Anyone want to make a track in 35 days?
Collaborative Space
Week 1 - planning:
Part 1 (Days 1 to 3): Focus on what you want the track to be, e.g.:
- Do you have a specific genre (or blend of 2 or more different genres) that you want to create?
- What’s purpose of the track; e.g. something to dance to, singalong to or exercise to?
- What sort of mood do you want the track to create or have?
- Who is the target audience?
- Where do you see people listening to the track?
- Think of 3 words you’d like someone to use to describe it
Use the above points as idea starters and make as many notes/thoughts as you can about what you would like your track to be.
Find at least 3, but preferably 5 or 6, reference tracks that are similar to the type of track you want to make.
Pick one of your reference tracks to use as an arrangement template – you don’t have to create an exact match if don’t want to and you can use sections from the other reference tracks if you want. The idea is that you have a structure to start working with.
Part 2 (Days 4 to 7): Layout your parts
Ideally, you should import your arrangement reference track into your DAW and breakdown the track there. If you don’t want to make a straight copy of the arrangement, then create something from scratch based on different elements from your reference tracks.
Lay it out into the different sections e.g. intro/build up/first drop/4 bar break/main drop/breakdown/etc.
Describe each section with a label that makes sense for you.
Analyse the track(s) and create a list of each track element – do this on paper or create dummy tracks in your DAW. E.g. Kick drum/snare/clap (or just drums/percussion) / bassline / pluck arp / piano / pad / strings / etc.
Look up the deconstructed section of the Attack Magazine website for examples where they have done this.
Also list out elements such as fills and transitions – take as much or as little detail from the reference track that suits you.
For each track element write down ideas for what you might want to use in your track: this can be new ideas, elements from other tracks you’ve made, Loopcloud samples or straight copies of elements from one or more of your reference tracks.
At the end of week 1, you should have;
1. A clear idea of what kind of track you’re going to make
2. An arrangement map to work with
3. A list of all the track elements that you’re going to create
It might seem like a long time, taking a whole week before you actually make any music, but that’s the whole point – do as much thinking and planning for your track as you can before you get started – it will make the next stages so much easier and quicker.
Can't wait to hear it