Timer Beat Formula
This Timer Beat is designed to help you break free from the 8–16 bar loop cycle. It’s a tool to guide you in creating fully arranged songs instead of just super loops. The goal is to have a complete demo version of a song ready to share or play in your car by the end of the session.
You can choose your time frame:
30 minutes // 60 minutes // or more
Suggested Time Breakdown:
- Optional (10 minutes): Create a template
- 10 minutes: Create the beat
- 10 minutes: Create the hook
- 10 minutes: Create the chord progression
- 10 minutes: Create the bassline
- 10 minutes: Create the arrangement
- 10 minutes: Create the build-up
DONE!
Detailed Steps
Beat:
The beat is the foundation of your song. A great beat can make or break a track. Drums are essential, whether played live or produced. They need to move people—make them nod their heads, clap their hands, or even air drum. Think of the iconic drum fill in In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins—it’s unforgettable. Your beat should have that same kind of impact.
Try to create just one simple beat—kick, snare, and hats—or use a drum loop to get started. If you have time, expand by creating beats for the intro, theme, build-up, and drop sections. This will be incredibly helpful when arranging your full track.
Hook:
The hook is the most critical part of the song after the beat. Hooks can be vocal lines, guitar riffs, or even drum patterns. For example, We Will Rock You by Queen is a classic drum hook that unites stadiums worldwide. A great vocal hook combines a catchy melody with compelling lyrics.
Start by throwing in a vocal sample. Drop it into an Ableton sampler and quickly create some MIDI notes to alter it. The goal is to make something unique, repetitive, and fast. If you can, try to develop hook ideas for the intro, theme, build-up, and drop. This will help solidify the identity of your track and keep listeners engaged.
Chord Progression:
A good chord progression doesn’t have to be original; it just has to work with your melody. With only 12 notes in the Western scale, most progressions have already been done—but that’s okay! Focus on making it fit your song. Ed Sheeran has a great interview where he talks about this—check it out for inspiration.
Just lay down 2 to 4 chords as quickly as you can. Then change it up for the drop section. Start with the most complex chord progression at the beginning of the song in the "theme," and simplify it for the drop, as the drop is primarily about the bassline, beat, and hook.
Bassline:
The bassline sets the mood and groove of your song. In genres like dubstep, it often becomes the melody itself. A bassline doesn’t have to be complex; it can be as simple as one note, as long as it has rhythm, modulation, and solid sound design. Remember, a hook can be just a rhythm, and a melody can be just one note. Creativity lies in understanding and bending the rules.
Start with just the root notes of the chords for the intro and theme sections. Then focus on the drop section, where the bassline will truly shine. Dedicate as much time as possible to perfecting the drop bassline—it’s a critical element that can define the energy and impact of your song.
Arrangement:
Arrangement is what transforms a good song into a great experience. It’s about taking listeners on a journey—building tension, releasing it, and keeping them engaged. A classic arrangement to start with is:
- Intro
- Theme
- Build
- Drop
- Repeat
- Outro
Once you’ve laid this out, you can tweak it to add your unique flair.
Build-Up:
The build-up drives listeners into the drop or chorus. It often focuses on creating tension over 8–16 bars and releases it into the song's climax. You can incorporate elements of your hook or chorus into the build-up, but the key is to make the release impactful.
This formula ensures you keep moving forward and finish songs instead of getting stuck in loops. By following these steps, you’ll have a finished track every time!
Here's a video example of the Timer Beat
https://youtu.be/IPg2tWHk6zQ
For more in-depth help with creating and finishing songs, you might be a candidate for my mentorship program - book an intro call with me here https://KjSawka.as.me/student-consultation