Real Talk - RnB Help And TIps

Dskillz · 08-06-2006, 03:05 AM

Aye, I been on the RnB grind lately and more cats been coming at me with singers, So im starting this thread and hopefully we can share some useful information on constructing RnB songs from the beat making all the way to the song writing process. So Cats like Bodi, Sol, Meta, etc etc drop your knowledge.

And if anyone has a particular question, drop it here, and hopefully someone can answer it.

Me, my first question:

What are some common RnB progressions for mainstream music today ?

In terms of (i.e, I IV V) etc...

And what were those books that you guys liked ???

nwo504 · 08-06-2006, 03:38 AM

Here's a couple

Gm, Eb, D7
Bm, Em7, A7
Am, Em
C, F, G7
D, Em, A7

BoDi · 08-06-2006, 01:19 PM

well some that i like to use are Am7-Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 AND Em-Am-Dm-G7-C

that is a decending fifths progression. some of the best songs have been written using progessions like these. this is just a few tho.

also keep in mind...a lot of RnB is in E minor...it's very common key b/c of the mysterious minor sound u get from it.

any other questions let me know.

Dskillz · 08-06-2006, 02:16 PM

Yeah thanks alot for that drop.. but those chords u listed...do they fit in the chosen scale...or are the keys unique ??

Becuase when ur dealing with scale...lets say the scale of A Minor...it would be hard to play the chord C major...etc...

M.Maestro · 08-06-2006, 02:28 PM

get a good chord progression, try the ones listed.

Me i use a lot of 9th chords, 7th chords, a lot of slash chords (where u hit two chords at once)

best thing is to keep the melodies simple and the beat empty.. not to empty.. try to focus more on effects, rather than instruments

like:

Piano, EP, Guitar (main)
Bass
Lil synths ( nothing major)

and drums

vocals are also an insrument so you have to take that into consideration when u make it.

basically just have a singable progression that leads back into the root chord, and u good...cuz as soon as a singer gets on the beat.. they bring it to life. you can have the hottest rnb beat in the world.. it aint shit til a singer jumps on it. a GOOD SINGER.

and u gotta feel that shit when u play.. rnb is all about feel.. same with soul music, when u play the keys u gotta make love to that fuckin keyboard..

i was just babblin but

as far as the chords and scales, music theory is theory for a reason, you can still break it. thats why you heard chords that sound out of key, but still have that harmonic tension.

music theory is an amazing gift from god.. foreal lol

the chords that bodi and the other cat used are some of the progressions i use.

U can use the same porgression over and over, and as long has you have a diff rthythm to the progressiona nd a new melody, it will neevr sound the same.

ever.

M.Maestro · 08-06-2006, 02:30 PM

dont worry about the scale now, just hit the chords that the other dude posted.

circle of fourths, circle of fifths.. i need to learn that all over again.

Dskillz · 08-06-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwo504

Here's a couple

Gm, Eb, D7
Bm, Em7, A7
Am, Em
C, F, G7
D, Em, A7

Yo... the EB...is that minor or major ? as well as the 7s...

Dskillz · 08-06-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.Maestro

dont worry about the scale now, just hit the chords that the other dude posted.

circle of fourths, circle of fifths.. i need to learn that all over again.

Yeah, im tryna figure those out.

Hypnotik · 08-06-2006, 02:53 PM

Good looks on them keys

illpill · 08-06-2006, 04:35 PM

Thx for all the tips from everybody

veral conflict · 08-06-2006, 05:23 PM

use the entire keyboard (climb up and down octaves)...

sounds kinda dumb, but use the entire keyboard...

but some good tips in here...

BoDi · 08-06-2006, 07:24 PM

yeah, meta knows what he's talking about..

the progressions i listed are circle of fifths..

like meta said, you can have the same progression, just using a different melody/rhythm and use it over and over again because it will sound different, but in the same key..i do that a lot b/c i have favorite keys that i like.

i play in A Minor, E Minor, and C Minor a lot too

also...F Major along with C Major are two very HAPPY chords...if you're looking for a happy vibe use those.. they are simple.

illpill · 08-08-2006, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwo504

Here's a couple

Gm, Eb, D7
Bm, Em7, A7
Am, Em
C, F, G7
D, Em, A7

Just curious when u dont include the m it's major right?

crazyfoo · 08-08-2006, 04:10 AM

yep, no m denotes major..

nwo504 · 08-08-2006, 05:20 PM

yea my bad

Xabiton · 08-09-2006, 01:24 AM

I was lookin for some info on chord progression yesterday thinkin this same thing as dskillz lol. anyway anyone know any good books to check out on chord progression

KSoundz · 08-09-2006, 01:34 AM

ya'll know any websites where they show the chords on a keyboard like lil pictures or sumn? ive stumbled upon sum but i forget the names.

