Just wondering what I am doing wrong.

[thatguyzeke]

http://soundcloud.com/thatguyzeke/chord-prog

So I'm learning chord progression and keys and everything I ca about harmony, but i still have a hard time wrapping my head around it.
I can copy what they tell me to do but that only gets me so far. When I work away from that it just doesn't seem right, so any advice?
I know it isn't a huge clip, but it's a small example of what I've been trying so I can apply what I learn a bit myself.

[Kromium]

Simple just practice, practice, practice. Some theory may be involved but I consider theory as guidelines not rules because music is subjective to the listener. If you stick with making music then you shall eventually be better. As for your question I don't think that you can do anything "wrong" in music except mash all the keys and put no effort into the song/track but you should start with learning the basics of scales and intervals. You can learn the basics of theory from the "Dance Music Manual 2nd edition" by Rick Snoman (can get the PDF from "google" or buy it like I did) Read Chapter 10 of the book from pages 201-231 at the end of the chapter it lists a bunch of popular chord progressions.
C –Eb–G–A
C –Eb–G–D
C –Eb–G–Bb–F
C –Eb–G–Bb–D
C –Eb–G–Bb–D–F–A
C –Eb–G–B–D
C –Eb–F#–Bb–D
C –Eb–F#
C –Eb–F#–A–B
C –E–G#–B
C –E–G–B
C –E–G#
C –F–G–Bb–C#–A
C –F–G
C –F–G–Bb–D
C –E–G–B–D
C –E–G–B–D–F#
C –E–F#–Bb
C –E–G#–Bb
C –E–G–Bb–C
C –E–F#–Bb–C#
C –E–G#–Bb–C#
C –E–G–Bb–D–F#
C –E–G–Bb–Eb–F#
C –E–G–Bb–C#–A
C –E–G–A
C –E–G–D
C –E–G–Bb–D
C –Eb–G–A–D
C –Eb–G–Bb
C –Eb–G–Bb–A
C –Eb–G–Bb–D–F
C –Eb–G–B
C –Eb–F#–Bb
C –Eb–F#–Bb–D–F
C –Eb–F#–A
C –E–F#–B
C –E–G–B–F#
C –E–G–B–A
C –F–G–Bb–C#
C –F–F#–B
C –F–G–Bb
C –F–G–Bb–D–A
C –E–G–B–D–A
C –E–G–B–D–F#–A
C –E–F#–Bb–D
C –E–G#–Bb–D
C –E–G–Bb–Eb
C –E–Ab–Bb–Eb
C –E–G–Bb–F#
C –E–G–Bb–C#–F#
C –E–F#–Bb–D–A
C –E–G–Bb–D–F#–A
C –E–G–D–A
C –E–G–Bb
C –E–G–Bb–D–A
And watch some videos of chord progressions on youtube... theres like a ton!

[CommandSpry]

I think the most fun thing to do with music in general is to figure out your own unique chord progressions. It may turn out to be just another popular one but you can say you came up with it, and that's a nice feeling (:

[Kromium]

+1 for commandspry... making music isn't all about technique, enjoy what you make and have fun. I may sound like a broken record but consider theory as guidelines for making music... it shoudn't run your entire career.

[Kromium]

also if get a cheap keyboard (casio, whatever) and hook it up using a midi to usb adapter. If you can get your hands on some better keyboards like m-audio or novation then go ahead and use them... Keyboards and external hardware tend to conduct creativity far better than a mouse... IMO

[Trillionage]

Would a cheap chinese knock off one work?

[Kromium]

if it has a midi out/usb out to connect to your computer then you should be able to use it. If you have the brand/specs of the keyboard then I might be able to help you out.

[Trillionage]

I don't have it yet, but i can find one super cheap in nyc or online. I kinda need a midi controller.

[Kromium]

You can pick off really good cheapie ones off craigslist its what i did for almost all my gear, just make sure that it works before hand. Got my axiom 61 gen 2 (400 off amazon) for 200 on craigslist mint, so just keep your eyes peeled for good deals. I think that the oxygen 49 has enough knobs and buttons to last throughout your career, built thoroughly and doesn't take up too much room u should be able to pick it up for 75 bucks off craigslist, if you need cheaper controllers then look for the oxygen 8... i found one for 25ish bucks off craigslist. All these controllers should technically work with your Digital Audio Workstation. Oh and I would generally recommend that you get something above 49 keys primary because switching octaves is really, really annoying and slows you down somewhat.

[Kromium]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/msg/2975783466.html here's a link if you live around the seattle area, iv'e seen these controllers go down to 55-65 dollars and they are a really good deal, (beware tho iv'e heard that m-audio support rep is terrible, but they build their keyboards pretty good.

[Trillionage]

Right now anything would work for me. I just found on the NYC craiglist a 24 key nanokorg for 20 bucks. I would probably get even better if i keep looking around. Thanks for reminding me of Craigslist. I forget how useful it can be sometimes.

[Kromium]

Your welcome . If you have any more questions feel free to skype me (leeyoungmins).