Music Theory for Techno

[@OscarUnderdog]

Find Oscar's video courses here: courses.underdog.brussels 🖤🖤🖤 Join the Underdog Discord channel: discord.gg/z5N9CTA 👾👾👾 Sign up to the mailing list here: tinyurl.com/yy92sx5u 💌💌💌 Pledge to the Patreon: ​ www.patreon.com/underdogmusicschool 🌱🌱🌱

[@danielnitsch3554]

Are you from belgium?

[@OscarUnderdog]

@@danielnitsch3554 yep! Irish/Belgian actually 😊👍

[@danielnitsch3554]

@@OscarUnderdog my Brother is Born in Belgium. He is also dj-ing

[@DaftFader]

@DJ WRAITH I've used fl studio a bit before, and although only used logic once or twice it's not to dissimilar to the way cubase is layed out, and I'm at home with that. What u need help on?

[@dandeeteeyem2170]

Hands down the most useful info for producers I have ever seen.. If you did a tutorial on the differences between mastering for vinyl vs playing live gigs, you would improve the game of 80% of up & coming producers.. Nice work man 🙂

[@bryanscott8823]

I’ve never seen anyone discuss techno music theory before. Thanks!

[@alessandrobraz9961]

Yes so true valuable information thank you so much

[@Eceptes]

Well try google cosmisis, he walk you true the phygian scale, and if you make goa/trance see the dominant phygian scalne/flamingo 🙂 hope you can use this it helped me alot

[@jamg6311]

Nor this well... :-)

[@danvandal4127]

@@Eceptes I searched this a bit but had not much luck, could you please share the link(s). I got really curious about this!

[@Eceptes]

@@danvandal4127 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnjQfKONbdpghqM Imnew into making music, so im still learning how to move between the party mode and exotic mode :D

[@AlteredStatesNoiseMaker]

Nobody has ever done this before yet many tried. The best music theory video I've ever seen. I wish I saw it years ago...

[@OscarUnderdog]

I wish I saw it 10 years ago myself :D

[@des7638]

Same

[@nuberiffic]

There is literally zero music theory in this video though

[@bassstorm89]

In all seriousness, this has absolutely nothing to do with music theory. Music theory is not too complex. Read a decent book about it. Learn how to use modes and scales - especially in conjunction and how you can shift one scale into various modes. Do not believe anything from this video, basically

[@-303-]

Just wanted to throw this out there: music theory is frequently thought of as a set of rules. The better way to think about it is that music theory instead explains why things sound the way they do. If two bits of music have the same explanation, they will have the same kind of sound. If you like the sound of one, you will like the sound of the other, and music theory will be an explanation as to why. It is entirely possible that there is another theory of techno. It's totally fine that it incorporates some of the explanations of what you like in classic western music. And it is ALSO totally fine that it says that some kinds of dissonance sound good in techno.

[@OscarUnderdog]

100% agree 😌✌

[@skurdibbles7913]

I think of it as a language.

[@peterhaerens3014]

I agree. 'Explanation' of music's physics, and 'description' of how musicians used the musical elements in their work.

[@marcellkovacs5452]

I always say it's a description, not a prescription

[@joelhunter7964]

not really accurate at all, it IS a set of rules/practices/guidelines, western harmony and counterpoint have very specific rules, Debussy and composers like him wouldn't have been to revolutionise how we use harmony without first studying/mastering the accepted teachings of music theory from that time. But it also isn't something you have to follow religiously or even have a substantial knowledge of in order to write interesting music, Beatles case in point

[@lazyatom]

Been a user of Ableton since 2006. Never knew about the setting Scale feature you show at 1:22. I cannot believe that's there. The struggle I have had to discern what's in scale or not just winging it. I have learned so much from you after watching just 4 videos. You are gifted at nailing the important info without any waffle. Love it.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Cheers Diarmaid :D That feature's only been there since Live 11.

[@lazyatom]

@@OscarUnderdog Ahhh... that's a relief. I'm only slightly less stupid now. :)

[@kavika121]

Yep, he is awesome!!!

[@MatusPecho]

or u can use midi scale effect in Ableton. its very useful i think.