Xabiton · 08-09-2006, 11:33 AM

pianonanny.com

Turl · 08-09-2006, 12:29 PM

heres a good site to learn those chords:

http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano/

08-06-2006, 03:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dskillz aka MG The Future Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ATL Posts: 14,750	Real Talk - RnB Help And TIps Aye, I been on the RnB grind lately and more cats been coming at me with singers, So im starting this thread and hopefully we can share some useful information on constructing RnB songs from the beat making all the way to the song writing process. So Cats like Bodi, Sol, Meta, etc etc drop your knowledge. And if anyone has a particular question, drop it here, and hopefully someone can answer it. Me, my first question: What are some common RnB progressions for mainstream music today ? In terms of (i.e, I IV V) etc... And what were those books that you guys liked ??? __________________ What's The Future Hold ??? Add Me - On Myspace *Latest Release:* 3rd Inf., Point Game, MG - So Incredible Click ^^ There ^^ Thanks. Last edited by Dskillz; 08-06-2006 at 03:15 AM.

08-06-2006, 03:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
nwo504 Free Mystikal Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 4,066	Here's a couple Gm, Eb, D7 Bm, Em7, A7 Am, Em C, F, G7 D, Em, A7 __________________ RaWtUneZ MySpace RocBattle

08-06-2006, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
BoDi Still bodirock Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 11,637	well some that i like to use are Am7-Dm7-G7-Cmaj7 AND Em-Am-Dm-G7-C that is a decending fifths progression. some of the best songs have been written using progessions like these. this is just a few tho. also keep in mind...a lot of RnB is in E minor...it's very common key b/c of the mysterious minor sound u get from it. any other questions let me know. __________________ "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." - Frank Outlaw

08-06-2006, 02:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dskillz aka MG The Future Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ATL Posts: 14,750	Yeah thanks alot for that drop.. but those chords u listed...do they fit in the chosen scale...or are the keys unique ?? Becuase when ur dealing with scale...lets say the scale of A Minor...it would be hard to play the chord C major...etc... __________________ What's The Future Hold ??? Add Me - On Myspace *Latest Release:* 3rd Inf., Point Game, MG - So Incredible Click ^^ There ^^ Thanks.

08-06-2006, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hypnotik HYPNOTIK PRODUCTIONS..... Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: ILLANOISE Posts: 27,395	Good looks on them keys __________________ Hypnotik Is Here)

08-06-2006, 02:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
M.Maestro Ghost Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 12,153	get a good chord progression, try the ones listed. Me i use a lot of 9th chords, 7th chords, a lot of slash chords (where u hit two chords at once) best thing is to keep the melodies simple and the beat empty.. not to empty.. try to focus more on effects, rather than instruments like: Piano, EP, Guitar (main) Bass Lil synths ( nothing major) and drums vocals are also an insrument so you have to take that into consideration when u make it. basically just have a singable progression that leads back into the root chord, and u good...cuz as soon as a singer gets on the beat.. they bring it to life. you can have the hottest rnb beat in the world.. it aint shit til a singer jumps on it. a GOOD SINGER. and u gotta feel that shit when u play.. rnb is all about feel.. same with soul music, when u play the keys u gotta make love to that fuckin keyboard.. i was just babblin but as far as the chords and scales, music theory is theory for a reason, you can still break it. thats why you heard chords that sound out of key, but still have that harmonic tension. music theory is an amazing gift from god.. foreal lol the chords that bodi and the other cat used are some of the progressions i use. U can use the same porgression over and over, and as long has you have a diff rthythm to the progressiona nd a new melody, it will neevr sound the same. ever.

08-06-2006, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
M.Maestro Ghost Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 12,153	dont worry about the scale now, just hit the chords that the other dude posted. circle of fourths, circle of fifths.. i need to learn that all over again.

08-06-2006, 04:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
illpill Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 526	Thx for all the tips from everybody __________________ *Check out MY SOUNDCLICK* Or my MYSPACE

08-06-2006, 05:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
veral conflict beatsrus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 9,612	use the entire keyboard (climb up and down octaves)... sounds kinda dumb, but use the entire keyboard... but some good tips in here... __________________ *Beats R Us*

08-06-2006, 07:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
BoDi Still bodirock Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 11,637	yeah, meta knows what he's talking about.. the progressions i listed are circle of fifths.. like meta said, you can have the same progression, just using a different melody/rhythm and use it over and over again because it will sound different, but in the same key..i do that a lot b/c i have favorite keys that i like. i play in A Minor, E Minor, and C Minor a lot too also...F Major along with C Major are two very HAPPY chords...if you're looking for a happy vibe use those.. they are simple. __________________ "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." - Frank Outlaw

08-08-2006, 04:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
crazyfoo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 442	yep, no m denotes major..

08-08-2006, 05:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
nwo504 Free Mystikal Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 4,066	yea my bad __________________ RaWtUneZ MySpace RocBattle

08-09-2006, 01:24 AM	#16 (permalink)
Xabiton Still in love with lo fi Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 16,853	I was lookin for some info on chord progression yesterday thinkin this same thing as dskillz lol. anyway anyone know any good books to check out on chord progression

08-09-2006, 01:34 AM	#17 (permalink)
KSoundz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 951	ya'll know any websites where they show the chords on a keyboard like lil pictures or sumn? ive stumbled upon sum but i forget the names. __________________ I AM\|Burnem.

08-09-2006, 11:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
Xabiton Still in love with lo fi Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 16,853	pianonanny.com

08-09-2006, 12:29 PM	#19 (permalink)
Turl Producer Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,512	heres a good site to learn those chords: http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano/ __________________ MYSPACE