Are there RULES in music??

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  • Опубликовано: 11 дек 2024

Комментарии • 113

  • @NathanJamesLarsen
    @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +24

    I want to be really clear - these "rules" CAN BE BROKEN and there are LOTS of times you would want to "break" them or get creative - in NO way am I advocating for making music "un-emotional" so please try to see the nuance in this conversation and not go black and white by saying there either "are" or "are not" rules - you can find 100 ways to do different and creative things but if you ignore the reality that music IS governed by a large set of guidelines then you are missing out on a lot of potential.

  • @meis18mofo77
    @meis18mofo77 2 года назад +5

    one tiny problem, the random chord progression you played that "doesn't sound very good" slapps major asscheecks. *insert Barbossa quote here*

  • @musiclore
    @musiclore 2 года назад +6

    Music theory is like learning a new language, you become an interpreter, so cool

  • @ChrisGilland
    @ChrisGilland 2 года назад

    Nathan, you are very rapidly becoming one of my favorite RUclipsrs. I love your firm/blunt directness, but also the friendliness in how you don't just say this is how it is, but you explain the reason behind why things are the way they are. Also, I have been totally blind, literally speaking since birth. I use a screen reader on my computer and phone to read to me. What is on my screen with computerized speech. Thank you for being so verbally descriptive and not just flashing visual musical charts up on the screen like a lot of content producers do. You actually audibly show and demonstrate why certain things work or don't work. That is incredible. How you do that. Thank you for taking that into consideration, even if you did not intentionally mean to. Please keep making more content like this, as more than mixing, this is exactly the type content I have been looking for for years upon years upon years. I really do appreciate what you're doing.

  • @benedit6636
    @benedit6636 2 года назад +1

    I feel the exact same! Having rules in music doesn't block your creativity, it just let you "play" in the music world while having some guides

  • @jaciel.a466
    @jaciel.a466 2 года назад +3

    This is great! As someone new to music, I sit and play around on the keyboard and have no idea why certain chord combinations sound good together. Understanding the "rules" definitely helps identify why something sounds good or not.
    I'd love to hear more from you on these topics, particularly related to different combinations of chords, and the feelings these combinations can provoke. Keep up the great videos!

  • @TachyBunker
    @TachyBunker 2 года назад +12

    I feel like it's just missing one point: subjective taste. Something that sounds great to someone will sound absolutely rubbish to another. So the ultimate rule is to make what YOU like and don't tell other people they make garbage music since they are liking it.

    • @lisalegrand2186
      @lisalegrand2186 Год назад

      Mumble rap, to me, is garbage, no matter what

    • @TachyBunker
      @TachyBunker Год назад +1

      @@lisalegrand2186 exactly this. Nobody has the same taste, everybody has their preferences

    • @الأخ_الياس
      @الأخ_الياس 5 месяцев назад

      جاهل

  • @davidabhishektheethythee
    @davidabhishektheethythee 2 года назад +2

    ngl the 1st chord progression (c,gb m, Bb, E) sounded really cool. can envision that as a bridge of a song

    • @hugomartinbeats9084
      @hugomartinbeats9084 2 года назад

      I also felt it was nice

    • @RED40HOURS
      @RED40HOURS 2 года назад

      maybe its because after the tritone jump from C to F#m, its just going up/down in the circle of 4ths/5ths

    • @davidabhishektheethythee
      @davidabhishektheethythee 2 года назад

      @@RED40HOURS yes, i am aware of that. Actually any chord progression works if the right rhythm is there for the backing

  • @satwikjain6455
    @satwikjain6455 2 года назад +4

    Great Video
    Your delivery is super awesome and the way you are passionate about music, Nobody is.
    Everyone is talking about plugins and hacks.
    You my brother, talk about music. The soul of music.
    It would be really helpful if you could put more videos on Music Theory or videos like this on this Channel.

  • @davebops2478
    @davebops2478 2 года назад +6

    Nathan I have watched your recent videos with growing admiration. You are a musician, and you feel a responsibility towards your viewers. Personally I think being a musician is about understanding music, as well as being able to produce it. I look forward to your next video - keep spreading the message!