[@lazyatom]

@@MatusPecho Thanks Metus. Any links to a tutorial on how to use it? :)

[@AmbientMusicStudio]

One observation re Phrygian and other modes. You have to pay special attention to using the unique characteristics of the mode to reinforce your root note. For example, the move from the flattened 2nd to the root. If you don't do that, because our ears are so used to the major and relative minor scales our ears will interpret the mode (Phrygian in this case) as a melody within the major or minor scale. For example, E Phrygian is the same set of notes as C Major and A Minor. If you're not emphasizing the relationship between E and F in your melody and hitting the E often in your bass, then as soon as you play an C or A your brain will tell you it's the major or minor scale. Kind of a complicated way to explain something that is actually pretty simple when you hear it. If you're trying to work in E Phrygian and your melody is sounding happy and bouncy to you (instead of dark and exotic) they you are probably not emphasizing the E - F relationship enough. This used to throw me off all the time. Sorry I can't think of an easier way to explain it :D

[@lumtrebor]

I think you did a good job explaining it, thanks

[@umutcoskun4247]

I understood it perfectly. It helped me to look at the E Phrygian scale to understand what you mean :)

[@joaovictormaruca7605]

That's a really interesting and useful point o view, thanks for sharing!

[@holidaytrout5174]

Never thought of this. Interesting. Good to watch out for

[@ketz_165]

So much this

[@chefranylaitenu7731]

I am just starting making techno and this is so helpful you are a hero ❤🎉

[@GgWhyfye]

First 25 seconds was all I needed to hear . That's definitely the science of a perfect loop

[@urphakeandgey6308]

I'd like to add that in more typical _"EDM"_ genres and not this deeper underground techno, "classic music theory" will go even further in assisting you. Vast majority of EDM tracks use fairly simple and common chord progressions that can be broken down into a handful of Roman numerals, like vi - IV - I - V, which is basically every Alan Walker Track. Just knowing the basics in music theory will really help any producer. It'll speed up your creative process by a lot and you'll see how so much music is similar even across genres.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Exactly this!

[@mikepro500]

vi - IV - I - V i - bVI - bIII - bVII

[@raddadization]

This is why EDM is shit.

[@francisco_lazarte]

Finally somebody who knows and helps. I'm tired of listening that techno is just noise and doesn't uses theory

[@OscarUnderdog]

Means a lot, this comment :) thank you!

[@francisco_lazarte]

@@OscarUnderdog Thanks to you! And the underdog team. Just discovered the channel and it is a great complement to a course I have just started on techno production.

[@kattmazi1934]

Imagine back in the day when the first stringed instrument made; "that no music, this music *hits a big rock into a small rock". As we evolve, so do our instruments. Just so happens computers are turning into instruments and I think that's cool. Someone still needs to press something

[@fixedgear37]

@@kattmazi1934this is an argument for 35-40 years ago.

[@Ebidle]

as someone who considers himself a “live instrument” purest and only wants to learn electronic music because i’m a pop music producer, i’ve never even taken the “it’s just noise” argument seriously. of course it uses theory. if it’s music there’s a way of decoding it and using words to describe it. that’s basically all theory is

[@DopaLink]

First time I hear 'techno' and 'music theory' in the same sentence. Well done!

[@Cheesecake1559]

I like how straightforward are these tutorials, what a great material mate, keep up the good work.

[@VSNboard]

Always helps the creativity to hear other artists talk about the Kraft! Thank you!

[@citizenworld8094]

As someone who worked in classical music all my life I can't understand why anyone would vote this down. This is an excellent video and a rich source for anyone experimenting with techno. Bear in mind, the best beat makers are the smart beat makers. Same for classical music.

[@zeeninetynine]

I will explain it to you. Because it's very reductive and prescriptive and nothing to do with art and self-expression. It's even not really talking about the most important thing in techno which is the groove.

[@TheEviltaco666]

@@zeeninetynine oh 100% the groove and feel of your track is the most important thing, if your track has no rhythm then it has failed on a fundamental level However this video wasn’t meant to teach beat making, but to help beginners get a general idea on building melody’s and sound design

[@zeeninetynine]

@@TheEviltaco666 Well, it's titled "Music Theory for Techno", so it should have included the basic philosophy when it's not even mentioned

[@CoreyLaGray]

I really hope this channel goes viral mode. I learn something new every time and I'm always inspired to sit down and tinker. Thanks for doing what you do, man.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Here's hoping! 🙏🧡

[@st33Npuist]

Same here.

