this. I am amazed how fast you can get around Sibelius. Some questions: 1) Which sample library are you using? VSL? East West? Albion? 2) Have you ever tried to do this using a DAW? You can obviously play the piano very well. It seems like it may be faster to play your creation into a sequencer like Pro Tools or Logic, and then break out all the parts.

[@wizendweaver]

You can use Albion libraries in Sibelius? Wow. I didn't know that.

[@JJBerthume]

Sorry for the late response! I do play my parts into the DAW when I go to sample and mix/master. For composing, I vastly prefer Sibelius as it's much easier to see the intervals when part-writing, in addition to planning out articulations and dynamics ahead of time.

[@indikasampath4832]

Love that..

[@hassansoliman970]

You're amazing!! Thank you!!

[@Sorc47]

This is absolutely amazing :) Thank you!

[@oliviaegbunike5704]

This is so helpful!! im writing a piano quintet and getting the rhythm before melody seems such a go to next time im composing! I like you !!! thank you! !

[@jettjaguar8150]

thank you so much for sharing your talent and the outstanding content

[@HarryAndre]

Plain and right to the point. Great great stuff Jay! Thank you.

[@Ritermann]

This is mind blowing!!! Thanks for taking the time! ;)

[@crasowl]

"Kill me"

[@shawndigeronimo3696]

crasowl with pleasure

[@Metamario68]

I like how everyone has a phrase like that. Mine is "Christ".

[@reenko]

Bravissimo

[@elistewart8665]

This has got to be my favorite piece by you other than your symphony!

[@JessePennerMusic]

Love the content in this video! I've been looking for something like this for ages. It feels nice to see someone else's general composing routing to help expand my own! Thank you very much! (and not to mention it is nice to hear i'm not the only one who hums out loud the parts I'm composing during the process, haha!)

[@JJBerthume]

Jesse Penner Music So glad you enjoyed it! And yes haha, I was hoping my humming wouldn't annoy anyone. In my opinion, a good tune must always fit well under the voice to sing; so I always test out my melodies that way. I also find that it helps my ear to feel what the right pathway to go is. :)

[@JessePennerMusic]

You are completely right! JJay Berthume​

[@FranciscoSilva-ji5ll]

Genius... I can't even create an original melody! Could you finish that series on melody writing? That would be awesome! Started Watching your videos yesterday, and i'm already a "fan". +Jjay Berthume

[@JJBerthume]

Finished! :)

[@diegone65]

Dude, you are now making the difference... a huge difference between all the "compositional" channels out there. You're certainly a pioneer in this kind of full goodnes loaded videos. Have you ever heard the term "composing in a rush"? Well you nailed that. This stuff is impressive! Awsome content and a FAST, GOOD and punctual explanations. Thank you so much again and again.

[@JJBerthume]

diegone65 Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad you are getting something out of these - I definitely plan to make many more in the future! Feel free to suggest what types of videos you'd like to see from me. Some ideas I've had are: 1. Analyzing a piece of music I've already written. 2. Score-reading and analyzing a famous film score piece of music. 3. Discussing harmonic progressions and modulation, different scales and modes, as well as harmonic relativity. 4. Discussing counterpoint. 5. Take viewer-submitted melodies and ideas and orchestrate them. 6. Discuss jazz improvisation and writing. 7. Discuss more about writing chiptunes.

[@JustinLeScores]

JJay Berthume Do them all I would love to see all of these topics!

[@diegone65]

JJay Berthume Sorry for the really delayed replay! All those topics are fantastic and highly welcome. Although, I would like to see something focused on orchestral "devices" - mood/genere related "clichés". Maybe composing 3-4 short pieces per "style" could be a nice and unique approach (not easily found anywhere else on the internet).Of course I'm not interested at all in plagiarizing someone else's style, but is VERY difficult to find high quality explanations-commentaries- dissections on this field, like those that you do my friend. I have certain kind of presentiment that you "absorb" musical guts at a very high rate. If I have any other idea, may I contact you through private message please? Thank you, please don't take it as a cordial gesture. I really mean, thank you!.

[@JJBerthume]

You know, that's actually a really great idea! Yeah, I definitely spend a lot of time boiling down styles and genres to practical advices for myself, since I have to compose such a large variety of music and so quickly. But mostly I've just been at it since I was five. Oh, and feel free to friend-request me on Facebook (and that goes for anyone watching these videos) - I love hearing new music that people write and giving feedback! :) Just message me privately letting me know that you came there from the videos.