  • @yophosy5419
    @yophosy5419 2 года назад +1

    probably said already but Gm ? the screen showed G Fm still while you played - unless I am going bonkers - thanks for the great explanation of borrowing notes/chords - really clarified it.

  • @tobiascasco
    @tobiascasco 2 года назад +1

    Great video. I love your content! Hoping to soon start producer accelerator course!

  • @eskrimadorchris
    @eskrimadorchris 2 года назад +1

    I believe you hinted at the root of this topic when you were talking about "the last 20 years" and "young people" (which I would suggest generally as those young in their musical knowledge/experience). Stating that "music has no rules" is what I would say (and have heard) comes from those who want to just purely create without form or restriction. You absolutely can...but it may not be received well. Having structure is necessary...even in music...or it's like trying to speak without knowing language. Music theory is the language of music and without having that framework to build from is chaotic, atonal, random, and difficult to follow.
    I agree that "Guidelines" is a much better term and wish it would have been presented in this manner when I was studying music theory. With the analogy above of music theory being the language of music...much like a language it can be manipulated and augmented to a point and still convey the right message, but there are still some basic guidelines at work for it's base structure.
    Good stuff Nathan. I am enjoying following your work. :D

  • @onoesmurlocs
    @onoesmurlocs 2 года назад +1

    As a art and designer we use the rules of 3 all the time it's an actual term rule of 3 too, one of the biggest things I learned early on was you that can't just do what the fuck you want , It's what you do within the certain boundaries that make you unique.

  • @ripcordrevival
    @ripcordrevival 2 года назад +4

    BRO! This video is acually so helpfull! You nailed this topic! Way to go!

  • @peace4531
    @peace4531 2 года назад +1

    2:05 this is what I think is the most important lesson from this video that each genre of music has a "different" set of "rules". And to imply that "music doesn't have any rules" is however true to an extent but the thing is "genres do have rules". This is exactly where most people get confused.

  • @Lu14355
    @Lu14355 2 года назад +3

    Great video!
    I think the reason some people are afraid of learning rules is because they are afraid they will not be unique and don't see it's possible to be "unique" by following rules or standards (if not, everyone would sound litteraly the same)
    I definitely think some composers almost 100% have/would be able to break those rules, but in the end if they create a new genre, a new approach to music, this approach will have rules
    It's a never ending story

    • @TachyBunker
      @TachyBunker 2 года назад +1

      Yeah i mean most people are probably not even unique because they use the same tuning system, for example.

    • @aramvdbent
      @aramvdbent 2 года назад +2

      Just like what Herbie Hancock said: “I try to find and learn new rules just to try to break them”

  • @heartshinemusic
    @heartshinemusic 2 года назад

    Excellent video! What I really liked was seeing you play those chord progressions on the piano. I wouldn't mind seeing more of this kind of content!

  • @isaachagoel7344
    @isaachagoel7344 2 года назад +2

    As you alluded to, the word "patterns" would probably be much more accurate than the word "rules". I don't think "patterns" would get any of the pushback that the word "rules" is getting and it highlights some of the limitations/downsides as well, e.g you can get stuck in patterns in an unproductive or at least unimaginative way. As many top-tier musicians have said (in interviews) multiple times (Steven Wilson comes to mind most recently) - once you can't surprise yourself anymore you are kind of doomed, creatively speaking, and you have to switch things up (e.g pick up an instrument you are unfamiliar with, try a different genre) to make surprises possible again. Creativity is about walking the line between order (patterns) and chaos, isn't it? This is no excuse for ignorance btw, I'm 100% with you on that.

  • @StageShout
    @StageShout 2 года назад

    Nice video Nathan. Thanks for all you do for us each day! Means a lot!

  • @Nathanator
    @Nathanator 2 года назад

    Correction at 5:10, it’s actually the parallel minor, not the relative minor. Parallel scales have the same root note, but the 3rd, 6th, and 7th are flatted. Relative scales have a different root note but share the same notes with each other.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Correct - I had mentioned the correction in another comment too.

