Storytelling is one of the most fundamental aspects of human communication and has been around since the beginning of the human race. Music has been a powerful tool for conveying emotion for just as long. Whether it's a simple lullaby or an insanely sophisticated piece of music, it has the ability to transport listeners to different dimensions and evoke powerful emotions. If you're a music producer looking to make your listeners really connect with your music and inspire feelings, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
First, think about the story you want to tell. What emotions do you want to evoke in your listeners? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to communicate, you can start thinking about the musical elements that will help you convey your message. This includes choosing the right instrumentation, melody, chord progression, and rhythm to create a vibe that supports your story.
Different keys, tempos, and scales can all have a profound impact on the emotional content of your music. For example, minor keys and slower tempos are often associated with sadness or melancholy, while major keys and faster tempos can create a sense of joy and excitement.
Here is a blog that I came across that describes the feelings that certain scales typically produce
Music means different things to different people. But there are certain scales that sound "sad", "happy", "majestic", "scary", etc.
When it comes to sound selection, real instruments (pianos, guitars, bells, violins, ...) usually produce stronger feelings than synthesized sounds. However, synthesized sounds usually are better at producing nostalgic moods.
Now, you're probably thinking, "If I make beats and I just use 8-bar samples, how can I make my audience feel that". Well, it doesn't take long for an audience to connect with a piece of music and you can still apply these tips.
Next, consider the structure of your music. A well-told story has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and your music should follow a similar structure. You might start with an introductory section that sets the scene and introduces your themes, then builds to a climax or emotional peak, before resolving with a satisfying conclusion. By using dynamic changes, key shifts, and other musical techniques, you can create a sense of progression and development that keeps listeners engaged all inside 2 or 3 chords.
Think about every aspect of your music when you are creating. Using a small number of notes introduces familiar sounds that could be pleasing and more relatable to the listener. Using space and silence in your melodies allows the listener to "fill in the blanks" with their own imagination. Reversing the melody could put the listener into a state of confusion, inner reflection, or anxiousness. Strumming the notes could make your listener feel more relaxed and calm. Lowering the velocity (how hard you play the notes) of the notes introduces calmness or suspense, whereas playing the notes at a high velocity introduces energy and anticipation.
When creating music you want to think about what every sound is adding to the overall sound. Less is usually more, so keep it simple. By considering the mood, instrumentation, and creative possibilities of your music, you can create tracks that evoke powerful feelings and connect with listeners on an emotional level.