[@MobileMusic]

Nice job! Kudos to you :)

[@Unpitched]

Hey JJay! Thanks again for your great videos! I would be really interested in what other ways you use to develop your melodic material! Can you make a video about that? Cheers :)

[@JJBerthume]

Unpitched Added it to the list of videos to make! :) Studying fugue is actually a great way to learn melodic development - the form is really a concentration of non-stop thematic development, so manuals on the topic often have excellent chapters on various techniques for thematic development, like augmentation/diminution, inversion/retrograde, stretto, sequences, cellular development, etc. Alfred Mann's the "Study of Fugue" has some great sections on this.

[@Dizinii]

Great tutorial. So much to pick up and it kinda helped me out of my rut. Thanks for showing the way!

[@JJBerthume]

My pleasure!

[@translateentertainment2191]

JJay, You are extremely talented my friend.

[@zcvs-x9k]

Wello done! Love this series! ;)

[@GeorgePMusic]

This is a beautiful piece of music JJay.. i love your approach - very inspiring

[@cgmuzic4119]

I thought I was the only one who sings like this when composing:)

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

How did you do that thing with the number 3? I don't know how to explain, but it's the 3 that is under the notes at times.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Never mind. I found out.

[@vascopombo-music7412]

Great video and great ideas! Loved your singing too ahah

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

I realize this just is a proof of concept. Especially with that in mind, the accompaniment seems needlessly complicated to me. Simple and predictable is easier to write and easier to understand.

[@JJBerthume]

notoriouswhitemoth That’s a matter of taste - there are composers who write very effective simple accompaniments, such as Koji Kondo, and composers who write very busy, complex accompaniments, such as John Williams. I try to employ various points on that spectrum depending upon the style and aesthetic of the piece I’m writing. What’s most important IMO is for the accompaniment to be balanced and complimentary to the melody dynamically, rhythmically, timbrally, and harmonically supportive.

[@tracybehrman2579]

Thanks very much for your educational videos! Do you have a video regarding introductions before the first theme begins?

[@vic4709]

I want lo learn to write for orquestra and I have some others on counterpoint! things like that I have some books! but I have seen your videos and it's like to be in the mind of the composer! that is so helpful! Because it's a little scary this world (Orquestra) for me!

[@douras96]

Awesome ! Thanks a lot for sharing your workflow ! :)

[@JJBerthume]

I'm currently raising a small amount of money to exponentially increase the production value on my upcoming tutorials - please consider donating - thanks! www.gofundme.com/2jfauddg

[@EliasNilssonComposer]

I really love this tutorial and I will listen to the coming parts! Just found you, instant subscribe :) I should try and use sibelius too when doing the orchestration and early stage melody writing instead of doing it directly into my DAW. Seems nice to just think of melody/orchestration etc instead of production during the first phases. Takes a bit longer time but should be worth it when writing pieces like this I think! Thank you once again

[@JJBerthume]

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks for the subscription!

[@jeffdurkin4893]

These are awesome

[@Invert_Scrub]

This is very inspiring and also pretty humbling. What kind of formal training have you had in your musical journey? Any resources you would recommend to those wanting to learn?

[@JJBerthume]

