Basic Knowledge about Session Drummers (1/2)

session drummers

The most effective drums are real drums. Some of the greatest real drums on some of the best albums ever were created by session drummers. That lay down iconic drum recordings one undertaking at a time.

You may know the myth and the lore of session drummers.

However, what are session drummers and how do they actually work?

And more importantly, how do they work, how can they match your projects. And how can you hire them to give you the crispy drum tracks of your dreams?

In this article, we will learn all about the ins and outs of session drummers. And the way they can provide your projects the drummer’s touch.

Continue reading →

Session Singer: The Basics of Pro Vocals Explained

session singer

Vocals can make or break a track. The best singer on the right track can turn a common instrumental into hit material. However, vocals aren’t easy… Especially when singing isn’t your thing. You can’t pretend that you have a good vocal. That’s where the session singer comes in.

In the session singer and vocalist guide, you’ll learn what session vocalists do, why they’re an excellent option for adding new layers to your music, and how to discover and hire session singers for your next project.

Let’s get started.

Continue reading →

Polyrhythms: Use Addictive Rhythmic Patterns In Music

polyrhythms

Polyrhythms may be one of the most misunderstood rhythmic concepts in music theory.

If you’re just getting began with music you might have written polyrhythms off as being too difficult and hard to understand.

Sure—you’ll need some basic understanding of rhythm and meter.

However, with a number of basic ideas, polyrhythms aren’t actually that difficult to understand.

The truth is, polyrhythms are actually cool and they can add another dimension to the rhythms you write and play within your own music.

Once you’ve studied and discovered them you’ll hear them used everywhere in music, from the top 40 charts down to the most complicated avant-garde compositions.

So let’s check out how polyrhythms work and learn some simple ways to feel their unique rhythmic characteristics in your own playing.

Continue reading →

Best Methods to Find the Key of a Song

Last Updated on April 5th, 2021 at 3:49 pm

key of a song

When you’re in a creative process, the very last thing you want to worry about is musical theory. However, if you don’t know the way to find the key of the song, it’s holding you back.

Working on theory concepts like key signatures can be intimidating. It can certainly drain your whole creative energy, however, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

All songs are written in specific keys that will decide which chords and notes work effectively together. You should know the key if you’re planning on improvising, transposing, or writing songs.

Continue reading →

Time Stretching and Pitch Shifting in Music Production

time stretching pitch shifting

Browsing through piles of samples to seek out the right sound for your beat is like looking for a needle in a haystack. To hear the way a sample sounds in context with your beat it has to match your beat’s key and tempo. The best way to do this is with pitch shifting and time stretching. The best part is free time stretching and pitch shifting tools exist that will help you independently change the tempo or key of any sample you discover. It’s remarkable how this technology changes all the things about beat-making. In this article, we’ll explore why time stretching and pitch shifting tools are so useful to every music producer—and we’ll take a look at specific ways you should use them in your music-making workflow.

Continue reading →

Is Online Jamming the Best Way to Collaborate Remotely

Last Updated on March 18th, 2021 at 10:09 am

online jamming

On day three-hundred-and-something of a global pandemic that forced us to cancel in-person jams. We all need to experience the thrill and pure pleasure of trading musical ideas in person again. However, the truth is internet speeds, lag and the limitations of DAWs make online jamming next to impossible in real-time without making some serious compromises. Here’s my hard truth for today—online jamming isn’t the easiest way to collaborate remotely. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t methods to create fulfilling collaborative relationships online.

Continue reading →

Zoom Alternatives: The 5 Best Video Apps for Musicians

Last Updated on February 24th, 2021 at 3:43 pm

zoom alternatives

Daily life moved online like never before in 2020 and it continues to 2021.

If you spent most of last year on video calls, you’ve probably wondered about using videoconferencing software for music.

Music collaboration is important for inspiration and working together face-to-face is more difficult right now.

However, using regular video apps for music can be a challenge. Configuring audio, setting up mics, and sharing your DAW screen can grind a fun session to a halt.

Even so, there are many effective options out there for musicians who need to work together from afar.

In this article, I’m showing you the top 10 Zoom alternatives for musicians so you can collaborate on music remotely.

Continue reading →