Create A Scene

This article builds upon the concept of the three layers of a song. If you are not aware of this concept please read this article here first.

In my one time gig as an assistant gaffer, I was interested to note that the light guys like to create certain combos of lights into different scenes to pull up for different sections or feels as the song progresses. It become obvious that layer of abstraction is also present in the production of a density layer. Artists create scenes-collection of instruments who have certain roles or jobs. Let's look at the studio version of Hound Dog to note the scenes that are involved in this production.

There are basically two scenes involved in this production.

1. Verse
• Vocal-melody
• Drums-quant, pulse & change pattern at measure 12 (drum roll). Also note that there is a minor drumroll after measures 4 and 8 of the pattern
• Guitar A-quant arpregio
• Guitar B-counter melody in measure 8
• Bass-quant arpeggio
• Claps-pulse
• Everyone-stop change pattern in measure 12
  


2. Solo
• Guitar lead-theme
• Drums-quant and pulse and change pattern
• Bass-quant and pulse
• Background vocals-expand aural spectrum
• No change in measure 12 just drop back to Scene 1

Now with the scenes defined it is easy to see how the song flows.

• The guitar changes from a quant instrument to a theme instrument.
• The lead vocal theme drops out in the solo
• The background vocals are added to create tension
• The claps are dropped in the solo leaving the bass and drums to sustain the quant

This pattern can be considered a "toggle" pattern though a toggle pattern usually changes after each instance of a section. (Verse-Chorus)(Intro-Verse-Chorus) However, defining the density layer in this way allows you to instantly understand the inner logic of the production.

Pulse and Quant- Elvis' Hound Dog

This article builds upon the concept of the three layers of a song. If you are not aware of this concept please read this article here first.

The pulse layer consists of elements that define the musical space. The quant instrument(s) define the smallest unit. In this Elvis tune, the steady appregiated bass figure played by the bass and guitar defines the smallest unit to the user. However, it leaves out a space in the process leaving a "quant hole." The figure defines for the user the musical space with a gap after the root note. The pulse, a pattern that lays on top of the quant, is define by the clapping figure. This steady pulse pushes the song forward until the "change pattern" of the drum roll following by a "stop pattern". This last two bars of a blues, called the "turnaround", sends the user back to the start and is extermely effective.
The density layer change between the solo and verse on this song is effective in adding tension. Notice on the famous live version of this on the Ed Sullivan song the solo isn't as effective as a tension without the background "ahs."

Also note the different arrangement with the solo following the verse directly in the live version while the recording plays the solo after the third verse. Also notice the choppy nature of the live version due to the fact that the guitar has the quant alone because of the low recording level of the bass.

Some thoughts on best practices for performing this song-

1. Having the solo after the second verse might be more effective as it splits the song up in a more logical fashion
2. The "ahs" over the solo add a lot. If you don't have the vocalist try maybe an organ or other instrument that can sustain over the measures to add the dynamic tension.
3. Doubling the bass figure with bass and guitar will "smooth" out the pulse of the song
4. The clapping adds a lot in the pulse layer, if the claps are absent try to make sure the drummer creates this pulse to push the song forward.

Examples of different pulse layers using Rolling Stone top songs

This article builds upon the concept of the three layers of a song. If you are not aware of this concept please read this article here first.

The quant, a main part of the pulse layer, is the instrument that defines the smallest level of notes that will be significant to the user. It is the foundation that the rest of the song leans upon. Sometimes there is the pulse of the song is not just one instrument but a combo on a pulse from one instrument and a predictable pattern.
Usually the quant is found via the drummer's symbols, however in this Ray Charles clip notice how the piano defines the "shuffle 8th notes" as the smallest unit and this is the foundation of every other instrument in the band.



Notice that on "Satisfaction" that the quant is defined by the snare (1-2-) and the tamborine (3-and-4).



Note the steady beat of the vibraphone (I think that is what instrument that is) on the quarter beat for the intro to Good Vibrations which makes a pulse for the song. Note that it isn't the quant in itself because the guitar riff pattern is playing on the downbeats which later mirrored by the drums. On the chorus, the synth strings eigth notes take over the pulse as the quant. This changing quant pattern is one of the strongest and most used of all popular music.



On Respect by the queen of soul Aretha Franklin, the pulse is a steady drum beat on the quarter note. The numberous counter melodies combine to make the quant. All of these hang on the steady beat of the straight drum track.



In John Lennon's Imagine, the piano is the pulse of the song for the intro and the drum kit takes up the pulse after the chorus.




Mavin Gaye's "What's going on" uses the common drum quant pattern.

Layers of a song

Popular music songs, in their greatest form, has three separate layers that each function to provide the song some unique function. A song that does not include all three layers will leave the listener with a feeling that the song has a "lack of direction." First, I will state the layers and then go into the elements of each layer in particular.

1. Pulse-This layer has an instrument define the aural space into discrete rhythmic units.
2. Pattern- This hosts the melody, the harmony, and any riffs.
3. Density-This layer is a constantly changing form that helps the user to understand the logical sections of a song.

Pulse

 A requirement for a song is that one or more instruments provide the listener with the smallest meaningful unit of time. This will function like train tracks and allow the band to put on layers of harmony and melody on top. Without this foundation, the rest of the elements of the song will not sound cohesive. The commonly used instrument for this purpose is drum symbols. The drummer will keep a constant 8th note pulse on the hi-hat or ride cymbal. Other examples could be having the bass pounding out 8th notes or a guitarist picking an 8th note arpeggio.

Pattern

These are the places in the song where rhythm met pitch. The foremost pattern in any song is the melody but a melody by itself is empty. The melody in itself creates "holes" where the melody stops and allows for counter melodies or other patterned forms. Patterns in this layer include the following:

• Melody-the main theme of the song, the musical part of the lyrics, if applicable
• Counter Melody - a melody that plays when the melody is "resting"
• Riff - a melodic pattern that is not subservient to the melody of the song
• Complement - a pattern that puts emphasis on a certain section of another pattern
• Change- a pattern that tells the user that a section change is imminent
• Harmony- a pattern of notes that imply a harmony, call be arpeggio or simultaneous
• Holes- places where patterns rest. For example, the part in the melody where the singer takes a breath.

Density

This layer is constantly changing and helps the user understand the sectional nature of the piece. The different densities allow the band to puts the ideas in their proper context. The densities are:

1. Harmonic- the thickness of the chords being played or how many notes are actualized vs. implied
2. Note how many instruments are playing a given note
3. Attack-how fast the notes are being played. For example, 8th notes vs half notes
4. Instrument-how many instruments are being played
5. Spectrum-how much of the aural landscape is being used. For example, you might be using bass tones or treble tones or both.
6. Aural-whether or not the aural space is being covered. For example, a staccato eight note melody would not cover as much as a legato half note melody
7. Timbre-the types of tones being used

The use and understanding of these layers will be the difference between a garage band and a professional group.