At the time of making this video, I had no formal training! Get all the full orchestral scores and music manuals you can! Study them ceaselessly! Write music every day! Play music every day! Enjoy every second of it! If you put in the hours composing and studying, no other thing will happen than to get better. No college education needed. College does make collaborating with real musicians easier, but that is absolutely possible outside of it, and I will say that 95% of what I've learned from music composition, (and I'm saying this now in my junior year at Furman University) I was able to learn outside of college simply with a library card, the internet, and an insatiable curiosity. The key is to LOVE learning about it, like it's a delicious meal you just can't get enough of. Don't consider it an arduous journey that leads to a one-point-in-time goal of "success." The doing is the thing, like Confucius said, "Get a job doing something you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." A person barely able to support themselves financially but doing what they love everyday is infinitely happier than the rich person who has everything but finds no fulfillment in life. If you want a list of books/resources I'd recommend feel free to email me. Here are some composer quotes: BEETHOVEN: The barriers are not erected which can say to aspiring talents and industry, “Thus far and no farther.” MOZART: People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times. GERSHWIN: “All great composers of the past spent most of their time studying. Feeling alone won't do the job. A man also needs technique.” JOHN WILLIAMS: "I do struggle greatly with the simplest things. If you want to get a tune that is shaped in six measures, or seven notes, something that may seem simple and diatonic can be very, very difficult. Deliberate obfuscation and complexity is not hard to layer onto a musical structure, but to peel things away and say exactly what you mean in the fewest words you can put together, without being over-simplistic, banal, and whatever other dangers that simplicity introduce - that's the hardest part of the job. It seems the easiest, but I may go through dozens of permutations and hours of labor before I reach a simple tune like Indiana Jones or the like." “Any working composer or painter or sculptor will tell you that inspiration comes at the eighth hour of labour rather than as a bolt out of the blue. We have to get our vanities and our preconceptions out of the way and do the work in the time allotted.” STRAVINSKY: “Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration.” “I know that the twelve notes in each octave and the variety of rhythm offer me opportunities that all of human genius will never exhaust.” “The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music they should be taught to love it instead.” “I haven't understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.” STEPHEN SONDHEIM: “Everybody faces a blank piece of paper, no matter what they've written or painted or composed before. I can't imagine approaching every single new project with-without doubt.” BACH: “I worked hard. Anyone who works as hard as I did can achieve the same results.” GUSTAV MAHLER: “I am hitting my head against walls, but the walls are giving way.” BRAHMS: “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” RAVEL: “We should always remember that sensitiveness and emotion constitute the real content of a work of art.” LEONARD BERNSTEIN: “The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies just to make sure that one note follows another... and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world.”

[@Invert_Scrub]

JJay Berthume Awesome quotes, email sent!

[@jakubrogacz6829]

You go into "Across the Stars" by John Wiliams at times about 7th minute :)

[@JJBerthume]

Jakub Rogacz Similar vibe certainly! But different tune.

[@jakubrogacz6829]

@@JJBerthume Well I know :) I Just pointed it out since when I compose (if you can call it that) I never did sth simmilar to Williams. At least not without doing so on purpose. By the way do you have any tips for starting composing ? What should I learn to be able to sit with piano and craft sounds together into tunes ? I don't want to do that proffesionally but I tried a lot of times to do so for my games to fill the void so to speak when it comes to sounds and I either write a melody and can't match chords or I do some chords (this happens on guitar mostly) and they sound as if there were two separate pieces instread of verse and chorus. I wouldn't mind your videos since they actually did educate me at least a bit on how to do stuff. Still it would be nice to get name of stuff I should look up.

[@GharunLacyMusic]

JJay, Any tips on how to get "NICE" on Sibelius. You really have the software working for you.

[@JJBerthume]

Black Light Recordings I'm doing a video with tips and tricks for a faster Sibelius workflow in the near future - so stay tuned for that! Probably Friday or Sunday.

[@ZHeisenberg]

so talented...

[@lindacowles756]

(Playing F-E-G on fortepiano) Grazie, Signore. ("Amadeus")

[@zeta1ret]

uh...kill me! (ps...great job!)

[@JacobMatthewss]

Do you copyright your work?

[@david_schuster89]

Great video! :D

[@Dandiel_]

Yo saw your link on the orchestra page thanks a lot. like I haven't found any good start to ending composition video out here. I am starting to get prepare for audition to enter my media composition program at my school really nervous.

[@JJBerthume]

Daniel Teodoro Don't be nervous! Just do your best, be yourself, be confident, and have a professional composer or arranger check your work before you submit it to make sure it's playable, developed well, and balanced orchestrally. I'd be happy to take a look at it if it isn't too late.

[@Dandiel_]

JJay Berthume Just finished one of them it's not till late October so still have time I would for you to check it out give few tips and point out my mistakes!

[@contrapunctusmammalia3993]

I kind of skipped to the end but how did you end up in D minor?

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

This is why we don't skip to the end.

[@nikitofin]

please more!!!! 5 stars video

[@ThatRandomBeast]

Well I've stumbled into something way beyond me lol. I don't belong anywhere near this!!

[@JJBerthume]

ThatRandomBeast You might surprise yourself!

[@donnamenzani2727]

I have a question... how do you write dodecaphonic / enharmonic music?

