HarmonyNoob123

hey folks

first of all excuse my english, i'm not a native speaker i would be very happy if you could help me and answer the following questions.

thank you very much!

Chords
Does electronic music (especially electro) have chords? And which instrument usually plays the chords in electronic music? I quess it's a chord-playing synthesizer? If yes, how has the chord-playing synthesizer to sound like (the same as the lead-synth)?
And is it possible do make musik without chords (techno)?

Counterpoint and adding of other instruments to the melody
How can i figure out what the bass is playing according to the lead instrument's melody? -> Is it just about counterpoint and nothing else? (Counterpoint - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
And if I want to add additional instruments (especially e guitar or strings) is it only about counterpoint-theory as well?

i hope you understand my weird questions otherwise feel free to ask for explanation.

thank you very much!

green.earth.al

It is definitely possible to make music without chords.

Different chords can help to establish certain moods. Chords don't always have to be sounded simultaneously, there can be split chords. Keyboards can and often do sound simultaneous chords even in techno and electronica. Though many composers of techno and electronica don't really have any pressing desire to impress people who have studied a lot of music theory and instead have as their goal just creating something trance enducing --something that's still enjoyable even when repeated many, many times.

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SmokeScreen

I'd wait for IFeelKindaLocrian and/or Muzoid to respond to this bcuz they usually have the most insight(at least from my experience in this section of the forum) and will give the most information about your questions. Id prolly say something and then just have it reiterated(sp?) but more in depth by either one of them. So wait til they see the thread and im sure theyll be happy to give any help they can.

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HarmonyNoob123

thx a lot green.earth.al for your explanation!
and thank you as well Wholksdaskppy. so i'll wait for further information

IfeelKindaLocrian

Almost every song has chords, also in electronic music. The chords are maybe less defined cause of the use of synthesizers and ambient noises.
Often a melody implies certain chords, which are not played. An electronic melody without the use of chords implies chords within the key of that melody. For example, if a melody of a song consists of only 3 notes, lets say E G and B, there's a fat chance it's played over an Em in the key of Em although Em is not played at all.

The sounds of the instruments dont have to be the same for the melody and harmony. It think it would sound rather boring.

You cant figure that out (in case there's no bass line). It's what you WANT. Lets take the first example again where the melody is only playing E, G and B. The most logical thing to do -because it sounds most consonant- is to drone the E note on the bass, or play lots of E's. But again, that would bore people out. You can also choose to play C's in the bass which makes the overall chord a Cmaj7 (C E G B). This will spice things up a bit. But by only hearing the melody, you cant figure out the intended bass line as every musician has their own intentions with a piece.

In case you mean: how do i find out the notes that the bass is playing by using the melody as reference? (in case there IS a bass linke) Then my answer would be: find out the key of the song, and find out which notes the melody is playing (for any chord changes) and listen carefully if you hear the bass changing notes, cause it happens a lot that the bass is playing the rootnotes of the (implied) chords.

No, it's about playing what sounds good. The ear is number one judge, theory is only to guide people, not to decide.

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You have a pretty Fmaj7.

HarmonyNoob123

thx a lot IfeelKindaLocrian, you've just made my day

so, counterpoint-theory is not required in modern music?

SmokeScreen

Definately not required but helps keep things interesting

__________________
FINGER TWIN POWERS ACTIVATE!!!

If there were no rewards to reap,
No loving embrace to see me through this tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now.