[sdiy] The ideal quantizer, was: Music

[David G. Dixon]

> > > Yeah: learn the theory!

OK, this response actually pisses me off, too!  It always begs the question,
"How?!?"

Here's a simple suggestion:

1.  Go to a piano or other convenient polyphonic keyboard.

2.  Play a low C and hold it down so it sustains, but don't use the pedal.

(if you don't know how to find C on the keyboard, it's the white key with
another white key directly to its left, and the first of a set of two black
keys directly to its right).

3.  Play a C major scale in the midrange (all white keys from C to C).

4.  Now, play a low D and sustain it.

5.  Play a D dorian mode (all white keys from D to D).

Do you hear the "bluesy" quality?  It sounds a bit melancholy, but the
natural sixth prevents it from being truly sad, perhaps...?

6.  Now, play a low E and sustain it.

7.  Play an E phrygian mode (all white keys from E to E).

Do you hear the "Iberian Peninsula" action there?  Or maybe you associate
that sound more with the Arabian Peninsula (perhaps because the Moors
brought that sound to Spain in the first place...?)

8.  Repeat with F (lydian), G (mixolydian), A (aeolian, aka natural minor)
and B (locrian), and form your own opinions and associations.

9.  Now, repeat this procedure, but instead of just running the scale, skip
every other note (i.e., play an arpeggio), or play four-note seventh chords
up the mode (i.e., play the 1-3-5-7 where 1 is the first note of the mode,
then 2-4-6-8, then 3-5-7-9, etc).  You can also play little repeating
patterns, like 1-3-2-4-3-5-4-6-5-7-6-8-7-9-8 (1 again) or
1-4-2-5-3-6-4-7-5-8-6-9-7-10-8 (1 again).  Pretend you're a human sequencer
confined to just those notes, and create little melodies to get a "feel" for
that mode.  Don't forget to play the root note of the mode in the bass,
though, to give your brain a harmonic "context" from which to compare the
sound.

This is called "ear training" and it's a very pleasurable (and absolutely
crucial) activity for musicians.

Do this for a day or two and you'll be "learning the theory" in no time!