Making Movie Music - THE SECRET (only use the white notes)
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- We show that by only using the white notes of the keyboard you open yourself up to the magical world of scoring for Movies, TV, Computer games. Using our FREE sample libraries anyone can have a go!
DOWNLOAD THE "MODES" BLAG-SHEET WALL-ART FOR FREE HERE: thecrowhillcompany.com/hub
Download the freebie libraries used in this video here: thecrowhillcompany.com/vaults...
And check out the very special "Magic String Machine" aka String Murmurations library here: thecrowhillcompany.com/string...
Please correct Henson in the comments down below and tell us if you have any mnenomics that help you remember the character traits or "flavour profiles" of the 7 modes?
#freesampleplugins #scoringformovies #composer #musicproduction #freevstplugins #vst #vstplugin #producer #producing #learnmusic
00:00 - Introduction
06:26 - C: Cheese (Ionian)
07:45 - D: Does Everything (Dorian)
10:48 - E: Exotic (Phrygian)
11:58 - F: Forever Hollywood (Lydian)
14:54 - G: Good For Romcoms (Myxolydian)
16:04 - A: Always Sad (Aeolian)
17:02 - B: Broken (Locrian) 
Видеоклипы
Incredible. I want someone to make a period table based on these mode descriptions - I would print that out as a poster and hang in my studio
Your wish is my command thecrowhillcompany.com/hub/ all are welcome to download, save, print, hide in a drawer or stick up on your wall!
@@TheCrowHillCoamazing! Thanks. ✊🏼
@@TheCrowHillCo Brill!
@@TheCrowHillCo Woohoo, this is uh-may-zing, thank you!
@@TheCrowHillCo Thanks so much….very timely…I’m on a quest to discover new ways of understanding some aspects of music theory and approaches to composing on the piano.👏👏🙏🙏🏿👍
I feel like you are the Robin Hood of music- taking music OUT the ivory tower and giving us ALL the gift of music making
This was like being invited in from the cold and given a big earthenware mug of hot, hearty soup when you're frozen to the marrow. Thank you, Christian Henson. You are among my very favourite virtual mentors.
Oh mate thanks... plenty of these during these forthcoming frosty months
I am 69yrs old I started my music creation journey off the back of your videos just prior to the pandemic when I started my own RUclips channel.. I played guitar and moved to keyboard..no music training except what I learned from videos. All I can say is thank you Christian you and your team are doing a wonderful job.. thank you for vaults and helping this old pensioner create some music😊💖
I'll pass that on to the team, thanks for commenting!
you and me both dude!
I really like the graphics (the musical content is impeccable too :) )
Of all the Crow Hill vids, or in fact those from any of the composers I follow here on youtube (you, Guy, Spitfire, etc.), this is the one vid I'm returning to when I'm stuck. Thank you so very much, Mr. Henson, for taking the time to explain this so very well.
Been studying different instruments for 17 years now. You're the first person who managed to explain modes to me in a super clear and practical way. I'm in awe.
I lost touch with your activities over the last 6 months due to a major job change and I’m absolutely delighted to have rediscovered you on the new channel…Christian, you ooze such genuine interest, joy, enthusiasm and inspiration …you remind me of when Steve Jobs was ejected from Apple, founded NeXt after which he exploded with new ideas and creativity and then of course the rest is history…Crow Hilltastic…!!!
Up the crows!
This is impressive, how clear and inspirational this approach is, it doesn't fight theory and instead it simplifies it at a level that's understandable to everyone. You are a marvelous teacher Chris.
I got sent for piano lessions as a kid, but I hated playing the music I was given to practise. As soon as I was old enough I gave it up. Then I saw a synth and it ignited a passion that was perhaps more a gadget freak passion at the time- and, as I couldn't afford either a Jupiter 8 or even a Roland SH101, I ended up buying a Jen SX1000 and that began a journey of writing music. I now wish I'd stuck at the piano lessons as I'm really barely able to string notes together and certainly would never sit in front of anyone and play. But it was just enough to compose and that journey has I think saved my soul. Edit - awesome video btw
Thanks so much for taking time to qwrite this
Beautifully explained, to the point where even this auld duffer managed to cotton on - a world first.
This old duffer had huge doubts daring to make this vid!
This is a very clever way to encourage to experiment without complicating things. Intuition before theoretical knowledge. Heart over brain. By far the best explanation of the moods I have come across. You are so ahead of your time, Christian.
Indeed, I prefer understanding to simply learning.
I still remember when I was first introduced to this concept years ago. I started to plateau musically, and needed a new perspective. Modes opened my mind and reignited my love for music.