[@Notecade]

I wonder if the legato line would’ve worked with solo oboe?

[@JJBerthume]

Certainly!

[@Notecade]

Yo you responded! I’m an amateur/intermediate musician and a huge fan of your videos.

[@JJBerthume]

Notecade Cheers, so glad you’ve gotten something out of them! Many more coming this summer.

[@joaogabrielnevesdemacedo9115]

How do you enter block chords from 10:16?

[@JJBerthume]

I'm selecting the note value from the keypad, and playing them in with my MIDI keyboard.

[@Shadow07Warrior1989]

There are two basic ways to make chords without using a MIDI keyboard in Sibelius that I know of which require no changing or adjustment of stock hot-key layouts. The first is simply to select the note you want to build a chord on and press the numeric keys as they're automatically hot-keyed to add the interval you just clicked, such as a 3rd when you press the "3" key or a 5th when you press the "5" key. You can then highlight those notes and maneuver them with the up and down keys to suit your needs. The second method is to be sure that you leave the "n" key active when entering notes on the page and leave it active. If you enter a note using the "n" key, the note you just added should remain highlighted the entire time unless you press the "n" key again, and you can then continue to add notes directly above or below it so long as the note remains highlighted. Once you deselect a note, any new notes you try to add will instead replace it.

[@wizendweaver]

J Jay- How would you mix and master a Sibelius score (once finished), to prepare for somewhere like Spotify? Do you use outside sources or do your own mastering? If so, do you have any tutorials?

[@kiddragonsoft9641]

How did you write those chords all at once like that?

[@JJBerthume]

Midi keyboard! :)

[@kiddragonsoft9641]

Ahh

[@buho_producciones]

Hello JJay! Its a great work! Congratulations! I'll look at all these videos of composing, i'm very intereseted 'cause I'm creating a several themes as soundtrack. Could I send you some those, then you listening it and give your opinion and suggestions? I'm your new suscriber, now!

[@JJBerthume]

Canal DAN SOLO Thanks so much for the sub! If you become a $3 patron you have access to an email that you can send me questions to that I’ll answer, and at the $10 level I’ll give you feedback on your music!

[@buho_producciones]

@@JJBerthumeOk, thanks for answer. Just one question: what software you using in these videos and what you recommending, now?

[@JJBerthume]

Canal DAN SOLO Sibelius with the plugin NotePerformer. Still use it. I also use Logic Pro X for sampling.

[@buho_producciones]

​@@JJBerthume Ok. I use MuseScore,. Thats right for the composing process, but your sounds is not the better. Thnak you for atending me. Ill considerate your offer. Gretings

[@chrisbassartist4344]

You don’t make content like this anymore it’s missed!!

[@aloc23]

nice videos that actually help me! thanks a lot :) one question though.. how do you usually approach key changes / modulations in your writing? i find myself often stuck in one key, not being able to find my way out of and just looping around in similar progressions with changing melodic materials only

[@sniperheadshot3146]

Thanks for the demo Sir!, by the way, what software did you use in making this arrangement? thank you and have a nice day...

[@JJBerthume]

Michael Arroyo So glad you enjoyed it! I'm using Sibelius 7, with the 3rd-party plugin-soundset NotePerformer by Wallander Instruments.

[@davidlea430]

Can someone explain the circle progression to me. I thought I knew what it was but I have no idea what happened when he used it

[@JJBerthume]

David Lea You talking about a descending fifths sequence? It's just diatonically creating triads from a bass descending in fifths, so Am Dm G C F etc. Very common for creating sequences since the consistent root motion allows you to take a figure and repeat it on different scale degrees.

[@davidlea430]

Oh ok thank you so much!!

[@nickallbritton3796]

Any tips on being able to sing what you are thinking of and writing it down like that? The music I write and what it sounds like seem so separate to me

[@koreboredom4302]

What program is that?

[@JJBerthume]

Sibelius.

[@sandstorm8010]

I’m late but 5:46, this man has no shame lol

[@agitoksangma4060]

Sir may I also know the Software of writing note

[@tarukasensei]

hi there.. how did u build that intro chord?? is it just randomly putting any chord based on your singing? then harmonise that for bigger sound?? still confused about this.

[@Elintasokas]

+raf Ash Music theory. His melody is in a specific key and he is using chords from that key.

[@JJBerthume]

Study four-part harmony - I was just harmonizing the tune very quickly.

