As someone interested in music, there is a slim possibility that you never tried to create your beats after listening to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" or Usher's "Yeah."
When it comes to music composition, the beats, vocals, and sounds may inspire you, but it takes a lot more than that to create something unique and powerful. You will need knowledge in different areas, including recording, composition, mixing, and sound knowledge. It also depends on what genre of music you want to create, as different types require different styles.
R&B is one of the most fun and easy forms of music to create. Let's explore what R&B music is about and find the best ways to produce it.
What Makes Music R&B?
Rhythm and Blues are most commonly known as R&B, a music genre that has constantly evolved, with each era adopting different styles. R&B is a fusion of Jazz, Blues, Soul, and rap that encapsulates multiple styles, and it is played with the same structure that emphasizes the second and fourth beats.
When R&B music originated in 1940, it became an immediate sensation among the American-Black community as it focused on freedom and hope for change. However, it adopted other styles over the period, including romantic and fun songs. The early compositions featured guitars and pianos, replaced in contemporary R&B by keyboards and synthesizers.
The rhythms in R&B songs are repetitive, which creates momentum with different interlinking parts. Also, the beats and lyrics are often mellow, emotional, fun, and groovy. When writing or composing a song, you must keep the following steps in mind;
What Steps to Follow When Producing R&B Music?
All kinds of music production, regardless of genre, require the same process, from songwriting to recording. However, with R&B music, the greatest music producers are aware of its techniques and style to make it stand out. Although this genre of music has adopted different styles in every era, certain fundamentals make R&B music what it is.
The Basics of Music Production
When composing music, you will realize that, at times, songwriting is the easiest part of the production process. The rest of the steps require a lot of expertise and knowledge. Factors like music theory will help you in creating memorable beats and help you display your talent effectively.
Before you get into music production, start with the following steps:
Let Your Creativity Speak
The greatest pop music producers are inspired by many styles and trends, but this is where they take time to find their voice. Similarly, inspiration can help you with many ideas, but if you're not paying closer attention to your style, you might create something basic already out there.
Before jumping into production and compositions, take as much time as possible to explore your creative side and experiment with different styles.
Technical Knowledge
Your work as a creator gets easier when you know the technicalities of your job. Because when you're in the process of production, your technical skills can save you a lot of your time.
As an R&B music producer, you must start by learning the basics, such as recording software, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), plug-ins, and other production equipment.
Knowledge Of Music Theory
You can learn about music theory while doing your own research or studying it thoroughly from music production tutors who design a simple online music production course about music production. The more you know it, the better you'll be able to create harmonies and rhythms and manage each sound's range of pitch and scales.
Knowledge of music theory further enhances your performance, compositions, and orchestration skills as you learn advanced areas.
Building Network
Collaborating with other musicians is one way to keep your ideas and mind fresh. You can learn much about music production while engaging with other talented artists through events, workshops, or a music production course like the one on Superprof. Such platforms can offer you opportunities to learn, work with professionals, and get inspiration for future projects.
What to Remember When Composing R&B Music?
Composing R&B music is fun, and you can get a chance to channel your talent really well if you know where to begin the process. Regardless of the style or genre you are aiming for, certain elements go the same with every type. When working on an R&B song, start with the following steps:
Build A Story
The one thing that hasn't changed about R&B music, regardless of the shapes and forms it has adopted over time, is its storytelling aspect. Whether it's the songs from the greatest rock music producers of the early days, like "The Great Pretender," or the most recent ones, like "I Wish You Roses," there is one constant element: Story.
Your Style Decides the Tone of the Song
When composing music, it is vital to have clarity about the vibe. The more your choice is sorted, the better you will be able to connect with your audience. You should know the vibe you're trying to create.
Since there are so many different styles in R&B music, knowing the one you are going with will help you structure the lyrics and sounds. Songs like "I Will Always Love You," which channels Soul's style and is more emotional, or "Stay With Me," with more of a blues influence, will help you with that decision.
Your Melody Makes the Song Memorable
Melodies play a significant role in all kinds of music compositions, and making one that is memorable and has perfect beats is one of the essentialities of R&B music. While working on melodies, the key is to put the high points in a way that constantly repeats while designing a good climax.
The Rhyming Is Not Important, But the Meaning
As mentioned earlier, the storyline is crucial in R&B music compositions. When you can write meaningful lyrics with solid beats, rhyming becomes optional. R&B music focuses more on what you have to say rather than how you're saying it. It takes no time for R&B music lovers to adapt to the beat because it's easy, meaningful, and connects with their feelings.
Carefully Arrange the Vocals
Two essential elements set the mood of your song. The first is the lyrics, and the second is the vocals. Your melody, theme of the song, and style are all dependent on the vocals and the way you arrange them. Whether it's an explosive or upbeat party song or a mellow and calm one, it all depends on the vocals you decide.
Make It Culturally Relevant
R&B music is highly popular in African-American culture, so putting some references to their pop culture will instantly click the audience. As the music reflects the minds and thoughts of the public, it is a great way to use language and slang familiar to the audiences. You will also find it in recent R&B songs by modern musicians like Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Khalid, and Normani.
Learn from the Best R&B Music Producers’ Work
Here are some leading RnB and hip-hop music producers you will love to listen to and learn from:
Quincy Jones
Songwriter and producer Quincy Jones is well known for his work not only in R&B but also in classical, pop, and Jazz. He has produced hundreds of songs throughout his career. Some of the most famous artists he has worked with are Tamia, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson.
Babyface
Known for his talent and ability to bring the best out of any artist, Babyface is one of those producers that reigned the R&B music industry. His massive hits include "I'm Yours Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston, Red Light Special by TLC, and "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell. Mary J. Blige, Bobby Brown, and Jon B are some famous artists he worked with.
Missy Elliott
Among the popular names, Missy Elliott is one exceptionally talented lady when it comes to songwriting, production, rapping, and creative direction. Having worked with Beyonce, Aaliyah, and Whitney Houston, the list of her hit production is countless.
The Neptunes
Who does not know the famous duo, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo? The biggest reason for their popularity is their constant experimentation and limiting themselves to one particular genre that gave them tremendous popularity in R&B and pop categories. Some of their popular hits are "Green Light" by Beyonce, "You Don't Have To Call" by Usher, and Ray J's "Wait A Minute."
| Producers | Notable Hits |
|---|---|
| Quincy Jones | Off The Wall, We Are The World, Thriller |
| Bryan-Michael | Be Without You, Confessions |
| Jermaine Dupri | You Make Me Wanna, We Belong Together, Where The Party at |
| Scott Storch | Let ME LoveYOu, Naughty Girl, Undecided |
| The Neptunes | U Don't Have To Call, Green Light, Wait A Minute |
Learn RnB Music Production With Music Production Tutors on Superprof
When you are self-learning, there is a lot you can take from different professionals' work. Especially if you want to spend less time researching and understanding the basics, you can always hire a professional music production tutor. Superprof is a platform that can help you learn music from scratch with detailed step-by-step courses. Sign up today to begin a music production class near me!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
Fantastic article of how established song/write producers think and work.
My favorite RnB producers are L.A Reid, Babyface. Because they have more multifaceted melody in their productions. Both in terms of upfunk and smooth songs, compared to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis productions. Their music is obviously well produced. But the songs generally contain the same bass/synth between the artists like Janet Jackson and New Edition from the 90s. Compared to LaFace productions for the artists Bobby B and Toni Braxton. Their musik is more variegated and melodious.
But the best of these producers together with Teddy Reiley is the term of “New Jack Swing” productions.
This contributed to put RnB and uptown Funk on the map.
What do you think?