[@cali4tune]

I saw this and thought, "oh yeah right in only 12 min this is gonna be useless" but I was wrong. He did a very good job covering basic concepts relevant to techno for those who might not have or be opposed to traditional music theory. It's very easy to make theory complicated so good work on keeping it simple.

[@fritzmuller9418]

i needed this so much, thank you so so much man! love from germany 🖤

[@PLUPLUMAN]

no single tutorial ever competed. So well done, thanks a lot!!

[@DenisAshton]

Around 5:00 minutes, your speaking matches the music perfectly. U should sample that into a song.

[@JoshWuzHeer]

I'm a bass music producer from America but still feel like I learned a lot from this and your channel in general , much love !

[@Lizard-of-Oz]

I listen to Thrash Metal and any metal genre. In the mid '90s I had few friends who were into Raves and this is their music. Music is a mystery but it works for the soul. I find my music more complexed but I like how this Techno music gets elaborated, very basic on the rhythm section but it gets veeery interesting when you start to add some colors, and that's when it turns to art. Loved how you layed it. Never judge anything without knowledge. Respect!!

[@wwlittlejOfficial]

Wow, u just spilled ALL the beans. Way back when I started out trying to do techno, but had basic music theory. My techno was major scale. It did not sound good. Ughhh it was nauseating. Underdog just gave it all away, esp the Phrygian scale and the embracing dissonance. Perfect.

[@MistaZULE]

Man me too. I just took a song in the Major scale that I wasn't happy with and just converted it to Phrygian and it sounds 100 times better. I am so happy I found this channel.

[@pedromaranhao359]

If you begin with E, Phrygian mode it's all the white piano notes.

[@zodiac909]

The fact that this man gave out so much information for free cannot be understated. There are schools that would charge you your arm and leg just for this information. Much love.

[@vz-v]

I found it funny when you described why I like the 303 sounds "Anything in a 303 loop sequence it doesn't really matter what note it plays and the audience really loves it" or something like that and I couldn't stop laughing because its true. 😂

[@OscarUnderdog]

😁 we are simple animals, at the end of the day.

[@Ratselmeister]

Only way to program the 303. Hit random pattern till it grooves. :D

[@Beefessence]

I have watched alot of different people make music tutorials (techno in particular) and I must say I seriously can't nor do I want to watch other tutorials anymore. You simply are the best!

[@OscarUnderdog]

🥰

[@GingerDrums]

as a techno producer I really appreciate this video. The genre lives from transgressing rules, and most pieces come from textural and rhythmic musical ideas, and the harmony is often an afterthought. having a looping groove playing whilst tweaking it until the piece aquires a hypnotic and danceable atmosphere is essential, everything else are just spices to add to that process. Hope this helps somebody understand the culture, as it does come from a different place than most other genres. Hip Hop often operates from a similar compositional standpoint.

[@de-b1221]

The one thing I like when creating techno, is that you can use only one note, but by changing the velocity of that note in a set sequence can change the dynamics of the sound

[@SeattleDjs]

Oh yeah, I would love it if you did a longer discussion on genres related to music theory and also maybe break down a bit about rhythm as well as sampling. Not so much the tutorial aspect, but maybe a 1 on 1 with another producer just giving us all some more insight. I see too many people argue over this stuff getting absolutely nowhere and in some ways even limiting themselves and others. This was great. Thanks so much. I noticed you are on one of my Facebook groups, please keep posting your tutorials there as well.

[@vyrvygora]

This is my favorite music creation channel on YT. Period.

[@Nico-pd6kr]

10:56 the instant head nod you got at the 303 sounds hahaha; that’s the same thing that happens to me. This was amazing, thank you! Can’t wait to play on my 303 using these tips!

[@vadimvendikov4432]

From Belarussia with love! Man u have one of the most informative chanell! Just perfect! Thank's a lot!

[@samloan1829]

Remember, even classical musicians didn’t avoid dissonance. Adam Neely’s video on the myth of the tritone ban has some great musical examples of this.

[@christiantaylor1495]

It's called chromaticism.

[@hanschristianove3318]

OSCAR - your ability to cut up the complicated stuff and make it simple - its our of this world!!! Keep it up - you are the best 🤜

[@nikitazhang1876]

I really like the way this channel teaches electronic music - approachable with examples without diving too deep into music theories etc.

