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Deconstructing Dil Se

This course is in 2 parts. The first half teaches how melodies are built: the motif, the phrase, and the 2 classical structures built from phrases: the Period and the Sentence. We’ll learn how composers grow a few notes into a complete song using techniques like sequencing, fragmentation, diminution, truncation and extension. Every technique is demonstrated through songs we already know, from popular Indian music to works of Beethoven and Mozart.

The second half deconstructs 5 songs of Dil Se in detail: Jiya Jale, Satrangi Re, Ae Ajnabi, Dil Se Re and Chaiyya Chaiyya. For each song we go inside the DAW and look at how its melody is developed, the scales and modes behind its colour, the harmony, the rhythm, and the production: pedal points, implied tension, stereo imaging, groove and humanisation, and how the energy of a song is raised and dropped.

What will I learn?

  • How a motif becomes a phrase, and a phrase becomes a song
  • The Period and the Sentence: how we spot them in any song and use them in our own writing
  • Over 10 ways of developing a melody, shown through popular Indian songs and works of Beethoven and Mozart
  • Why some phrases sound like questions and others like answers: cadences and functional harmony explained simply
  • Rhythm as a composition tool: note values, double time, triplets, syncopation and odd bar lengths
  • Song structures: verse and chorus, mukhda, antara and the cross
  • Detailed deconstruction of Jiya Jale, Satrangi Re, Ae Ajnabi, Dil Se Re and Chaiyya Chaiyya: melody, scales, harmony, rhythm, arrangement and production
  • Production concepts from the album: pedal point, implied tension, stereo imaging and double tracking, groove and humanisation, and energy control

Course Curriculum

Deconstructing Dil Se
In this course, you will learn the traditional basics of music composition such as Period and the Sentence, sequencing, fragmentation etc. We will then apply these concepts to the A.R Rahman's iconic songs from Dil Se. You will learn about the application of music theory, essential concepts of rhythm and music production concepts like pedal point, timbre, texture and elements of mixing.

  • The Period – Introduction
    12:22
  • The Period – Song Examples
    12:22
  • The Sentence – Introduction
    01:08
  • The Sentence – Song Examples and comparison with the period
    25:20
  • Melodic Development – Sequencing
    21:48
  • Melodic Development – Other methods Part 1
    36:10
  • Melodic Development – Other methods Part 2
    17:40
  • Melodic Development – Analysing Mozart
    05:29
  • Analysing Dil Se – Part 1
    29:15
  • Chit-chat and wrapping up
    07:29
  • Analysing Dil Se – Common themes through the album
    03:35
  • Jiya Jale
    37:05
  • Satrangi Re
    52:24
  • Ae Ajnabi
    27:01
  • Dil Se Re
    47:50
  • Chaiyya Chaiyya
    23:57
  • Deconstructing Dil Se – Session Notes

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Requirements

  • A working knowledge of musical concepts like chords, scales and basic modes is recommended but isn't necessary.
₹7,900

Target Audience

  • Music composers
  • Music producers
  • Singers
  • Instrumentalists

Material Includes

  • Includes the PDF of presentation material from the course.

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