| While there are levels of skill beyond what I am going | | | | etc. Rather than using them in a loop, you would use |
| to be telling you about, they all involve using tools | | | | them to build up a beat, or even a whole song, |
| outside of the computer. I am going to explain the first | | | | depending on what sounds you have access to. |
| three level of making beats, which are all based on just | | | | Okay, now the jargon is out of the way, let's get into |
| using resources on your computer. The only other tool | | | | the three skill levels. |
| you need is a mic if you are going to record vocals. | | | | Level one is the beginners level. This is where you are |
| The three levels of skill are: | | | | taking loops with fully constructed beats and just using |
| 1. Using pre-made looping beats with accents. | | | | them, or maybe using two beats that work well |
| 2. Using pre-made drum and bass loops to build a beat, | | | | together to get a new one. After you have dropped it |
| then adding accents. | | | | (them) into your arrangement software, you then add |
| 3. Using one shot sounds and cutting up loops to | | | | accents and produce your song from there. |
| construct a beat from scratch, then adding your | | | | It is important for someone new to music production to |
| accents. | | | | start at this level. It gives you time to learn the program, |
| First I will give you a run down on the jargon I am using. | | | | to learn about arranging and producing, and most |
| A loop is a piece of sound that can be looped to play | | | | importantly it gives you a chance to really start |
| over and over. They are an evolution of the practice | | | | developing your own sense of what sounds good. |
| of sampling from other people's albums. Rather, they | | | | The second skill level is taking what you were doing |
| are produced and sold in collections and libraries. Many | | | | before, but exchanging beat loops for drum, and bass |
| famous musicians and producers have contributed | | | | loops. At this level of skill you are constructing your |
| loops to the world. Depending on the source and | | | | beats using separate parts, but still relying on loops to |
| quality of the loop collection they run anywhere from a | | | | do it. It's a natural progression. You start getting |
| few dollars for a single disc with a few dozen loops, to | | | | annoyed at the restrictiveness of only having beats |
| over a hundred for large collections. | | | | someone else made, so you start applying what you |
| Accents are the part of a beat that keep it from | | | | already know how to do, but using a new method. |
| getting annoying. Strings, synth work, back up singing, | | | | The third level is making beats from scratch. |
| anything really. Each producer has their own style, | | | | Depending on what you have to work with, this can |
| which is often influenced by region. | | | | mean using one-shots to build the beat up, or cutting up |
| One-Shots are loops with only one sound. A single | | | | pre-made beat loops, and/or instrument loops to get |
| drum hit, a single piano key strike, a single bass sound, | | | | your building materials. Personally, I do both. |