Writing heavier songs (EZK2)

[Neb]

Do any users have tips or advice for guiding EZKeys2 towards heavier, darker keys, modes, chord-progressions and play-styles?

I’m a music theory beginner, and I don’t seem to be able to steer it very far away from producing happy, jazzy parts.

Thanks.

EZkeys version: 2.0.0
Operating system: Windows 10

Beginner-level Guitarist/Drummer/Mixer. EZD2|3 / EZKeys1|2 / EZMix3.
Desktop - Ryzen 5 4650G @ 3.7GHz | 16Gb DDR4 | 1TB SSD | Win10 Pro.
Reaper | Roland Rubix 4x4 interface | Arturia Minilab II controller.

Topic

[sonicviz]

You probably want to start from the rhythm section first, rather than harmony.

Use Bass/drums to construct a heavy rhythm section track, then match some keyboard parts to that.

EZDrummer/EZBass have plenty of midi packs for that.
Find some keyboard parts that fit the rhythm (change tempo or whatever, experiment).

Adapt them to heavy genre style chord progressions like the following to get a start:

11 Heavy Metal Chord Progressions

https://www.guitarchalk.com/reusable-hard-rock-chord-progressions-guitar-lessons/

 

Lay some guitar on top, some screaming, you’re good to go.

2

Thanked by: Robert Garcia and Neb

[Neil Cummins]

If you don’t mind spending a relatively small amount of money and staying in-house…go for the Goth Rock MIDI pack(look in the EZKeys Add-On MIDI page) which contains some good dark stuff.

You can create your keys part or parts and use what EZK2 has to offer in terms of the new recorded sounds,or export your MIDI file and pull into your synth of choice,then add into the mix as suggested by SonicViz above.

Hope this helps as a start.

1

Thanked by: Neb

[Billy 86]

As a general rule, minor keys are going to have a darker feel.

SD3 3.4, EZK2.1.3, EZ Bass 1.3.1, Win11, i9/9900, all SSDs, 64g RAM, Cakewalk, Studio One

1

Thanked by: Neb

[Author]

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