Music Theory for Techno
Have you ever wondered if music theory was relevant for techno? Well wonder no more!
In this video we examine:
1. How to apply classic music theory to the genre of techno
2. What the role of dissonance and repetition is in techno
3. How to get the right sound character for techno
Find Oscar's 8-hour industrial techno tutorial here: courses.underdog.brussels/ 🖤
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Content:
0:00 Introduction
1:02 Rule 1: Use classic music theory
1:49 Scales for Techno infographic
2:11 Using chord progressions or intervals
3:17 Rule 2: Embrace dissonance
3:39 Ostinato insistence
4:28 The harmonic architecture of a techno track
5:11 3 strategies to make repetitive riffs
6:38 Rule 3: Sound character
7:38 DETUNE YOUR OSCILLATORS
8:53 The techno toot
9:38 The ML185 sequencer and Phoscyon
11:16 Recap of the 3 rules
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 🌱🌱🌱
Are you from belgium?
@@danielnitsch3554 yep! Irish/Belgian actually 😊👍
@@OscarUnderdog my Brother is Born in Belgium. He is also dj-ing
@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?
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 🙂
I’ve never seen anyone discuss techno music theory before. Thanks!
Yes so true valuable information thank you so much
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
Nor this well... :-)
@@Eceptes I searched this a bit but had not much luck, could you please share the link(s). I got really curious about this!
@@danvandal4127 kzhead.info/sun/p6ume9SPb6djg3k/bejne.html Imnew into making music, so im still learning how to move between the party mode and exotic mode :D
Finally somebody who knows and helps. I'm tired of listening that techno is just noise and doesn't uses theory
Means a lot, this comment :) thank you!
@@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.
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
@@kattmazi1934this is an argument for 35-40 years ago.
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...
I wish I saw it 10 years ago myself :D
Same
There is literally zero music theory in this video though
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
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.
100% agree 😌✌
I think of it as a language.
I agree. 'Explanation' of music's physics, and 'description' of how musicians used the musical elements in their work.
I always say it's a description, not a prescription
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
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
I think you did a good job explaining it, thanks
I understood it perfectly. It helped me to look at the E Phrygian scale to understand what you mean :)
That's a really interesting and useful point o view, thanks for sharing!
Never thought of this. Interesting. Good to watch out for
So much this
"Techno toot" is my favorite term in the entire world.
😂
I like how straightforward are these tutorials, what a great material mate, keep up the good work.
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.
Cheers Diarmaid :D That feature's only been there since Live 11.
@@OscarUnderdog Ahhh... that's a relief. I'm only slightly less stupid now. :)
Yep, he is awesome!!!
or u can use midi scale effect in Ableton. its very useful i think.
@@MatusPecho Thanks Metus. Any links to a tutorial on how to use it? :)
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. 😂
😁 we are simple animals, at the end of the day.
Only way to program the 303. Hit random pattern till it grooves. :D
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.
Exactly this!
vi - IV - I - V i - bVI - bIII - bVII
This is why EDM is shit.
First 25 seconds was all I needed to hear . That's definitely the science of a perfect loop
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.
You have no idea how much I needed this. Thank you so much! Will def support you in the future
no single tutorial ever competed. So well done, thanks a lot!!
it's INSANE! There is so much information in your videos, it really helps me when playing around with fl studio
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.
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.
Here's hoping! 🙏🧡
Same here.
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.
That means a lot 😁 thanks!
what's meth rock?
@@bartekgwarek1317 It's something you smoke I think 😅
@@DaftFader Damn that was a good answer hahahah
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 !
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.
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..
Absolutely great video, useful not only to those who wants to make techno, but it's generally very educational. Subscribed!
you got yourselves a new subscriber! very sympathetic front teacher and interesting concepts as they apply to techno/electronic music especially. really loved the bits about continuous pitch and detuning.
Nice job, man. This was really enjoyable. Thanks for making it simple, bare bones, straight to the point. Great stuff.
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
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)
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 🤜
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
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.
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..
Yes! 100x this!
I've been thinking about getting deeper into techno techniques and this video suggestion came from the sky. Perfect. Subscribed
This guy and Underdog is awesome. Clear instructions to make your sound killing it.
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!
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.
It's called chromaticism.
This advice is a blessing. wicked man.... 1st-time viewer & newly subbed so looking forward to your videos...Thank you
Really needed to see a video like this. Well done and well presented. Subbed 👍
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.
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.
@@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
@@TheEviltaco666 Well, it's titled "Music Theory for Techno", so it should have included the basic philosophy when it's not even mentioned
Thank you men. This is exactly what I was looking for. Good vibes 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
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
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.
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.