[@jackmckenzie6003]

very impressive! thanks for taking the time to make these videos! which software are you using/what is the best software for music composition (including instrument sound quality)?

[@omeremir584]

Action music absolutely, but John Williams style orchestrated plzz. If it's possible :O

[@JJBerthume]

+Omer “Musician” Emir Have you ever seen my "Flight of Conquest Behind-the-Scenes" video? It's the epitome of JW style action music. :)

[@omeremir584]

+JJay Berthume wov... it sounds very cool.. Thanks :)

[@amimerit]

Heey! I have a question, why you changed the kyes? I mean, is C menor, raight? Why did you use G menor?

[@JJBerthume]

+Merari Quezada I decided to go with G minor because it would make the melody fit much better within the range of the French Horns, who carry the tune.

[@poplarboydavid]

Are you playing the melody on a keyboard, as you go and is this Sibelius software, Jay? 😊

[@JJBerthume]

Yes! :)

[@Nidomy]

Wow, how do you deal to write so fast what you're thinking and the big chords?

[@JJBerthume]

+Nidomy Thousands of hours of experience!

[@Nidomy]

Crazy enough to be tempting to try. :D

[@bsko3D]

Oh yeah, singing while composing is the most beautiful and disgusting thing, it helps to create a beautiful music, but mostly sounds disgusting hahaha. Very nice videos, hope you're doing fine. PS doing same thing myself 100% of time :)

[@yurifromddlc]

JJ Berthume, but every time he says "Kill me", it gets faster. I will sub to anyone who does that.

[@michellejohnson4088]

Hi! i like this video and I thank you for uploading this. I'll mostly being writing/sketching my melody the old-fashioned way (pencil + paper). The problem I'm having is trying figure out the time signature for my song. Technically I don't know the exact rhythm. I just know I hear the melodic line for the solo voice. I want to just go ahead and get the melody on paper so I don't lose the inspiration for it. Suggestions?

[@JJBerthume]

Michelle Johnson Practice rhythmic dictation, feeling the pulse and whether it’s divisions are duple or triple, etc. There are lots of practice exercises online.

[@yunkoo4558]

Hi guys,I have a question,when I wrote the melody that need to consider the harmony? Expect your answer！！！Thanks！！！！

[@JJBerthume]

Please re-phrase your question; I'm not sure I understand it as written. Thanks!

[@Shadow07Warrior1989]

Always consider your harmony. You shouldn't write a melody in C# major and use chords from C major.

[@yunkoo4558]

I got it,THX ！

[@johnhazlett3347]

What software are you using?

[@Dizinii]

How do you know what keys/scales go with the one you're using? (I'm soo beginner, so please bear with me. I've only learned about jumping to relative minors.)

[@JJBerthume]

Basically just get a book of scales, explore all of the most salient ones, and toy around with them. Try and compose melodies, or create chord progressions with them. What do they sound like? What are they capable of portraying emotionally? It takes a while to get them all "in your bag," so to speak, but once you do, you'll know exactly what scale to pull out at what time for the type of emotional aura you're trying to portray. Some of my favorite scales: Lydian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Phrygian, Octatonic, Gamelan, Japanese, Indian Raga Scales, LydianFlat7, Whole Tone, Bebop, just to name a few. I will say though that the VAST majority of my medieval video game music like Defending Our Homeland, uses the modes.

[@Dizinii]

That is SO cool. All this time I thought the modes were the old way scales were organised, but didn't know they're so much more than that. Thanks JJay! Cheers

[@PLanBBeaTZ]

Hey JJay!! i ve found your channel by accident, and i am more than fascinated!!!! Man, i have so much respect from what i saw from you...it s really amazing to see such an high skilled composer behind his shoulder , even when i can t follow your workflow sometimes... ; ).... i didn t study music, and i am an absolute beginner, but i know a lot about scales/modes, chords, chord progressions..acctually i ve started playing keyboard because i love to mess with chord progressions...but i want to get more skilled in melodies and motivic developemen,variation and contrastst!!! my problem is, i can write a 8 Bar Phrase,and make it sound nice, but i don t know how to vary or develop it more....it s like, screaming for a change, but when i do some changes it sounds like an complete new song and so on... i ve orchestrated 8 bars, inspired by your first (lets write 8 bars in 4/4) video...do you want to listen?!! just joking....could you do maybe one time something really easy on motives or temes???!!!??? it is so hard to find someone who can explain such things for an beginner... thanks adrian

[@JJBerthume]

Hey Adrian, let's continue this conversation over email: [e-mail]

[@EduNauta95]

Impressive, I like it a lot! I saw that you were so fast with the keyboard, I was myself asking which keys you were pressing. Also, do you have a numerical keyboard at the right, and if you do and I do not, could I be able to do the same things?