[@OscarUnderdog]

Yeah, keep it practical! ✨

[@Rex-dk1rx]

Music theory is simple get it learnt

[@paoloandregonzalescespedes]

I just discovered your channel and along with Captain Pikant you've instantly become my favorite after watching just a couple videos (binging a lot more for sure). Terrific content!

[@beetopp5839]

You have no idea how much I needed this. Thank you so much! Will def support you in the future

[@IIIAnchani]

it's INSANE! There is so much information in your videos, it really helps me when playing around with fl studio

[@robertjones9598]

Dude. Finally. Yes! Someone who is actually explaining this stuff. Timbre and asthetics matter massively, western harmony teaching just does not encapsulate this dimension of music sorely overlooked but ever present in modern music production.

[@LootFragg]

Adam Neely talks about that a bunch as well. The harmonic style of 18th century Western European musicians isn't exactly a complete guide on how to make music.

[@shaft9000]

It is not overlooked: While true that notation describes no timbre, it DOES assign; it is intrinsic to the instrumentation. The defining line between sound design and tonal theory can never be defined once and for all, since partials/overtones are so important to both,

[@robertjones9598]

@@shaft9000 Good point for orchestra. Not for modern instruments capable of wider sound palette. Is there a consensus system for sound design analogous to 12-tone for tonal theory? That would be cool to learn instead of winging it. I've found it very difficult (as an amateur) to decide upon orchestral instrumentation though! Even those options are daunting. Like, I might have an idea of the overall effect I want, without knowing the intricacies of what each instrument is doing, or where I've heard it elsewhere. Recent example I wanted to replicate was 1950's Holywood strings, you know those emotional romantic, sweeping moments you get...I still quite don't understand how those guys got the orchestras to sound that particular way. It seemed to be beyond notation, although maybe it was a particular application of jazz theory beyond me coupled with the analogue recording technology of the time. Anyway, I digress.

[@paulcervenka]

Ugh I love the acid sound so much. An all time favorite tune is the classic "Confusion" by New Order (used in the opening scene of Blade)

[@stephaneblondin2224]

W O W this is by far the cleverest explanation of my musical taste and now I can understand how to make it!!!

[@OscarUnderdog]

Come join the fun 😁🖤

[@Ishkur23]

I stumbled upon this video expecting it to be full of wrong or erroneous nonsense, but this advice is actually really good! Well done, I approve.

[@baptisteguilloteau3366]

I can't say that I "learned" anything new, but it's always good to understand the basics and put world into something some might do "intuitively". It's never bad to work the basics, in any thing (even Tyson practiced jab drills I assume)

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

Indeed. Even Coltrane’s flatmate said he saw him practising a note one morning, and left him there as he went to work. When he finished his shift, he came home and saw Coltrane STILL practising the same ONE note. He’d been doing it the whole day long.

[@TonAkveld1956]

Great video! Short & clear. ThnX!

[@RandomNoiseMusic]

You know its a quality content when he correctly cals it polymeter and not polyrythm 😄 great stuff, subbed!

[@rahulratwatte107]

Best techno tutorial I have seen

[@abcrx32j]

I'm a guitarist with near to 0 interaction with making electronic music, i normally play math rock and jazz which don't even require much effects, but for some reason I clicked on the video when I saw it. No regrets.

[@OscarUnderdog]

That means a lot 😁 thanks!

[@bartekgwarek1317]

what's meth rock?

[@DaftFader]

@@bartekgwarek1317 It's something you smoke I think 😅

[@thanatos5024]

@@DaftFader Damn that was a good answer hahahah

[@OmenAhead]

Well made video man! Even though I'm not a fan of techno, your points were really solid and helpful for anyone starting out. I'm more of a dubstep, trap, hybrid, electronic rock/metal kind of guy, but I can see how all these tips can be useful in all electronic music. "Stay mostly on the root" is probably the best method I ever learnt, along with modulating the texture/character! The riffs you see in metal, the dubstep drops, the bass drops in general, all rely on using one note mostly, creating dissonance for tension and other notes very sparse. Anyway, keep the good work up!

[@mrmusic9892]

Please put this rack online for us. This would be a great start for us newbies. Having such a great basic template would be helpful. Thanks for your videos.

[@duckmanVSR]

Yes please or for sale I’d buy

[@magnoyotoff]

Best electronic production channel on KZbin... Congratulations!

[@tonewizard7149]

This is really interesting. Years ago I was into making techno music, but then I moved towards some jazz and rock like stuff, since I began to prefer live performance. Now this video made me really think about why not using some more of these things in other genres too.

