When you write \"happy\" chord progressions, do they end up sounding cheesy? Then we've got a theory hack for you, which Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross use in “The Start of Things” (Mid90s soundtrack).
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In their new song “The Start of Things” (from the “mid90s” soundtrack, which just dropped this weekend), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross lift you up into the clouds with their ethereal piano part. How do they make their chord progression sound so uplifting, yet so sincere? Well, they play back and forth between the root chords of the two most uplifting major modes: Lydian and Ionian. They use D Lydian and A Ionian (which are relatives), and that creates the illusion of their progression being in both modes (which is double happy!). However, Lydian’s dissonant ♯4 counters that with its incredible tension, adding maturity and sincerity.
Step 1: Left-Hand (Bass)
Set up eight bars of 4/4, with your grid set to 1/8 notes, and your tempo set to 87 BPM. “The Start of Things” only uses two chords, Dmaj and Amaj, so we’ll use them as the basis for our version as well. Start by ping-ponging between a low D and the D an octave higher. Do this for two bars, and then do the same on A for two bars. Next, copy and paste those four bars into the second half. You’ll notice at the end of every second bar, we’ve moved a few notes. This is just to make the chord changes a little more interesting, so feel free to do that too. Now, Trent Reznor has a favourite technique (which we like to call “four-on-the-chords”), where he plays the 1/4 note pulse on the chords. This creates a pumping momentum over which he then plays (or sings) a beautiful melody. Trent’s four-on-the-chords technique aptly stretches back to his mid-90’s masterpiece “Hurt”. And you can definitely see that technique in action here, with those low 1/4 notes in the left hand.
Step 2: Right-Hand (Melody)
First things first, it is absolutely essential that over the Dmaj chord you play the ♯4 (which is G♯), as this is the magical Lydian note, and it’s super dissonant, so it will single-handedly prevent your melody from sounding like the theme tune for a kid’s TV show*. Other than that, be sure to play the 3 (which is F♯) for that happy vibe, and the 2 (which is E) for that dreamy vibe, then the rest is up to you. Next, over the Amaj chord, keep it simple and just play a couple notes, like we did with the 3 (which is C♯), and the 2 (which is B). Then finally, in the second half, build up your melody to a climax, perhaps a high 3 (which is C♯) over that last Amaj chord. And if you wanna kick up your build even more, throw in a few 1/16 notes, and maybe even some 1/32 notes (but don’t tell Trent about the 1/32 notes, that’ll be our little secret!).
*Yes kids, it's true... The Simpsons theme tune uses the ♯4, but that's a show for mummy and daddy!
ABOUT
Hack Music Theory is the pioneering notation-free method for making great music that stands out, so you can get discovered! Taught by award-winning music lecturer Ray Harmony, and his protégé (and wife) Kate Harmony, from their studio in Vancouver BC, Canada. Ray is the author of critically-acclaimed book series \"Hack Music Theory\", and has made music with Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Ihsahn (Emperor), Kool Keith (Ultramagnetic MCs), Madchild (Swollen Members), and many more. Kate has the highest grade distinction in Popular Music Theory from the London College of Music, and is the only person on the planet who's been trained by Ray to teach his Hack Music Theory method! While these Hack Music Theory YouTube lessons teach music theory for producers and DAW users, they are designed to accommodate all music makers (songwriters, guitarists, etc.) and all genres, from Electronic Music to R&B, Pop to Hip-Hop, Reggae to Rock, EDM/Dance to Metal (and yes, we djefinitely Djent!).
