Learn to hear how the Dorian Mode can add brightness to a minor song

So let’s add the Dorian Mode to your aural tool-box!

Reminder: A mode is derived by taking the notes of a scale and changing which note in the scale is used as the root note. You don’t need to know much theory to learn from this article, but if you want to check the theory background, there’s a great lesson available from Gary Ewer’s Easy Music Theory (which specifically introduces the Dorian):

• Music Theory Lesson on Modes

To summarize: the Dorian is a mode of the major scale that is formed by using the same notes as the major scale, but using the second note as the root. This creates a group of notes nearly identical to the natural minor scale, except that the minor sixth note is sharpened to the major sixth. This creates a brighter spot in Dorian when that note is played.

The examples below consist of the minor scale and the Dorian mode for comparison:

The Natural Minor Scale (click to enlarge)

The Dorian Mode (click to enlarge)

Click to read the rest…

Before you rocked on your first guitar, jammed with your high school garage band, or sang your first tune, you had a passion for music. Whether you heard “Rockabye Baby”, “Esta Niña Linda,” or “Fais Dodo Colas, Mon Petit Frère”, your tiny ears enjoyed each sweet lullaby sung to you.

What special characteristics make lullabies special? Do lullabies scientifically soothe a stressed soul?

Most moms would agree that Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” does not qualify as a true lullaby. Lullabies typically have a calming effect, simple rhythms, appropriate lyrics, and repetitive melodies, no matter the country of origin[1]. You might want to sing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” to your little bambino, but studies have shown that infants prefer lullabies to grown-up musical fare. Even lullabies with questionable lyrics manage to soothe young babies. For example, “Rockabye Baby”‘s mesmerizing melody lulls any baby to sleep – even as mom chants, “down will come baby, cradle and all!”[1]

Do lullabies influence babies physically, emotionally, or even musically? Scientific studies indicate that lullabies, when coupled with rocking and physical touch, increase vitality in babies. One study at Brigham Young University indicated that lullabies helped preemies gain weight quicker[3] while another study in 2005 suggests that the simple act of bouncing a baby to a song increases the infant’s rhythmic perception[4]. Overall, music positively affects infants (especially premature infants), physiologically by soothing them, decreasing high heart rates, and providing comfort[5].

Click to read the rest…

Missed the start of the series? Catch up here.

Ahh, it’s time for all things filth! Overdrive, distortion, fuzz, soft clipping, hard clipping, and limitless other descriptions to describe one of the most dramatic sound effects ever!

If dynamics effects are to claim the prize of being the most controversial and misunderstood effects; then the coveted prize for most popular, certainly (and with no competition) goes to anything that has the words ‘overdrive’, ‘distortion’, ‘fuzz’, or any variant in its descriptive moniker! While originally intended for guitar players (you’ll understand once you learn the history of this effect), no other effect has been so widespread throughout all of music production. Everything from vocals to drums, keyboards, and everything in between has been distorted, overdriven or fuzzed up at one time or another.

I’ll move it one step further. Distortion (unless otherwise specified, for simplicity I’ll refer to this topic generally as “distortion” from now on) actually makes up about 85-90% of the effects market. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that occasionally I use a made up expressive term like “cajillion” to make a point about enormous quantity; BUT, concerning distortion, no such exaggeration is needed – as there are thousands (and I mean that literally) of distortion devices being produced right at this moment.

I’ll bet that you, reading this right now, have at least a few distortion effects lying around!

I know that I certainly own… well… let’s just skip that number for now! Put it this way: I will never again make fun of, or criticize my girlfriend’s penchant for owning innumerable pairs of shoes!

However you slice it, distortion is the big card game in town and everyone wants a seat at the table; either as a consumer, or an opportunist manufacturer who boasts about delivering a new spin to all things crunch!

Why distort your signal?

Now on to more pertinent queries. Why on earth would you want to purposely distort a signal? After all, aren’t we taught by Hi-Fi manufacturers that the lower the signal distortion the better? Why the exception here?

Click to read the rest…