Yeah... saves bloody modulating!
Spot on! I finally quit thinking "theory" etc. years ago and adopted two dictums: "There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind." - Ellington...and Ray Charles' challenge: "What does it sound like?"
"How does it make you feel" is an under asked question IMHO.
According to Wikipedia, Irving Berlin only ever played the Black keys and always wrote in F#. That's also what I'd always heard. The way I remember basic modes are remembering where the two half-steps in each mode are. It doesn't hurt to remember that only the 1st, 4th and 5th modes (lydian and mixolydian) have a major feel. Those numbers correspond to primary chords too.
I really should do my research before doing these and relying on something I read once on a bus!
@@TheCrowHillCo Don't feel bad. I've done it myself in some of my videos and teaching my piano students.
@@TheCrowHillCoThe overall idea remains the same. That’s what matters.
There is a practical advantage to playing (mostly) on the black keys: It's harder to hit the wrong note or two keys at the same time. As I recall, one of Berlin's pianos is in the Smithsonian. A nice feature of equal temperament is that you can transpose simply by physically shifting the the relative positions of the strings and the hammer assembly.
Facts! As a keyboard enthusiast. I’ve played along to tv and movies as I watch them, and a lot of the times, the white notes work.
Excellent video! I will definitely show this to my students. Also, bonus, lappy escape at 2:01 🤣
That annoyed me thoroughly when editing it!
I know scales and chords fairly well, but I have never heard modes explained so clearly and simply, demonstrating why they create such different moods. Thank you Christian!
this must be one of the best explanations ever....
Oh my thanks.
My god, what a fantastic teacher you are. It's time for me to dust off my midi keyboard. I hope I won't give up this time.
I have always liked your music Christian, now i understand the soul behind the creation.
I am a frustrated musician that hears the sounds/melodies in my head but cannot get my fingers to recreate it in the real world.
Wow. You made me realise so much I was missing in order to start play music, my music.. Thanks.
Christian... this video is INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT!! Thank you for framing modes as you have here!!! It makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE than the average 'mode' of teaching them... giving them a name that describes their function as opposed to giving them some meaningless Greek god name. BRILLIANT!!! More content like this... PLEASE!!! Time for me to spring for String Murmurations! It's in my budget soon enough!!
Yeah, at least give us names we can spell (ahem)
@@TheCrowHillCo ... and you did!! WooHoo!!
I really hope there are expansions for Murmerations for more instruments, styles and articulations.
This might be the best explanation of modes in that it describes how to use them.
Aw thanks, I was v nervous about this one.
one of my favorite things about this is laying down some basics for a compelling soundtrack with only the three vsts! having a fullness of sound is important but you dont need to overproduce a good idea and this demonstrates that well.
Thanks mate, this was a huge "Ahhhhhhh, wow!" moment for me. I've never bothered with modes all these years because they sounded too complicated.
This is like having the scales (too soon?) lifted from my eyes. I've been blinded by major cheese writing and ignoring modes. Switch now flipped - brilliant description in this video.
Yeah it can really open stuff up.
Best explanation ever, as a guitar player who now focuses on writing cinematic music. it’s great, thank you 🎉
Hurrah, what a relief!
Oh FFS, thank you Christian! I learned these modes on my own decades ago on guitar (thank you guitar player mag) but never really understood what was different about them, They were all the same notes! Sure you started them in a different part of the sequence, but... Now I see that what was missing was the relationship between the notes and the root! The reordering of the sequence of seconds and thirds - major and minor keys. Sometimes you just need someone to clue you in to the most elemental knowledge. It's like painting with just blue, yellow and red and finding out years later that you always had green, orange and purple - you just mix the colors!
brilliant tutorial. I started making music at 60 in 2019 without any theoretical knowledge and did my first theater music score 2 years late, in 2023 my first short movie score...
Such great news,. congratulations.
To Christian's point, I've been writing for a few years now and ended up learning a whole bunch from this. Thank you, sir.
Absolute pleasure!
We're driving home from a road trip today. I'm going to pass my ten-year-old the video and ask her to work her way through the modes on her iPad on the way home. We'll see how it goes. 🤞
I got through about a quarter of the video and had to hit pause - not because it was lame; it was the total opposite. The video was seriously awesome and super inspiring. It's the kind of thing I'll bookmark and send to friends and family who keep saying they want to get into making music but won't take lessons from me [I mean, come on, right? LOL!]. No, what really made me stop was your new plugin, "String Murmurations." It's just so dang beautiful, and here I am, tight on cash, trying to resist the urge to splurge on another plugin. I swear, my mouse cursor practically danced over the "Add to Cart" button, and it took all my willpower not to click it. Such a cool plugin guys!!!!
