Since I'm known to do mostly dance music, I'd like to share some of the basics in case you want to get started in writing dance music.

The most common form of dance music is house music so I'd like to concentrate this tutorial on that.

Under house, there are lots of sub genre's that spread out leading into different directions but their basic foundations are still house music styles and techniques.

First off, let's work on the basics of the drum pattern...

House music is also known as "4-to-the-floor" music meaning, the drum pattern is driven by a kick/bass drum on every 1, 5, 9, 13 in a 16 beat pattern. The Roland TR909 is known for the famous house bass drum so if you want to get that classic kick sound, use a TR909 sample or you can use Propellerheads Rebirth to program your drum pattern since it uses a TR909 emulating machine.

Next is the hi hat. House music has a really simple drum pattern that can survive in its most basic form. The hi-hats simply go on the up beat or against the kick. so it'll go on 3, 7, 11, 15 in the 16 beat pattern we're making. Use an open hi hat for this. You can use a sample or you can use Rebirth for the whole drum pattern

Now we have a pattern that basically sounds like tug-ts-tug-ts-tug-ts-tug-ts.

We're done! hehehe I'm kidding...

Now that we have the most basic house drum pattern, it's just a matter of adding variations and other drum hits that can make the difference in what direction your drum pattern might go. I won't go telling you what to add next but I'll be suggesting instead.

You can add tom toms to add that tribal feel on your pattern. You can add another hi hat but this time, keep it closed. You can add it to every other beat. You can also add some percussions like bongos, congas, or shakers to liven up the sound of your drum pattern. Rebirth however, doesn't have its own percussion sounds on the TR909. You can use some of the percussion sounds on the TR808 instead. You can also use FL studio for drum programming and composition. If you are already familiar with working with midi, get your hands on Propellerheads Reason for more sound options than just Rebirth.

Now we have our drum pattern, we need a bass line. To keep it really basic, I'll teach you the cheesiest bassline. Simply choose a low note on a low octave. Say, a "d." Now, remember where I told you to put your open hi hats? place a bass note there. Now, you have a pattern that has a bassline playing along with every open hi hat. During the late 90's and early 2000, this bass pattern really made its presence felt in tons of songs. But I suggest putting your stamp on it and later on, create your own variation. NOT JUST CHANGE THE NOTE! hehehe change the position as well.

Next are simply adding your lead lines, stabs, synth parts. This tutorial isn't about getting you to write the whole track but to give you some ideas so you'll have something when you start workin on your own.

To give you a headstart. I'll just give you one more thing to add. Now, after you choose a synth sound you want, put it on 1, 7, 9, 15. After this, you will here a pattern with the essential parts already. you bass line, drums and a simple lead line. Now, it's up to you to build up from that.

Writing a dance track doesn't necessarily require each part to be filled. You can have a floor-filler with just a kicking drum pattern and a pumping bassline. It's all in how you get the vibe goin in your track.

This may sound very cliche but EXPERIMENT. Don't hesitate to go out there and try something new with your track. Simple variations can make a big difference in the sound so keep it fresh.

I think one of the most important things to consider is immersing yourself in the music you want to create. In a way, there are certain unwritten rules that one should follow if you do decide to work on a certain genre. This doesn't mean that experimentation or applying your own style is discouraged. The rules I have mentioned simply guide you to work within the bounds of the so-called genre you want to work on...

For example, you want to do deep/sexy house a la miguel migs... you won't go out and use some distorted acid lines on your track because deep/sexy house is known for its cool sound, relaxing beats, and smooth vocals... putting a distorted acid line would simply take your whole track to a different direction. Unless you want to move away from that genre and make an entirely new one, trying to work within the bounds of those unwritten rules would allow your track to fall under the genre you want.

Hope that helps.

If you want to learn more or want to read about something different, email me your questions!

Cy!