[@diavalitemusic]

could you please make a video about techno beats, drums, samples etc? btw polymetric music is when there are multiple meters happening at once (for example the drums are in 12/8 and meanwhile the piano is playing in 7/8). what you just did is shift the beat to an odd metrum, specifically you made it 5/8 instead of regular 4/4

[@noctunoctura2408]

This is the best information I’ve ever herd about making music...

[@simnonohalloran]

This guy and Underdog is awesome. Clear instructions to make your sound killing it.

[@kostiqueify]

Absolutely great video, useful not only to those who wants to make techno, but it's generally very educational. Subscribed!

[@DavidM-dm8on]

Thank you from Australia.

[@rodrigolaporte274]

This is AWESOME. I tend to over-do chords and stuff, and I'm usually geared towards minor scales so I end up sounding more like trance. It's so great that you explain theory applied to techno! Instant sub

[@baconben]

That’s the same trap I often fall into. Get a great techno percussion line and groove going, then decide to throw chord pads and melodies on top - instant non-techno but I fall for it all the time.

[@dennisb3173]

Same

[@peterstone2597]

Pro Bass player and DJ since 20years. Thanks for all and You got a new subscriber.

[@Caesar_Online]

idk why that title is so funny to me, but it was a very helpful and informative video. Thank you!

[@OscarUnderdog]

I know, some people have found it pretty triggering 😄 Glad you found the substance actually helpful tho!

[@danielrhoads8676]

I just discovered your channel. Was on a totally different search path but great video I'll watch all your vids now

[@thoradamtixotrop9682]

4:01 A short time ago I was thinking about the way in which the Kick in techno could be the logical continuation of the “basso continuo” from my classical harpsichord education..

[@OscarUnderdog]

Yes! 100x this!

[@MateuszPrusik]

I just discovered your channel and can't believe there is so much knowledge here for free. You are the best and thank you! You encourage me to keep making music.

[@andymxrtinez]

Great content; I just discovered this channel and I'm learning a lot. I use FL Studio, but in terms of sound desing, music and producing it's all the same, I think it's a great channel and you deserve to grow. New suscriber from Uruguay !

[@OscarUnderdog]

Whoaw, big love to Uruguay! 💛

[@andymxrtinez]

@@OscarUnderdog ♥

[@scroez]

This advice is a blessing. wicked man.... 1st-time viewer & newly subbed so looking forward to your videos...Thank you

[@Testgeraeusch]

The "think in intervals" part explains sooooooo much of the music i made and listened to... ^^

[@OmenAhead]

Still, all these intervals spell out a chord and a scale in your subconsiousness that gives them meaning. It can be a weird extended chord (with 7ths, 9ths, whatever) or a very simple one (a power chord for example), but it's probably equally helpful if you think in chord progressions too even if it's just one chord everywhere. Remember, it's good for riffs and phrases to have something underneath to give them a deeper meaning! :)

[@ToastedGhost]

Some really useful points here. My present live setup involves sampling live radio but thenserriously mangling the sound with filters, distortion and a barrel of effects. The samples are recorded into 3 channels with 2 samplers on each channel, this allows me to flip back and forth between samples. Finaly 2 drum machines bash out a beat. Thanks for your insight

[@DEADLINETV]

I'm a 100% not into techno, but I enjoyed this video a lot! Very clear and well explained! And applicable to the metal and darkwave I do make too!

[@OscarUnderdog]

Oooh, interesting 😁

[@rediscoveryrecords1348]

There is a lot of techno in darkwave. I think u do like techno. You just dont know it

[@TheBins]

Amazing video. Very helpful and insightful. Thank you 🙏

[@neonvoid]

“music theory is your friend… just randomize everything on chromatic scale…. don’t even worry about the scale just randomize the pitches” :D

[@OscarUnderdog]

😅😅😅

[@sunnymuffinsmuffysunnins4744]

Just like to chime in that major and minor does not mean happy or sad, it can be both depending on how you play it and your note order etc Very good content btw!

[@HkImp3rial]

You are amazing boy!! Your way of teaching is amazing, i was able to understand it with no knowledge of ableton and, obviously, with less, if thats possible, knowledge of music theory!! Keep on doing this, i love techno and that motivates me to make some of my own!!