Anyway, thank you for the VAULTS stuff. The piano itself has become my go to piano. You can tell there is so much passion and genius behind the work yall are doing. Just know, you've got a fan, maybe even an evangelist here. All the best!!
Your best video yet, in my humble opinion. I can't keep those Greekish names straight, but your mnemonics and flavour profiles - THOSE stick for me - Thank you!
Oh man thanks so much, I had doubts about this one!
I like what you said at the beginning about desire to create, versus ability. I’m not a great piano or guitar player but I’ve managed to get some albums out there over the years. If I can, you can. Your lesson on modes it’s absolutely what beginners need to know. Just sit there and play, you’ll find something you like, I guarantee it.
I totally agree!
What a fantastic, easy and practical explanation of modes. Thank you!
So relieved it made any sense!
Wow.
Best explanation of modes I have ever had. Really resonates with me as I am self taught.
Thanks so much.
I kinda wanna try writing something in locrian now.
Locrian is kind of interesting but there is no tonic or root, so you can never resolve, so its weird.
Stunning video Christian. No disrespect to Rick Beato, who mentions these modes often, but this description is just pure gold and supercedes anything I’ve ever learned from his videos.
Aww shucks thanks... I love Rick too.
This video explained so much for my composition that I haven't learned from playing piano conventionally for over 20+ years. Top quality Christian, great to see these videos coming out with fantastic content and FREE! vaults.
Thanks soooo much, feel like a total imposter doing these!
This is amongst the best explanations of modes. Or perhaps it IS the best, no need for complicated blabbering, brilliantly done
This make so much sense to me - I think I always did it instinctively, cause I can't read music, have dyslexia and can't understand very well the black notes. Thank you for this video.
That. frankly. was the best explanation of modes. Thank you
Best illustration / demonstration of the modes I have seen so far. Great video.
I havn't notice how good your free instruments sounds until. I will probably start using them more. 👍
Please do!
This is great, i think i will be sending people the link to this in 20 years, i couldn't imagine a better introduction for a layman, not just about making atmospheric, instrumental music, but it really taps into the essence of music for music's sake, following your inner muse wherever it leads you...... i know he's got a plugin to flog but Christian has done a very good thing here making such an accessible 'way in' for people of any musical background, even none, this video says to everyone "you can probably do this... all of you..." Thank you Man
You should really have millions of subscribers.
I can only give the opinion of a mediocre, play-mostly-by-ear violinist, but this kind of explanation has the potential to revolutionize the teaching of music. Traditional music theory is still of great value, but this introduction makes so much more sense, and is so much more artistically satisfying than starting with the technicalities of scales. It makes a much better case for the "why" of music. Your love of music is infectious and the way you explain things makes so much sense to my brain. I work in marketing, and so your way of putting complicated concepts into terms that anyone can understand is inspiring. As good of a musician as you are, what really has me hooked is your giftedness at communication. Thank you.
This is an excellent explanation of modes, something that despite trying to get my head around, I’ve always found them tricky to understand. Thanks very much Christian!
Christian, I can’t begin to tell you how amazing this video is. I’m a guitarist, and even though I understand the theory behind the modes, they have always been too esoteric to stick in my little brain.
In 20 mins you’ve explained them so well, it’s like a veil’s been lifted that covered a lightbulb, inside a cave that is now wired to the grid.
Absolutely essential viewing for every musician.
I’m sending it to everyone I know.
Thank you so much.
This is the best video I've seen on RUclips in a long while. No doubt it comes from Christian Henson, a man from whom I've learned so much. All for free. Thank you, sir.
This is the best explanation of modes I’ve ever come across. Thanks very much, this is so accessible!
Wow. This is such a powerful opening and reflects where I am at with guitar and reinventing my approach
Thanks for this... I am thinking about ditching all my samples... starting again... hmmmm, don't know if I'm brave enough.
Thank you, Christian.
As someone self taught who knows nothing about these modes - but kinda gravitates towards these various feelings, this is the only compelling explanation I've ever seen.
Saved to my training playlist :)
💯
so glad it was worth m,aking!
This is the simplest yet most comprehensible and genius way of describing the modes.
the best Music Theory explanation ever!
This is fantastic. Thank you! You should write a book on this. So well explained.
The White Keys are my best friend. Learning that C major and A Natural Minor were the same notes was my "light-bulb" moment." Once I got it, it was much easier to transpose ideas I had on guitar to keyboards, as long as I played in the A minor scale. Or D Dorian. Or E Phriygian. SAME NOTES!! Just a different starting point.