  • @macaroon147
    @macaroon147 2 года назад

    I think the point people were making is that your focus should be more on feeling than analysing when composing. Although I couldn't find the comments that you spoke of.

  • @vo-1beats42
    @vo-1beats42 2 года назад

    Hey, Nathan thanks for this video. I completely agree, after I started learning music theory my production game sky-rocketed. Musicianship is really at the heart of music production. I'm loving your new videos on musicianship. Wondering, do you think you could make some videos on how to learn the rules/music theory. I think it would be very beneficial to your audience. Thanks again! Keep on creating!

  • @ricobonimusic
    @ricobonimusic 2 года назад

    I'm part of the people you mention at 8.20, I mean I already knew the rules since I have memory...just knew them, therefore how to break them, and I have perfect ear and pitch; I only learnt how to NAME properly what I was already doing/composing, with time, but that was a natural process. I wish I had the same talent when it comes to producing, arranging, know what I really want to do and organising stuff😂(but I guess that comes with EFFORT, WILL and WORK, which is what I lack). Anyways, if one person does not have it "stock", he should definitely learn the rules as soon as he can. Because I see a lot of new producers making musical messes, instead of trying to stick to something more simple, learn theory and onlt THEN move into more complex harmonies.

  • @jefjahn247
    @jefjahn247 2 года назад

    I have a few songs where the IV falls to a iv. I also have a couple where the IV _AND_ the V fall to minors. In one instance, I have a ii that sways to a iv then falls to iv ♭5.
    Look, if I didn’t understand and respect the rules as it pertains to Jazz, I wouldn’t have the confidence to “colour outside the lines.” There are rules that must be followed if you want people to follow your music.

  • @baymax001
    @baymax001 2 года назад +2

    Music theory is essential

  • @halfbee7886
    @halfbee7886 2 года назад

    If there are no rules in music, it is just a bunch of random noises. Cats fighting on the street could make that kind of… “music” too, if that is the case, then. I believe that music is a bunch of noises that have “structures” in some capacity, or in some forms. Noises should be arranged to create contexts that are understandable. A thunder is not music, but if that thunder is arranged in a specific rhythm, heck it could probably sound like a very unique beats or percussion, layer them up with some other arranged noises, and boom! A music is born. Ofc it is a super simplification of what music is, but I think it is true. Thank you as always for making these awesome videos, Nathan! ❤

  • @lattetown
    @lattetown 2 года назад

    I agree 100%!!! Yes, some people get caught up on the meaning of the word "rule", either because they don't know any rules and are trying to "wing-it", or because they imagine rules being too restrictive and apply to only one style of music (like classical counterpoint) which don't apply to another style of music (like modern scandi-style film scoring), or a 12-bar blues scale as opposed to a different song structure like AABA. You're right, the more "guidelines" you know, the more tools you have to make interesting and original songs.
    Personally, I don't think you need to know what the exact "musical term" is, but instead what the concept behind it is-terms are just meant as a way to communicate quickly with other musicians. For example, I learned the term "relative minor" to mean a major and minor key that has the same intervals (or key signature in a written score)...so the relative minor to C-Maj is A-min. However, what Nathan talked about with a chord progression using the F-minor instead of F-Major in the C-Major chord progression is still valid...I just learned it being called a "parallel minor" of the IV chord ;). In the end, what it sounds like because of the shared notes between those keys in the progression is the important bit....and whether it leads to tension or resolution.

  • @bamby3144
    @bamby3144 2 года назад

    OKAY OKAY FINE, I'll watch all your stuff! How dare you be compelling and make me think things and make me want to learn more about music...

  • @ashleygreenaway6312
    @ashleygreenaway6312 2 года назад

    Not to toot my own horn too hard but I reckon I am one of those instinctive musicians. Probably because I’m blind but I’ve always been able to express myself musically in a more honest and fluid weigh than I do a whole lot of other things in my life.
    After decades of playing, I’m finally getting to grips with music theory with an incredible teacher. I would definitely recommend to any musicians of any level to try and develop both theory and your ear as much as technical proficiency.