[@JJBerthume]

Aeduh Glad you enjoyed it! Second video is uploading as we speak. Yes, I use a numerical keypad. If you don't have a numerical keypad, then you'll have to click the buttons on the Sibelius 7 instead of using shortcuts, which will be much slower, but doable. I was considering doing a tutorial on Sibelius keyboard shortcuts/hacks. Would you be interested?

[@rajaorrsfcm6591]

JJay Berthume ^Yes!

[@EduNauta95]

JJay Berthume Yeah! In reality I had Sibelius 6 First, it was given to me, but a month ago the key expired or something and suddenly the save button is greyed! I've tried searching keys for Sibelius 7.5 for Mac but it's very difficult.

[@angeloembradura]

what program is this? I want to write a musical and I need to start somewhere so reply back asap please and thank you

[@JJBerthume]

Angelo Embradura Sibelius.

[@Invert_Scrub]

Angelo Embradura Hi, if you're new to composition through software, check out a program called Musescore 2! I've been learning on it for a few years now, and it's completely free. A great resource if you don't have the money to drop on Finale or Sibelius.

[@wizendweaver]

Thank you for this JJ. How did you start without a time signature in Sibelius? Also.. are you using a keyboard or the number pad to enter the notes?

[@JJBerthume]

wizendweaver If you skip the template chooser it doesn't give you a time signature visually, but it just functions as 4/4. And yes, I'm using the numerical keypad on the full sized wired apple keypad. I highly recommend that workflow - very efficient. You can get just a Bluetooth numerical keypad if you like your current keyboard or have a laptop.

[@wizendweaver]

Thanks JJ. Very informative.

[@matomemohale4192]

if i may ask... which software did you use sir?

[@felixdeckers8863]

matome mohale sibelius

[@jamesblake1662]

Sub well earnt

[@adamcoleklepper2207]

Hi! First of all, just wanted to say thank you for such amazing videos. You're genius is unending. I've learned so much from this series. As someone who aspires to be like you, would you mind telling me about your setup technology wise? I know you use Sibelius. How do you connect your keyboard which I think is an Alessis 25 to your pc? I've tried doing this with a keyboard but I get a lot of note latency when I play my keyboard in software. Any tips? Really appreciate it! Adam

[@JJBerthume]

Adam Lacy Hey Adam! Typing on phone so forgive errors - so glad you've gotten something out of them! Yeah there's latency with Sibelius, but I don't mind because I'm not inputting notes in live. By the time I go to notate something it's already essentially composed in my head - this video isn't exactly representative of my workflow. If you want no latency, open up a DAW alongside Sibelius with a piano for noodling, I often do that.

[@adamcoleklepper2207]

Okay cool!!! What exactly is a DAW? Does it make live note entry quicker?

[@user_RamiRak12]

What’s this site called

[@omniscientomnipresent5500]

Why do I feel like I listened a piece who was the same but with like two different notes ?

[@knigh7yme282]

It is a triplet (:

[@zoebrzakalik7174]

Omg walking meme

[@carsonsaponaro1475]

Hey, I have a question about skype lessons, I emailed you already

[@conforzo]

Since you say you'll sample it later, I guess NotePerformer isn't the final version that we hear on your SoundCloud? So it isn't that great after all?

[@JJBerthume]

Actually I did sample it - forgot to upload it XD XD XD

[@JJBerthume]

Rustman But the version on my SoundCloud currently IS NotePerformer.

[@blakekniola5335]

You're coming up with those melodies quite fast! Do you have perfect pitch?

[@JJBerthume]

Blake Kniola Nah I just have very good relative pitch.

[@blakekniola5335]

That's really good relative pitch! I throughly enjoyed this tutorial video, subscribed to your channel :)

[@thebraydenchannel78]

Is this on Sibelius or something else ?

[@JJBerthume]

Sibelius 7 w/NotePerformer.