What vinpous says is true - you do not need to learn traditional music theory in order to compose music. It enables you to write in numerous styles, but there are other styles available to you that you may find more accessible.

I recommend looking up a few pentatonic scales, which are scales with five notes instead of the traditional seven. It is very easy to produce consonant harmonies with pentatonic scales. A common one in many countries is C D E G A. Also try C Eb F G Bb for a soft, mellow sound.

EDIT: I forgot that I am working with "even tempered" instrument tuning. Because bagpipes are have a "just tempered" tuning, the pentatonic scales may not work depending on which note you start on. I do know there many scales from India that use a "just tempered" tuning - it is called Carnatic music. A common theme is the drone accompanied by a melody. Perhaps listening to it will provide inspiration and you can simply record yourself.

I'll dump what I can here. Hopefully it makes some sense.

2/4 time means each measure contains two quarter notes.
6/8 time means each measure contains six eighth notes.



To my knowledge, bagpipes cannot play chords. However, each "bar" should mainly use notes from a chord, one chord at a time, and certain chords move into other chords more naturally than others. That is why there are categories for the chords: "tonic" "tonic extension" "sub dominant" "dominant" to help get the order right.

"Tonic" contains: I
"Tonic extension" contains: III
"Sub-domianant" contains: II and IV and VI
"Dominant" contains: V and VII

pick one or more from each list and move down the lists, but you cannot move one chord value down; like III into II is wrong, and VII into VI is wrong.
Some examples are I - III - IV - VII or I - II - IV - V
You can also skip a category, usually tonic extension. You can skip sub dominant. Don't skip tonic or dominant - they are the foundation for music to work.
Some more examples are I - IV - V - or I - V - I - VII

A chord contains three or more notes. Begin on the note of the scale that the Roman numeral says (like the first note for I, the second note for II), then choose every other note in the scale to build up. Like C would have C E G, because you skip D and F.

Do this for all seven chords of your scale to figure out which notes are in them.


Intervals are the number of semitones between two notes, and a semitone is the smallest distance between two notes. For example, C and C# are one semitone apart. The names of the intervals are in this order: m2 (minor second), M2 (major second), m3 (minor third), M3 (Major third), P4 (perfect fourth), P5 (perfect fifth), m6 (minor sixth), M6 (major sixth), m7 (minor seventh), M7 (major seventh)

a triad is a type of chord made up of two "thirds", because the notes in the chord are three or four semitones from each other. A major triad has M3 then m3, while a minor triad has m3 then M3.

Actually what you gotta do is cleanse your chakras. Spin them clockwise, and make double sure the aura of your solar plexus is yellow. It's the only way.

Yeah but for real, just work on something. Write what you can, select your favorite rhythm or motif from your brainstorming, then work off of that. An interesting initial 4 or 8 bars can carry you really far.

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(23 replies, posted in General Discussion)

I graduated from college in December, summa cum laude with a major in Technical Communication and a minor in Education. Currently looking for an entry-level job.

I didn't make much music last year, so I'm looking forward to WB2016. I'd like to help others this year more than before.

Thanks, I'm glad you all like it. Let me know if you use one of these scales - I'd love to hear it.

I'm currently planning to release another volume March 1.

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(11 replies, posted in General Discussion)

For 1-bit tracks, Beepola: http://battleofthebits.org/lyceum/View/Beepola/

For a pianoroll tracker with unlimited channels + .wav and custom waveform support, pxtone: http://studiopixel.sakura.ne.jp/pxtone/
Try the pxtone collage collective for some tracks: http://pxtone.haru.gs/english/

I made two reference booklets on the scales of Greek and Ethiopian folk music.

Volume 1: There are 12 scales here: Hijaz, Hijazkiar, Houzam, Periaiotikos, Rast, Sengiah, Tsinganikos, Kiourdi, Niaventi, Ousak, Sabach, and Souzinak. Each page features a piano image, a notation image, category info, and a chart listing all triads and seventh chords.

Volume 2: There are 16 scales here: Tizita Major, Tizita Minor, Batti Major, Batti Major #4, Batti Major #5, Batti Minor, Batti Minor #4, Batti Minor #4#7, Ambassel Major, Ambassel Minor, Anchihoye, Yematebela Wofe, Shegaye, Ararai, Ezel / Geez, and Kaffa. The first 13 are pentatonic, and have mode charts instead of chord charts. The final 3 are heptatonic and contain chord charts. If the scale has a Western equivalent, I added it under the name. Thank you for your patience!

I may create more volumes in the future - let me know what you think. Happy composing.

Download volume 1 "Greece" here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7l1nq42eyo47y … e.pdf?dl=0

Download volume 2 "Ethiopia" here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pxa366kurx5zo … a.pdf?dl=0

Here is a screenshot of volume 1. It is the first scale, Hijaz.

Here is a screenshot of volume 2. It is the table of contents, showing the 16 scales.

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(80 replies, posted in General Discussion)

ok

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(92 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Also, how will we share .wav files?

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(92 replies, posted in General Discussion)

I'm willing to write a track too

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(92 replies, posted in General Discussion)

It is a rewarding experience. I learned a lot of new rhythms. 104/104.

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(2 replies, posted in General Discussion)

congratulations :]

I think I'm going to make it to 52 without using any upload links :]

uhh... should we report the email and phone number to the united nations or something?

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(23 replies, posted in General Discussion)

I'm going for the whole year too

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(22 replies, posted in General Discussion)

what a lot of us did last time was wait until the final week and have a big spree. really felt like a festival or something hehe