How do you write music? I’m going to try to offer some insight into that question using some pieces that I’ve recently written as specific examples. I’m trying to make this accessible for those who have little to no musical background, so my apologies to those who want some more music theory and deep analysis.
Case Study: 'The Tide' — BPM: 40, KEY: G Major
For this blog, I’ll use the piece titled The Tide from my latest album Finding Stillness II. I hope most of what I describe becomes clear once you listen to the track.
While writing all of the music on this album, I had a few general ideas or overarching concepts running through my mind, which helped guide my decision-making. They included things like:
Create beautiful, calming ambient-cinematic music
Write music that can help the world slow down
Introspective, reflective, and meditative
The Tide is a very slow track with the tempo at 40 beats per minute. Throughout the piece, no elements come in to add momentum or pacing, and it intentionally remains very slow-moving. This is later why I decided to name it The Tide, as it reminded me of very slow waves of water washing in and out. This track is in the key of G Major. There are layers that drone away throughout the track always reminding the listener that G is home base.
Over top of these layers, long, slow chords are swelled in and out, alternating between G Major, E minor, C Major 7, and Am (not in that order exactly). The chords get more and more powerful throughout the piece as they are built up with additional layers. Initially we hear them played on synthesizer and cello.
Photo by SKearns Photo @steveak
As I mentioned, as the track progresses, the chords get more and more powerful. The next layer to come in is an effected electric piano. This is followed by guitar swells (with a volume pedal), and additional high synth layers. You can hear these parts isolated below. Near the climax, high strings and a deep synth bass come in helping to build the music up to its peak. Finally the track ends by repeating the first few chords again, but now softer and with fewer layers, similar to earlier in the track.
So there it is! A brief description of the piece with some of the parts isolated for clarity. Obviously I’ve only scratched the surface here, but hopefully it has opened your ears up a bit to what’s happening in The Tide and opened your mind up a bit to some of the processes that I use when writing music.
Check out The Tide and the full album Finding Stillness II. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
If you do enjoy the music, maybe you’d consider buying it - every little bit helps. Available for purchase on my Website or on Bandcamp. Following and streaming helps as well!