  • @selliantuttimusi6735
    @selliantuttimusi6735 2 года назад

    I am confused with the terms now. At 5:22 you say the relative minor of C Major is C minor. Wasn't A minor the relative minor of C Major?

  • @musiccreation1198
    @musiccreation1198 2 года назад

    Another stellar video

  • @AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69
    @AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69 2 года назад +1

    What are the rules for arranging two parts together? Like from a verse to a chorus.

  • @garufimusicgroup4318
    @garufimusicgroup4318 2 года назад

    Great videos dude 😎👌🎹

  • @mario_k
    @mario_k 2 года назад

    6:21 ahh I see what you did there, revelation song, love those chords

  • @Daniel_Vasilyev
    @Daniel_Vasilyev 2 года назад

    Nathan, that video is a great, please make more videos on this topic, it will be very helpful !🔥🙏🏻🔝

  • @mrvron
    @mrvron 2 года назад

    Yes there are rules (Structure) that music follow.
    If that does not exist a lot of us would be hit makers

  • @ehsun_does_music
    @ehsun_does_music 2 года назад

    Thank you for sharing it really helped ♥️

  • @theotherguy7363
    @theotherguy7363 2 года назад +1

    I agree for the most part however, since learning theory it has made anything that sounded great before feel less great because I know its just a very simple chord progression - and while theory does help when making something new, it doesn't help to make something simple (and therefore sometimes nicer) because once you understand that what you are making is very simple, it makes you want to make it more complicated which isn't necessarily a good thing.
    Either way its still more useful than not knowing but I just though I'd mention this.
    keep up the good vids!

    • @justingambino2186
      @justingambino2186 2 года назад

      For this scenario I'd argue that learning when, and when not to use the tools gained by knowledge only comes from experience.

  • @tylerfields2654
    @tylerfields2654 2 года назад

    It's called theory for a reason music is art

  • @PANTECHNICONRecordings
    @PANTECHNICONRecordings 2 года назад

    Apologies if anyone has already mentioned this, but C minor is NOT the relative minor to C major, it’s the PARALLEL minor. A minor is the relative minor. Oh, and actually, that C-F#m move was super hip…

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад

      I realized that literally right after we published that I said relative... major facepalm. Good correction - it is PARALLEL not relative. Relative is A minor as you mentioned (third below the root)

  • @poplab_audio
    @poplab_audio 2 года назад +2

    Fantastic video Nathan! It always bothers me when people say "there are no rules in music". How the hell are you suppose to learn anything if there are "no rules". Great explanation of what I was already thinking about for a while🥂 Its also worth noting that the "no rules" theory is just a really really bad mindset for leaning music.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Absolutely. Like I said - if there are not rules then music is not "knowable" which is INCREDIBLY discouraging if that were true.

  • @SimonFlames
    @SimonFlames 2 года назад

    Gotta love Nathan geeking out on theory on a free youtube video 😁

  • @HenryMittnacht
    @HenryMittnacht 2 года назад

    True and wise ❤

  • @SkyrenOfficial
    @SkyrenOfficial 2 года назад +2

    1:40 that actually sounded dope.

  • @caroj_music
    @caroj_music 2 года назад

    Rule: Nathan rules 👏 If it feels right for you and your vision for this channel, it would be so great if you would make more videos on music theory! (There are other channels doing this, but you have a way of explaining even tricky concepts in such a clear way)

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Thank you! Appreciate the support so much. I feel a deep desire to make more content around this because I want producers to be able to wield the awesome power of music to create what's in their hearts. Working on the "how"

  • @rasxiel2493
    @rasxiel2493 2 года назад

    There are rules in music genre, thats what make a genre.

  • @margonaut
    @margonaut 2 года назад

    Knowing “the rules” can help one break them more effectively.

  • @justingambino2186
    @justingambino2186 2 года назад

    Hating on learning music theory is the equivalent to an author hating on the idea of learning grammar/English... Just because you learn how nouns, verbs, etc... work. doesn't mean you cant write a unique book. Its the language of music you are learning when it comes to music theory. Not rules that stunt creativity. If anything.... actually understanding theory would allow you to be more creative in the end.. You would understand how to express yourself better from it. Synergize your feelings with harmony.