Wow. Best music theory lesson I've ever had - and so perfect for me at my stage of my musical journey. For many years I've made videos (mostly non-professionally) and been a wannabe guitarist/musician. Then I got an 88 key keyboard and started to put more time into guitar - with the goal of being able to make my own music for my movies. This lesson helps me finally understand modes sooo much more clearly! Thank you very very much.
Thanks Gary, I was nervous about this as I am in no fit state to be a teacher but am so glad you found it useful!
I can appreciate music with complexity and I can be amazed by the craftsmanship of someone who obviously speaks the language of music fluently. But I'm always most affected by simple compositions with a spare amount of chords and notes.
Thanks for the "weird greek god names", that made my day. Finally somebody good at music that understood that the majority of us doesn't care whether something is a "diminished 7th phrygian over F sharp" or whatever. We just want to play what sounds good, not turn everything into a maths problem.
you remind me of David Attenborough commenting on music..... classic..... thank you for these videos there helping me on my journey
You are the morgan freeman of cinematic music
Oh man, as someone who never really had lessons this would have been super useful! I've only relatively recently gotten into this description of modes--for the longest time it was always the major/minor scales and the weird "exceptions" I picked up from playing pieces I had learned/memorized.
On a side note: on the piano I always had a hard time understanding different scales and why they were shaped? that way on the piano. It wasn't until I learned guitar and played around with the capo that I realized that scales are all the same relationships just shifted at the root. Easy to see when you're playing with the capo on the guitar. From there went back to piano and wrapped my head around the keyboard and all of its scales.
Really interesting exploration of the modes - thanks Christian!
Thanks Joe, appreciate you writing a comment.
The keyboard orders the notes by semitones which does not help the player understand why the modes sound the way they do.
To understand why the modes sound the way they do we need to order the notes in series of fifths order rather than in semitone or pitch order.
For the white notes in pitch order we get this series C D E F G A B, (do re mi fa so la ti)
In series of fifths order we get F C G D A E B, (fa DO so RE la MI ti)
The note that we pick from the series of fifths line to be the tonic instantly tells us the nature of the mode. If we pick a note all the notes to the right of it in the series of fifths will sound "major" (happy) and all the notes to the left of it in the series of fifths will sound "minor" (sad).
For example if we pick "D" to be the main note then A and E and B will sound "major" with D while F and C and G will sound "minor" with D, but unless we look at the series of fifths order we will not be able to predict the mood of each individual note of the mode, even though we will feel it.
this means the modes starting on F and C and G sound mostly major while the modes starting on B and E and A sound mostly minor while the mode starting on D is the only mode balanced between both major and minor, hence its extra usefulness which even Plato recognized.
Yet another superb video from you Christian, and Crow Hill - thank you. I *think* John Williams' opening theme for Jaws 2 dabbles nicely in Locrian before moving on.
Thanks. Perfect for S4 music students who are struggling with composition for their Nat5.
Brilliant video, Christian. I think for the first time in my life I'm starting to understand the modes. There are some lovely sounds hidden away in them.
Thanks mate! I don't think I'll vere understand the Locrian mode!
Hey Christian, I want to say that the success you have is because of your openness and your will to share not only your final product but the process with the world.
Thanks so much... I've turned over-sharing from a blight in my life to a light!
This is a great explanation on using the white keys in ways that I've been trying to figure out for awhile now. I've never really thought about using some of those modes the way that you just easily explained. Thank you, Christian!
Simply brilliant use of modal construction, so for me some respite from trying to conquer writing in B minor 👏👏🎶
I have a really good solution for that too! (transpose -1) 😉
Thank God for Prince, Flavour Flav and Leo Fender amongst many….musical souls
Thank you so much for this, as somebody who makes music but knows no music theory whatsoever this is very reassuring!
Nice. I have String Murmurations on the wish list for 2024. :)
I'm having a lot of fun with it!
I bet! I'll be on the look out for contests to win a copy. 😂 @@TheCrowHillCo
A very inspiring and inciteful lesson. Thanks Christian!
Dude, this is the video so many of us needed. Great work!
So glad mate thanks dude!
Being Greek, it sounded funny to me that you used the term "weird Greek-God name" for the words Dorian/Ionian/etc .... they are actually pointing to "places of origin" and not gods, but i will not go into explaining them, because it will all sound Greek to you! Great video, thank you, i am very glad to see you "back in business" and i LOVE Vaults!
Great to see you back. Terrific tutorial. Thanks, Christian.
Wonderfully explained Christian! The delivery and pacing was really digestible. Looking forward to more!
This is genius, you're a great teacher!
If you knew me better you'd know what a funny idea that is!