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!!
nicely presented and produced! I like the video jumps to emphasize points and the live examples. ty for posting!
Big thanks to you one of the best Tutorials on YT.
Good stuff Oscar ! Other sequencers to check out are the rozzer , mono sequencer and melodic step sequencer all max 4 life devices
This is the best information I’ve ever herd about making music...
I just starting out with synthesizer and watch a few videos on the topic of Techno. I will probably get through your videolist for getting further starting help! Keep up the great work!
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!
W O W this is by far the cleverest explanation of my musical taste and now I can understand how to make it!!!
Come join the fun 😁🖤
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.
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.
If you begin with E, Phrygian mode it's all the white piano notes.
Great video. Really well done, with visual explanations and audible examples. If your classes are like this then I’m really interested to try them.
You know I love your videos! I haven't made any music for a few months any more now, this really makes me want to start again 😍😁
I really like the way this channel teaches electronic music - approachable with examples without diving too deep into music theories etc.
Yeah, keep it practical! ✨
Music theory is simple get it learnt
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.
this needs way more views and recognition, your explanations are great cheers
Nice work buddy, explanations are great and the topic is just what I needed. Definitely gonna watch all of your other videos and looking forward to your new content :)
Niiiice
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)
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.
Interesting, I’m trying to make hardcore techno/gabber kinda of drum patterns, this helped, thanks 👌🏾
Damn, I am close to enrolling on your course, Oscar. Love your tutorials. Thank you.
Thank you so much, I could not find a video on scales for techno anywhere
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?
The "think in intervals" part explains sooooooo much of the music i made and listened to... ^^
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! :)
This is my favorite music creation channel on YT. Period.
This is a really nice and one of the first videos that actually have very decent and clear information! Thanks really and already did all the things from subscribing to all this other stuff :) please keep these videos coming :)
Super glad it's helpful :)
Please make one on Dub Techno! In the spirit of Basic Channel!
"don't use major scale because it'll take you into happy territory" pfft, now I know why I like happy hardcore more! xD
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.
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
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
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.
This video opened my eyes and ears. Thanks for the knowledge my g 🙏🙏
Watching just a few of your videos, decided me to purchase a Minilab MKII a pick up my old hobby of producing again. Thank you for inspiring me! Cliff
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.
Yes please or for sale I’d buy
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 !
Whoaw, big love to Uruguay! 💛
@@OscarUnderdog ♥
i needed this so much, thank you so so much man! love from germany 🖤
@Oscar this is great! We are soon going to see a whole new generation of techno producers soon because of this. You’re a wonderful teacher!
Omg I finally figured out what scale i've always used instinctively but never knew it's name (Phrygian). Thanks so much.
My pleasure
To quote Adam Neely, “Repetition legitimizes”
I expected to learn something but learned way more, these kinda videos help a lot with me trying to DIY music, thanks!
Awesome explanation of using the root note with a scale. Thanks for the great videos.
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.
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.
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,
@@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.
Thank you.great channel. Subscribed and liked.keep it up
Just found this underDog dude .Good advice .I been making music since 90s and this film was inspiring.
Great, clear info! I'm definitely signing up for the course when I have the time and money.
idk why that title is so funny to me, but it was a very helpful and informative video. Thank you!
I know, some people have found it pretty triggering 😄 Glad you found the substance actually helpful tho!
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
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.
Same
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!
🥰
never seen this channel but the premise is incredibly interesting. great vid!
This is a really high quality presentation and really smooth listening experience, thank you!
🙏😁 thanks!
This is wonderful! A super non-technical explanation. Even I can understand it :-)
thank you for uploading this answered too many questions in my head
Thank you Soooo much. I've learned a lot for my music production.
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!
Oooh, interesting 😁
There is a lot of techno in darkwave. I think u do like techno. You just dont know it
Thanking the benevolent gods of the algorithm for revealing to me the music theory secrets of techno. Via your channel, of course. Subbed
💚⚡😇
Love your tutorials man 🙏
Thanks a lot! I have been in the music business for a short time and I have learned a lot from you!
awesome video.. and is one of your sound panels in the background a Prawns print?
Aye!
Great stuff, techno toot is now among my favourite phrases. 👌
Toot toot 🎺🎺
Timestamp this ish , my gosh, commenter!! LoL
09:00 , here it is "techno toot" loL
in LOVE w/ this channel! Thanks for the educational videos.
Super cool video, bravo ! The Planets from Holz were also an inspiration for my first album GALAXIE :) Love the parallel you make between this piece and techno !
Progressive house theory pleaseeeeeee! This channel is a gem
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!
Cool realisation!
I just discovered your channel. Was on a totally different search path but great video I'll watch all your vids now