How to Write Captivating Bass
Using Displacements for Variations

Download Tutorial as PDF
includes MIDI + WAV file examples

Do you ever write a bass line (or synth/guitar riff) that you love, but after a few loops it gets boring?…

How to Write a
Memorable Bass Line
using modal ambiguity

Yes, your lead melody is important. But a great bass line has the power to make or break a section. Despite that fact, though, most producers approach their bass as…

How to Write a Modulating Melody
using a series of direct key changes

John Carpenter’s “Halloween Theme” is one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the horror film genre. And that’s not just because the movie is so…

How to Write a Suspenseful Melody
using Bitonality, AKA playing in two keys simultaneously

The dictionary definition of suspenseful is “causing a feeling of excitement or nervousness because you are waiting for something to happen”.

That perfectly describes the intro…

How to Write a
Technical Drum Beat

If you’ve been in the Hack Music Theory family for a while, you’ll know we love technical drum beats! And there probably ain’t nothin’ more tech’ than polymeters*. While polymeters were relatively popular…

How to Write a Rhythmic CHORD Progression

One of the most common mistakes producers make when writing chord progressions is focusing exclusively on the notes (i.e. the harmony). Now, it obviously goes without saying that the notes are a vital…

How to Write Standout DRUMS

A standout drum beat can make or break a song. Want proof? Listen to the new Aphex Twin single “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”.

He’s actually reversed the roles of the instruments in this song, as…

How to Write Advanced DRUMS

Step 1. Pattern

Set up two bars of 4|4 with your grid set to 1/16 notes, and your tempo at 136 BPM. Now, instead of starting to make your drum beat with the usual kick…

How to Write a Catchy MELODY

FREE: Download This Tutorial as PDF

Includes multitrack MIDI example

Step 1. Scale

There are two types of catchy melodies: annoyingly repetitive ones you can’t stop singing but actually hate, and awesome ones that…

How to Write Polymeter DRUMS

Step 1. Kick in 7

The new Periphery single “Atropos” (from the album Periphery V: Djent Is Not a Genre) opens with a classic djent polymeter, which we love! Staying true to Meshuggah’s original polymeter…

Stop Looping Melodies This Way

DOWNLOAD This Tutorial as PDF (includes MIDI file)

When you loop a melody, do you just copy and paste it? If so, that way of looping could be ruining your melodies!

But the good news…

Orchestrate Drum Patterns for Better Beats

Beginner beats usually use only three elements of the drum kit. So, in this lesson you'll learn how to make pro beats by voicing them over the whole kit. But first... Tea!

INTRO

Hello…

How to Make Polymetric Beats

DOWNLOAD This Tutorial as PDF (includes MIDI file)

In this tutorial you’ll learn a 3-step hack for making polymetric drum beats. We invite you to work along with…

Better Beats in 1 Second. Seriously!

In this lesson you'll learn how to improve your drum beats in one second. Seriously. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to…

How to Make Better Dance Beats

In this lesson you'll learn how to improve your four-on-the-floor drum beats. But first… Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music Theory…

Drum Fills in 4 Steps

In this lesson you’ll learn our 4-step method for making better drum fills. We invite you to work along with us through these steps, so by the end of this lesson, you’ll also have a…

3 Types of Drum Fills

In this lesson you’ll learn the three types of drum fills, where to use them, and how to make them. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution…

4-Step Hack for Dark Bass Lines

In this lesson you’ll learn a simple 4-step hack for writing dark and dissonant bass lines. We invite you to work along with us through the following steps, so by the end of this…

Melody Rhythm Rule

Learn how to avoid this rhythmic fault that many songwriters and producers make in their melodies. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to Hack Music…

5-Second Intro Rule

Learn how to use our 5-Second Intro Rule to instantly capture the attention of your listeners, so your songs don’t get skipped. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution…

Kick Drum Rule

The "Kick Drum Rule" ensures your drum beats not only groove, but also stand out from the crowd. But first... Tea!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and welcome to…

Changing Chords Rule

Are your chord progressions a bit boring? Well don’t worry, cos in this tutorial you’ll learn the one thing you need to change in order to bring your chord progressions to life. And, it only takes a…

Learn how to make a groove inspired by the captivating rhythms of new UK Jazz, using a music theory hack from “Free My Skin” by London collective Steam Down.

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray…

Do you have a bass line, but now you wanna learn how to write a chord progression for it? Then simply use these 3 steps!

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and Ray Harmony (AKA Revolution Harmony), and…

Do you have an idea for a song, but you don’t know where to go next? Then learn how to write a song like a pro, with this new workflow series.

Hello revolutionary music makers, we are Kate Harmony and…