Like alot of people on here my music theory is very basic but i am trying to learn more.When im just playing notes on my midi keyboard ive never came up with a decent main riff for my tracks i was just wondering has anyone ever actually programmed a good lead or know of any pro producers that program in a main riff rather than play there midi keyboards.Again i suppose it also depends on your knowledge of music theory i think im answering my own question but il post it anyway.cheers
Im a firm believer that you dont need to learn music theory to be able to come up with good riffs.
I dont know anything beyond the names of basic chords.
I do have a lot of experience just playing… coming up with riffs and basslines etc.
Its really just practice… you get to know patterns and chords that work well.
The same ones pop up time and time again.
Best way i think to learn is to try to copy riffs from tracks you like and then study the midi file… and try to understand why certain chord transitions or melodies sound nice.
You can also just get lucky and come up with something great by just messing about.
The one thing i always hear with people just starting is a lack of repetitive groove and melody… they just meander along with no purpose.
Get a 1 bar rhythm pattern and use it across 4 bars of your riff… maybe a flourish at the end of the 2nd or 4th bar.
Kind of similar with the melody… you want something that has a certain amount of repetitive themes. and use the bass line or chords to give the movement.