[@RotoShah]

thank you ! was nice to watch this video and learn something ! :)

[@MiguelGonzalez-rh3df]

Thank you men. This is exactly what I was looking for. Good vibes 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@JanEkbom]

You are one of the best teachers online when it comes to music and production.🎉

[@architechproducer]

This was great! Thank you so much! I'm guessing that you have the knowledge to go deeper, in a follow up to this..? There aren't really enough of tutorials with this approach/perspective to techno. I've subscribed and am going to scout for more of your videos right now. Thanks for upgrading my brain..

[@Gidronique]

From Russia with love to techno) Thnx for this video!

[@nightbeats5023]

Omg I finally figured out what scale i've always used instinctively but never knew it's name (Phrygian). Thanks so much.

[@OscarUnderdog]

My pleasure

[@dzaxys4643]

Thanks bro been making techno for 20 years i think was doing most of this without ever being taught these videos are great always looking for different ways to do stuff

[@geryverlinden6843]

Good stuff Oscar ! Other sequencers to check out are the rozzer , mono sequencer and melodic step sequencer all max 4 life devices

[@GastonIbarrolaHeer]

I've been thinking about getting deeper into techno techniques and this video suggestion came from the sky. Perfect. Subscribed

[@brainbox9219]

Interesting, I’m trying to make hardcore techno/gabber kinda of drum patterns, this helped, thanks 👌🏾

[@nashmalkav1]

this is excatly what i needed! awesome channel dude!

[@umanoid1523]

Im always impressed by the depth and detail you go into for your tutorials. You explain things so clearly and break down many of the important details on things Ive never considered. This techno breakdown is great for explaining how to work in a very specific genre. Any chance you could do this type of breakdown for Dub or Dub techno?

[@siprturo]

I would love to see an in-depth tutorial series about sound design in techno and how to achieve any sound with any vst from start to finish.

[@MrCalebgrayson]

i really enjoyed this! i’ve been working on an integral theory based on the Elements 🜁 🜂 🜃 🜄 and you’re hitting them all here. 🜄 Water is the past or familiar. 🜂 Fire is the present - novelty (melody) 🜁 Air is the future or harmonies (potential relationships) 🜃 Earth is tone, the sensual experience, sound

[@OscarUnderdog]

Love the more esoteric ideas like this 😄💙

[@MrCalebgrayson]

@@OscarUnderdog i felt an esoteric kinship, lol.

[@nazreenmuhamad5565]

Holy shit. I want to know deeper on this

[@MrCalebgrayson]

@@nazreenmuhamad5565 most of my writings are on Quora.

[@OscarUnderdog]

@@MrCalebgrayson share a link then, dont tease 👹

[@1212zeek1212]

Nice job, man. This was really enjoyable. Thanks for making it simple, bare bones, straight to the point. Great stuff.

[@AntonAdelson]

"don't use major scale because it'll take you into happy territory" pfft, now I know why I like happy hardcore more! xD

[@AverageGabriel]

Major scale is what makes metal. You just need to understand modes of each scale to change the emotion. Major scale can be happy, dark, tension building, somber etc.

[@Rex-dk1rx]

Major used correctly has a dark side to it is well but also a beautiful heart felt feel if used correctly. It doesn't have to be cheesy like happy hardcore

[@Rex-dk1rx]

Plus the major scale contains the modes 3 minor 3 major and one diminished to be honest the Lydian mode which is a major mode is brilliant. It is the same notes but you start from the forth degree. So in c major which is .C.D.E.F.G.A.B.C. So to get the Lydian mode you play the scale from F to E that is the Lydian mode so if you drone a F note u will here a bit of what Lydian sounds like but there is a Lydian chord what really gives you the sound

[@WukongTheMonkeyKing]

A surprising amount of happy hardcore is in a minor key. Lots of stuff in Happy2BHardcore as well. PLUR... now there's a word I haven't heard in a while. Good word. Useful nowadays.

[@Deleted11100]

Another top vid! I know you have done a video on techno bass, but could you please consider make a video on balancing your kick and bass, I seem to have a habit of cutting the kick/bass either too much or too little and by the time I find the right balance, I’m usually sick of what I’m hearing! Much appreciated

[@OscarUnderdog]

Haha watch the video on balancing you low end from a month ago! ❤️

[@Ithenius]

This is a really high quality presentation and really smooth listening experience, thank you!

[@OscarUnderdog]

🙏😁 thanks!

