Chromatic Notes/Non Modal Melodies

What is your opinion on using chromatic notes from time to time to help adjust a melody? Or just writing something that isn't quite all modal?

Edited July 16, 20196 yr by SilverWolf

Well, I think you'd have a tough time finding anyone who is like...against chromatic notes or whatever. The romantic era is pretty much synonymous with chromaticism and film/game music rely on it extensively.

Though maybe you're referring to simply using notes from outside a given diatonic scale? Also good. Would be pretty boring if you never did.

2 hours ago, SilverWolf said:

Or just writing something that isn't quite all modal?

This is where I'm a bit confused. What do you mean?

Most modern music, at least that intended purely for listening, is not modal to begin with. 

Yeah, thats exactly what I meant using notes outside a scale the DAW that I use FL studio doesn't really label the scale that I am trying to use (Dorian) as what it typically should be. It always labels it as minor instead, regardless of how few chords I use for the rhythm section of a piano the 1,4 chord combo only does so much and it still doesn't label it as Dorian. I've even considered using no 3rds in the rhythm just 5ths and inversions, saving the actual scale for the lead hand accentuating the 6th note and tonic chord, to no avail. So I decided to write a post on this and get other peoples opinion on this matter. In a lot of songs for video games like you said they use chromatic notes ex: Legend of Zelda and Skyrim to name a few. When the DAW doesn't label the scale properly anyways, it's discouraging to even think about sticking to one scale. 

You need the freedom to compose what you want; not be slave to a DAW. Can you switch off the "key" or scale or mode? You can't modulate to new keys or even do interesting harmonic progressions without accidentals so if you want to use some of the main chromatic chords (in a key - chords that don't exist in that key) you'd be stuck. I haven't used a key signature for ages. I just draw in the piano roll notes as I see fit. May take a bit of getting used to but once you can, you're free! 

Thanks I'll take that into consideration.