Deprecated: mysql_connect(): The mysql extension is deprecated and will be removed in the future: use mysqli or PDO instead in /storage/content/49/145849/famitracker.com/public_html/forum/classes/dbHandler.php on line 29
FamiTracker
I am very new to famitracker, and "making music" as a whole.
Over the past few days I have followed 8bitdanooct1's videos on YouTube and have managed to understand the UI and have mannaged to somewhat cover a song by listening to the NSF file.
However I am at a loss at trying to make my own songs. I have no music theory training or experience and hardly know anything of notes, chords or any of the like.
Whenever I have tried to make a song I have simply made a random sequence and hoped it sounded good. Obviously this was to no avail and resulted and random noise.
I was wondering where I might go to learn/find out more about piecing together a song of my own and learning about what goes into making a song itself?
Basically you don't need any musical experience in order to make music. If you think there's something wrong with the melody or the chord progression, then change something in it and listen to it. If it sounds any better, then you're going at the right direction. If you already know what kind of song you're going for, then you should have a very clear image of it in your mind. You just need to reproduce that image into Famitracker, and in order to do that you might need some trial and error.
Starting off with the chord progression is usually advised, but I like to start off with the melody and build the chord progression for the melody. Knowing some scales should also help you. For example F minor scale has notes F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db and Eb. This means that these notes fit together and sound good, but any other note may not fit the melody or the song. The attachment might clear some things up.
Buying a Midi-keyboard may help you. Download other people's .ftm files and study them, and cover your favourite songs.
Some prior training in music theory always helps, but otherwise trial-and-error does the trick.
The programmer in my indie dev group managed to make the [url=http://www.ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-26/comment-page-1/?action=preview&uid=6672]music for his game in SunVox, and he barely knows much at all.
Thanks for all the helpful advice so far. Another problem I think I have is making the instruments. I've looked at the sample projects and they have strings, harps, guitar and all sorts of sounds using loops and releases. At this point I cant really fathom how to make so many diverse instruments and have thus far just stuck with normal tones in the Square, Triangle and Noise waves.
As for the instruments, as long as it sounds good, it's fine. Sometimes sticking with simple things sound good, like the early NES games (well, some of them ;).
_______________________
"im going to continue making this crazy stuff then after a while my style will be so sick that you will be like damn suuun that shit is so sick i dont even get it. i will be like bro its ok.. you dont have to." -omgdonut
As someone who 'wasted' 5 years learning music theory and doing looooots of things there is 1 method that i prefer for composing my own original music.
Step 1.
You hear something in your head, be it a melody, a rythym ect.
Step 2.
Listen to it and see if you hear something in your head that complements it.
Step 3.1
Run a blank? Come back later
Step 3.2
Repeat step 2 for each track. untill you are finished.
Basicly, cover what you hear in your head.
If this doesnt work. Then it's time to start learning Gregorian (basic Diatonic) scales and general chord theory. so you can identify and copy certain pattrens you like.
(no really, just dive in, theory helps but the more you do the more confident you'll be and eventually you'll be writing original pieces just fine, kfaraday would even recommend to write nonstop and barely do any covers too!)
[quote=8bitChef]Another problem I think I have is making the instruments. I've looked at the sample projects and they have strings, harps, guitar and all sorts of sounds using loops and releases. At this point I cant really fathom how to make so many diverse instruments and have thus far just stuck with normal tones in the Square, Triangle and Noise waves.[/quote]
I don't see a problem with this. I use real plain instruments as well and I haven't had any trouble. Just play with it until you hear something you like. It will click when it's just right
_______________________
B00daW wrote: Memes are are like cheese; perishable.
Follow me on SoundCloud! http://soundcloud.com/thislinkisnttaken
[quote=8bitChef]Thanks for all the helpful advice so far. Another problem I think I have is making the instruments. I've looked at the sample projects and they have strings, harps, guitar and all sorts of sounds using loops and releases. At this point I cant really fathom how to make so many diverse instruments and have thus far just stuck with normal tones in the Square, Triangle and Noise waves.[/quote]
Making instruments...that's for babies...
In all seriousness, though, if you REALLY don't want to make instruments, you could go "balls to the wall" with Speed 1, though this is really meant for people skilled enough to do so. Instrument making, as with past experience, is quite difficult for myself as well. You have to experiment, though--that's all it is. Experiment to get the right sounds and work from there. Diversity in instruments is a cool little thing, yes, and it's not bad to have many options. I guess, like anything with Famitracker, it comes down to careful shadowing. Follow a few people's works and see how they make songs and their general style (don't follow me...for obvious Speed 1 reasons). I did it for a while and I've changed my general style about 5 times. I went from 2A03 100% covering to MMC5 covering to regular VRC6 covering to Akumajou Densetsu Covering, and it's warped out of place and stuck at Speed 1 VRC6 Covering Mayhem. I still think I have a lot to learn...even after 3 years (yeah, I've been on the forums for more than one...but out of it with Famitracker for 2). There's nothing to worry about, though We've all been in your position at some point and time.
_______________________
Smogon, Famitracker, YouTube...
So many places, so little creativity left...
Music theory is over-rated. I spent years studying it, but once you sit down to compose it's really all about following your ear even if the theory says that's wrong.
As for the instruments just experiment until you get a sound you like.
.png)