[@zakzizzle]

I love your videos! a few years back I asked a bunch of dj's and edm heads about song structure as writing this type of stuff was kinda new to me. I didnt really get an answer from them and went on to just write stuff using basically pop music song structures. As it turns most genres do follow a lot of "normal" music theory. I found your videos at some point and these are awesome. thankyou

[@kavokei1337]

Thanking the benevolent gods of the algorithm for revealing to me the music theory secrets of techno. Via your channel, of course. Subbed

[@OscarUnderdog]

💚⚡😇

[@janjic]

Instant subscribe! I want to learn to compose music for games and this looks mighty useful.

[@Radical-Fantasy]

Thank you.great channel. Subscribed and liked.keep it up

[@ElectroCrunkKidz]

in LOVE w/ this channel! Thanks for the educational videos.

[@Jaspertine]

Interestingly, loop theory is a new and growing field of music study, where instead of looking at chord progressions and riffs as belonging to keys in the 18th century European sense, but rather looking at chords that move away from and then return to an anchor point. You don't need to fuss too much about what key everything is in so long as the last chord or riff in your loop smoothly transitions (or "resolves" if you will) back into the first chord or riff. That's not to say that classical music theory is useless, but a lot of modern music skirts around traditional tonality but still sounds entirely listenable because it's built on stable loops. (Adam Neely did a great video breaking down what key "Hey Joe" is in, and while the answer is pretty messy and ambiguous, that hasn't stopped many guitarists from easily soloing over the Hey Joe chord progression without sweating the details)

[@OscarUnderdog]

Great comment, totally agree :)

[@f67739]

jazz theory helps a lot with electronic production which most wouldn't expect

[@slapmyfunkybass]

This is far from a new idea, Impressionistic composers largely moved away from conventional diatonic harmony, eventually leading to modernism and atonality. But what you say is still incorrect, we don’t just jump to any chords and hope it works, resolution still needs to be felt so cadences understood, relationship from one key to another needs to make musical sense. Most of all good voice leading can’t ever be escaped, whatever the style, and that comes with understanding keys and harmony. Sounds to me you’re just making excuses for not knowing it.

[@Jaspertine]

@@slapmyfunkybass Sounds to me like you made a few of assumptions here. I'm not talking about moving away from conventional diatonic harmony, but rather reframing the way we think about it as being based on loops and the interrelationships between the chords in the loop rather than framing it in terms of keys. Most music will still fall into conventional harmony, as loops built in diatonic major or minor keys will be the most stable, but the tonal centre of the loop may contradict what we'd think of as the song's key. There's a reason I referenced Adam Neely's Hey Joe video. You could also add his video on Sweet Home Alabama, which discusses the same concept. (I am citing my sources, at the very least) I never said anything about just picking chords at random and hoping they work. Though I'm willing to bet a musician who does this will unintentionally fall into conventional harmony far more than atonality anyway, since they'd be likely to abandon chord patterns that don't build stable loops, assuming this theoretical person isn't completely tone deaf. What I am talking about is picking chords based on how they serve the loop, rather than how they fit into the key. If they do both, great, but the point is to think of the chords in terms of how they relate to each other, and the loop itself as a stable creation that moves away from the primary chord and comfortably returns there. I'm not gonna claim to be some Juilliard Graduate, but yes, I do have a rudimentary music education, and I've been playing guitar since the mid 90s. It's real interesting to me that you seem to have presumed that I'm making excuses for wilful ignorance.

[@slapmyfunkybass]

@@Jaspertine My apologies, read your comment incorrectly but thanks for explaining.

[@Raftiano]

This video opened my eyes and ears. Thanks for the knowledge my g 🙏🙏

[@junemacdonald44]

"Techno toot" is my favorite term in the entire world.

[@OscarUnderdog]

😂

[@Masssch]

Excellent breakdown. This was Beyond perfect. Thank you! (Coming from classical music theory this was a really comfortable way to understand this entire music genre.)

[@djakkdjakkd]

Please make one on Dub Techno! In the spirit of Basic Channel!

[@cggg490]

Literally one of the most useful videos ever.

[@dvuemedia]

Hi, Last night I was playing with my Behringer Neutron and I came up with nice bassline, guess what... I used the Phrygian mode by accident. It just sounded right. Now I know why. Thanks!

[@OscarUnderdog]

Cool realisation!