  • @adeled8833
    @adeled8833 2 года назад +3

    As person who studied music theory and won regional competitions, and can read information in harmonies and sounds very well, I can say that music could be built purely on math or AI, if you put correct data into the feed

  • @tnc7004
    @tnc7004 2 года назад

    Could not agree more

  • @lisalegrand2186
    @lisalegrand2186 Год назад

    I've been checking out music from decades ago, starrting with hits from 1920.

  • @ChillyPeppersPodcast
    @ChillyPeppersPodcast 2 года назад

    I think by “rules” they mean artistic expressions.

  • @khyron2010
    @khyron2010 Год назад

    I like this video. But I think people probably need to start saying that they’re just guidelines instead of rules. Because like you said rules imply this kinda strict and rigid connotation. And I thinks that’s how it’s being presented to most people, especially in like four year universities

  • @NeZversSounds
    @NeZversSounds 2 года назад

    As you said, "In music Rule is more like a guideline"... It is a guideline, so stop using the word "rule" where it is not a rule. If it sounds bad, then it's because it didn't follow a particular guideline unless it was a guideline to sound like that.
    With all respect - There are no rules in music. Call it "self-imposed limitation" if you want to color it more strictly.

  • @rasxiel2493
    @rasxiel2493 2 года назад

    There are no rules in music and thats true... but if you want to do X or Y genre then yes you have to follow some rules. so you can play whatever chord a whatever melody, maybe wont sound good but is music...

  • @TundeEszlari
    @TundeEszlari 2 года назад +1

    You are a very good musician and videographer.😁❤

  • @AlenzoBennett
    @AlenzoBennett 7 месяцев назад

    That first chord progression was actually better than the second one. Second one sounded plain

  • @seangill2413
    @seangill2413 2 года назад

    I don’t know, that first chord progression kinda hit tbh

  • @welshhammer1733
    @welshhammer1733 2 года назад

    The only rule is does it sound good, everything after that is irrelevant.

  • @AlexSaheli
    @AlexSaheli 2 года назад

    Y, there're no rules in music as long as your are Polyphia and had elevated above that

  • @aramvdbent
    @aramvdbent 2 года назад

    I personally think that music isn’t really bound to rules, rather context.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад

      I mean... did you watch the video?

    • @aramvdbent
      @aramvdbent 2 года назад

      @@NathanJamesLarsen I did 🤨

    • @musiclore
      @musiclore 2 года назад

      Context… like scales, harmonic relationships…? That’s the same thing as “rules”

    • @aramvdbent
      @aramvdbent 2 года назад

      @@musiclore I know.. What I’m saying is literally just that I prefer ‘context’ over ‘rules’ because it’s really just the context a certain chord or note is used in that makes it sound the way it does. Bit silly telling me that it’s “still rules” since I said that it’s just my personal view on it.

  • @zian3694
    @zian3694 2 года назад

    In horror movies , for the bgm, you need those kind of chords that doesn't sound good, in some movies , they even play the whole keyboard together just to sound horrible, the point is- the chord progression you played- that you think didn't sound good at all, will sound good at a certain situation.... :) :) nahan, I am only a dedicated producer and not a youtuber like you, and never want to be the 'jack of all trade better in nothing type guy' . If I were a youtuber I will prove you, there are NO RULES in music.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад

      I mean I literally said that in the video LOL. I specifically said that if what you were going for was THAT sound then you could do it- but it actually would still be following musical guidelines... I can't exactly get into extremely advanced or complex theory in a 10 minute video. But trust me, I could easily articulate WHY that progression sounded the way it did and explain it...

    • @zian3694
      @zian3694 2 года назад

      @@NathanJamesLarsen yeah, here, you are right, you can figure out what could get wrong. Rules are good for troubleshooting but bad when you make music on certain rules, Those rules, sometimes stop you from thinking out of the box. I have seen so many young producers never care about rules, and they are successful, more than me and more than you. because if we people were successful, I wouldn't have time to comment your video and you for replying.

