Harmonic mixing is the art of mixing a song with another, while being in tune with the melody of both songs. While Dance DJs have been using the method for quite some time now, it is still relatively new to the Urban DJ scene (for the simple fact that it is harder to utilize). In the very near future, it is certainly a factor that will separate the lame from the pros; so if you are not on the band wagon just yet, it may be a good idea to learn what it’s all about!
Ever wonder why some songs just mix in perfectly together while others sound terrible - even when the BPM is spot on? If you have a set of songs that you play because you know that they always mix together perfectly and in tune, then you are mixing harmonically. Harmonic mixing ignores beat matching and focuses on matching up the melody of a song so that they are in the same key or in similar keys.
The 9 Inch Remix Harmonic Mixing Block is derived from the Cycle of Fifths notation for transposing music used by composers and musicians of the 16th century. The Cycle of Fifths concept is based upon the fact that a simple ratio of 3:2 exists between the length of a vibrating body; producing a given pitch and of that producing the fifth above (Pythagoras). What this basically means is that, any two keys on our Harmonic Mixing Block that are adjacent, (left or right, up or down) are similar keys that can be mixed together harmonically.
For example:
If a song is in the key F# MAJ (B2), you can either mix it with a song that is also F# MAJ (B2) or B MAJ (B1), C# MAJ (B3) or D# MIN (A2).
Cycle of Fifths
Harmonic Mixing Block © 9 Inch Remix Service
|
MAJOR
B
|
B
1
|
F#
2
|
C#
3
|
G#
4
|
D#
5
|
A#
6
|
F
7
|
C
8
|
G
9
|
D
10
|
A
11
|
E
12
|
MINOR
A
|
G#
1
|
D#
2
|
A#
3
|
F
4
|
C
5
|
G
6
|
D
7
|
A
8
|
E
9
|
B
10
|
F#
11
|
C#
12
|
Yes! we know that the Rows are swapped on the top and bottom images, we have done this on purpose to show you that it simply does not matter!
Click here to download the 9 INCH REMIX Cycle of Fifths Harmonic Mixing Block © in PDF form (printer friendly).
You may print it and use it as a quick reference when performing. Stick it on your CD case or laptop.
A Very Important Note:
Harmonic mixing only works when you have Master Tempo turned on. Without it, as you pitch up and down, you not only change the speed or BPM of the song, but the actual pitch also (hence the name). Master Tempo is now available on most DJ mixing products (including Serato). Pioneer have been including it in their products for years.
A more than 3% change on your pitch slider means the song’s key will be shifted to the adjacent key on the SCALE up or down. E.g. If the song you were playing was C# MAJOR, and you pitched it up by 4%; the songs key is now D. So now, you need to find a song that mixes with D major and that is in the same BPM range. As you can see, this will get all too confusing and its best to just turn Master Tempo on, which is something you should have been doing previously anyway. There is nothing worse than the dance floor hearing the keys grind as you pitch up or down without master tempo on!
Creating Uplifting Sounding Mixes
We recommend that you always travel to the right on the Block when mixing, to create an uplifting sounding mix (like when you play on the piano). When you get to the very right on the Harmonic Mixing Block (MAJOR or MINOR 12), simply start again from the left, at MAJOR or MINOR 1.
However, keep in mind that you always have the option of mixing to the left, right, up, or down of the current key you are in, but NEVER MIX DIAGONALLY, as diagonal mixes are the ones that sound terrible! (With some exceptions in other scales).
It is also important to note that, songs in the MAJOR scale are classified as ‘uplifting’ or ‘happy’, whereas songs in the MINOR scale as classified as ‘moody’ or ‘nostalgic’. This does not mean that you abandon all songs in the MINOR scale in an effort to make your dance floor ‘happy’. Another way to describe the two scales is that a lot of MAJOR songs sound a little ‘fruity’, and MINOR songs sound ‘thuggish’ or ‘crunk’.
Overall, majority of songs are in fact MINORS.
Why Use the Block System instead of the Circular System?
It is easier to read, easier to stick on your CD folder or your laptop, easier to ultimately learn the key and scale mix relationships (which is what you really want if you want to become pro) and most importantly, you want to look like a professional when you DJ. You certainly do not want carry around something that looks like it was made for kindergarten children.
Also, many misguided DJs use a color code system to label all their CDs along with their 'paper plate' mixing system (as we like to call the Circular System). If anyone suggests to you that you need a ‘color code system’ or you read somewhere that a ‘color code system’ will help; all it will actually do is waste a lot of your time or ink. A black and white print out of the Block System is more than sufficient unless you take the short bus to your gigs and still like to play with crayons :) . Ultimately, your goal is to learn the key and scale relationships and mix without the aid of a key code system, like a true professional.
Working Out the Harmonic Keys of Your Music Collection
To work out the harmonic key of other songs in your collection, please visit http://www.mixshare.com/ which offers a free tool for harmonic key detection. (Please note that sometimes the programs get it wrong!)
Or, you can use a piano/keyboard like the professionals and get it spot on, but this can be somewhat time-consuming depending on how good your ears are.
Advance Harmonic Mixing Technique 1: Energy Boost Mixing
SCALE |
C |
C# |
D |
D# |
E |
F |
F# |
G |
G# |
A |
A# |
B |
Some of you may have heard of “Energy Boost Mixing”. This refers to mixing in songs that are a semitone higher. Mixing a semitone higher, means that if you were currently playing a song that is in C, you will mix in a song that is C#, which is the next note on the scale (or one key above).
This harmonic mixing technique is especially good when you are doing a mix show with every track lasting no more than a minute and a half. The melodies will almost always clash with +1 semitone and you should never overlap tracks. This is a technique used to boost the energy level on the dance floor and not to sound particularly ‘melody smooth.’- And that is the reason why this part is headed ‘advanced mixing!’
For more information on the music theory component, visit:
http://www.mixshare.com/wiki/doku.php?id=advanced_theory
Please support this website, its software and its creators, as it is non-commercial in nature and is there for the benefit of all DJs.
We will publish more harmonic mixing techniques very soon!
Final Note
We are sure there was a time in your DJ career when you found that learning to beatmatch was a tough nut to crack. Now, you have just learnt that, BPM knowledge may simply not be enough. Most elite and renowned DJs that you know of have known about harmonic mixing for a large part of their career, which is why they are at where they are now. If you are new to harmonic mixing, you may find it a little painful at the start, but hopefully you will find it to be an extra added excitement for you to include in to your performance.
We recommend that you use harmonic mixing techniques as a way to improve your set, but the minute you realize it has become too mechanical and no longer fun, perhaps it’s a good idea to take it down a few notches and just use your natural DJ instincts also.
