Introduction to Basic Music Theory

"A thorough knowledge of music theory is what makes the greats great." While this may not completely apply to trance since an in-depth knowledge of production techniques is just as important, general music theory can be learned in a relatively small amount of time, whereas production can never truly be mastered. In this TranceProduction.com article, we’ll go over the basic elements of the music theory important to a trance producer. Starting with the notes on a piano roll and ending with the difference between sharp and flat.

Notes On Your Piano Roll

On your average sequencer’s piano roll, on your left you will see notes in a piano-like order. As you can see below, the white keys go in the order of A, B, C, D, E, F, G and then the sequence repeats (the black keys are sharps and flats - we will go into this later). An easy way to remember the keys is to remember where A is, and the rest follow in logical order.

Whole Steps and Half Steps

A whole step is two steps up or down the piano including the black keys.  Whereas a half step, is only one step up or down the piano including the black keys (this is important with scales).  So, A-B would be considered to be a whole step since you go from A to A# to B (two steps).  Just like A#-C would be a whole step since you go from A# to B to C.  An example of a half step would be from B-C. Since there are no black keys between B and C, it is only one step. A half step is the same as a semi-note (which is often seen on synthesizers).

As you just learned, the keys on a piano roll go from A-G and then repeat. A single octave spans, for example, from one A to the next A (as highlighted below).  To move your sequenced notes up or down an octave, simply move every note 12 steps.  As demonstrated in this octave demo, often, notes in a melody, pad, or bass will be layered in octaves to give it more noticeable highs or bass.  Notice how the notes don't seem to change, they only get more bass and the highs are more noticeable.  To obtain the final effect, I layered a middle, upper, and lower octave.

The Difference BetweenSharp (#) and Flat (b)

Any of the black keys can be either a sharp of a flat. For example, look at the note F.  There is a black key right above it.  This black key can be either F# or Gb.  It will be an F# if you move up one step from F, or it can be a Gb if you move down one step from G.  However, not only the black keys can be a sharp of flat key.  If you look at C, for example, right below it is B.  B can be thought of as Cb.  An easy way to remember this is, sharp is up while flat is down.

Hopefully now, you have a better understanding of the very basic elements of music theory.  For more information, check out the Intermediate and Advanced "Music Theory for the Trance Producer" articles which will be released soon.  Other resources: http://www.musictheory.net & http://www.completechords.com

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