  • @valterskruzkops5138
    @valterskruzkops5138 2 года назад

    Listen to Opeth.

  • @jacobl7451
    @jacobl7451 Год назад

    what people really mean: “im too lazy to learn and apply principles”

  • @bradleyhagen4564
    @bradleyhagen4564 2 года назад

    I can write a great song based on the “wrong progression”…… no rules!!!!!

  • @JohnBrown-ig5nc
    @JohnBrown-ig5nc 2 года назад

    So essentially, theory is the why and how of why things work the way they do musically?

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Correct - a lot of people theory as this odd mathematical thing when really theory is just "how does music actually work?"

    • @JohnBrown-ig5nc
      @JohnBrown-ig5nc 2 года назад

      @@NathanJamesLarsen after watching your video, it made me realize that there are some things that will never sound good together in regards to arrangement, chord progression and such no matter how hard you try. It's just the way it is

  • @raghavraj1049
    @raghavraj1049 2 года назад

    Bro let us know the basic chord progressions that commonly producers use to create music.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Pick a key like C major and begin experimenting just with chords in that key (all the white notes) and try re-ordering the chords in progressions and pay attention to how that changes the sound.
      Examples:
      C-F-Am-G
      C-Am-G-F
      C-F-G-Am
      F-C-G-Am
      etc. etc.

  • @seniormute2364
    @seniormute2364 2 года назад

    TBH i see Music theory more like a guide for better Music, not rules tho.

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад

      That's pretty much exactly what I said in the video.

  • @murqri
    @murqri 2 года назад

    okay 👍🏼 but now what are all the rules?

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      Definitely would take more than a 10 minute video to go thru. I am working out how to make content around this to help you out.

    • @murqri
      @murqri 2 года назад

      @@NathanJamesLarsen ayyy, I thought the comment would maybe inspire you to do a video on that... or multiple, so that's cool to hear! :D
      (idk if there is a list of rules, if you could count the rules, im new to music theory, but maybe a longer overview/introduction video would be cool followed by a series of videos targeted at each rule)

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад +1

      @@murqri To be honest, this is something that may require a whole separate channel LOL

  • @donrikx
    @donrikx 2 года назад

    EARLY GANG

  • @Harbaksh1234
    @Harbaksh1234 2 года назад

    I know what you're getting at, but your explanation is a bit disjointed ..
    Those first few chords you played, sound absolutely fine, familiar and inspiring.
    Perhaps you should've just talked about the pop form first and then explained what music sounds like without it?
    Just my opinion ..
    Health and success to you, bro.

  • @MreenalMams
    @MreenalMams 2 года назад

    I feel a little offended so I'm gonna rant a little.. There are guidelines yes.. They aren't rules.. that's why they are 2 different words.. Also this mentality it is narrowing down music to a very tiny spectrum.. the fact that you said the chord progression would work in a cinematic context but not in modern pop, proves that you are only thinking in a certain genre.. its also ignoring the music from outside a european based music culture.. also this whole idea of 'good' and 'bad' in music is absurd.. its completely ignoring the whole genre of avant-garde/harsh noise and lots of other music that aren't meant to be 'pleasing to the ears'.. i love studying and encouraging the study of music theory.. but i don't think they are rules.. they are, as you said guidelines, or studies of how certain cultures do certain things, they are ideas that we can try to make music sound and feel a certain way or certain style..

  • @zian3694
    @zian3694 2 года назад

    you made a fu** whole video on my comment - there are no rules in music , hahahaha

    • @NathanJamesLarsen
      @NathanJamesLarsen  2 года назад

      Haha! You weren't the only one ;) but one of em

    • @zian3694
      @zian3694 2 года назад

      @@NathanJamesLarsen I was the first to comment and you replied me too. my comment was on top, like always.

  • @Tmcd9244
    @Tmcd9244 5 месяцев назад

    Just saying that you can be a great musician and still be bland af.