This presentation has been excellent. So simple and sincere, thank you for taking the time to make it. Ive been really enjoying the vaults, theyve given me so much inspiration. Thank you
Christian, what an inspiring video. I totally agree and the message is a beautiful one. Feeling above all else.
Thanks for commenting, really apprecxiate it!
I've never been able to understand modes as my brain can't move from thinking about what intervals are involved from a theory perspective. This, my friend, is absolute gold dust!
I hope both yourself and TCHC has a magnificent 2024.
Make sure you download the blagsheet! thecrowhillcompany.com/hub/
This may be the most actionable theory lessons I've seen. It's immediately approachable and makes so much sense with he display, description and your practical application of the modes. Thank you Christian!
My biggest challenge is using reverb in a pleasing and complimentary way. I'd love to know how you use it in your productions.
Well said Christian! You've inspired me, and I'm sure hundreds of others. I love that you still create music that you want, and not what others want.
Such a lovely message thanks
Excellent video Christian with lots of good info for people at all levels.
murmurations is bonkersly good
This is actually brilliant in every way, I can't play on keyboard at the moment but I think now I've got a chance to put my keys through my behringer system 100😊
Nice sharing. Many success for your "projects" in 2024.
Thanks Ben!
With my limited grasp of theory, I have just had the spark of encouragement I needed. You have presented music in such a wonderfully human way in this 20-minute piece that I now have a better feel for using Murmurations. Lastly, your naming of the modes is so right on, and much easier for me to absorb. Wherever you go from here, I'll be eager to listen, as I have for years when you were at Spitfire. I'm glad you have moved into this new venture.😀
Really appreciate the comment Craig
I’ve been professional musician for a long time and back in the day modes are what unlocked it all for me. Particularly as a creative: they are the colors to paint with hidden right there in Do Re Mi. This was a great breakdown. Always remember that theory is just names and numbers attributed to sound. It’s in everything that’s ever been written but the writer wasn’t necessarily thinking about theory when they wrote it. If it sounds good it is, theory just helps us understand why it sounds good and how to replicate it again :)
@@mrnelsonius5631 Thank you for that! I really get the part about the writer not necessarily thinking about theory when they wrote it. They probably didn't.
I just watched this for a second time after a few days of allowing the contents to ‘simmer’ in my subconscious. This is one of your best videos overall in content coupled with your own unique style of delivery. Kudos to you, Christian!
Stunning presentation. I like the idea of Irving Berlin shifting the entire register of the piano with a lever. Easy to do with a midi pitch plugin these days. Want D major? Set the plugin to +2 semitones and dance fearlessly around the white keys with middle C remaining your home 😊
Can you imagine how a device like that would work its about a ton of pressure he was messin' around with!
Great way to present this. Love it!
Thanks mate!
I love when music gets broken down like this.
Well with Locrian you don't get more broken down than that!
Such a great video / tutorial!
I’ve done some scores but typically I’ve focused on melody and then thought in scales. Now I’m realizing the power of thinking / planning in modes. So helpful! Thank you.
The code has been cracked! +100 skill!
Hurrah!
This is great! I love the flavour profile bit... like coffee
BRILLIANT!
I love the message here. I fit squarely in the category of being almost musically inarticulate but still love writing and playing my own music/songs. I agree, it is one of the most amazing things to simply create and not worry about turning it into a science or a sport. I think we have semi-wrecked music by glorifying professionalism as if that is the ideal form. Music is like talking - we all talk, we all have a voice, and we all have the urge to give voice to the thoughts inside us. I think you write music with your EARS (after having listened to and thought about music for so long). I think the prohibitive ideal that discourages people from making music is based on the idea that the listener has the right to demand perfection. Imagine if people only would listen to someone talk if they said and wrote every word perfectly. Instead, we should expect the listener to bring their own imagination, to meet us half way, and to listen for the idea buried inside the imperfect expression that we have made. When I hear of people talking about how they nursed songs for years before recording I think: but you had almost everything on day one. Think of all the other songs you could have written, but instead you reworked this 1000 times because you feared it had to be perfect. Is that really what we should be aiming for all the time? Maybe sometimes we do. But it comes at a huge cost - the biggest of which is that the raw initial creative moment is often the BEST MOMENT, so meticulously perfecting songs robs us of more chances to do that.
Brilliant! Your perspective and explanation is so refreshing and easy to understand.
Not only have you given us incredible plugins, you are a fantastic teacher! Thanks so much for your hard work mate. I have played piano for 30 years, and the way you have put these various modes is the best I have heard.
Thanks Rich.... phew! Felt the biggest imposter on this video more than any other!