The style initially spread among pirate radio stations (such as Rinse FM) and underground scenes before achieving some mainstream recognition in the UK during the mid-2000s through artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Lethal Bizzle, and Wiley. Grime music has been described as the “most significant musical development within the UK for decades.”
wikipedia
Here is an example:
Structure
The structure of grime is the repeated pattern of music being played in minor key. The style often has the same sections of music repeated. The rapping is the main focus. here is a video:
Melody
When it comes to melodies in grime they use lots of repeated melodic ideas. For example, there will be a piano riff that is in the intro. This repeated throughout the song. Here is a video:
Rhythm
Rhythm in grime is made up of very complex drum beats. All Grime is made using a track on a drum machine all tracks are pre recorded and mostly a loop. Commonly an 808 drum machine like this one below is used.
Harmony
Grime uses mostly minor chords to add darkness
Here is a video:
Harmony
The chords in grime are minor chords. They give the music a bit of an edge and make it feel moody and dark.
Instrumentation
They use instruments like:
Drum machines, synths, brass sounds, strings, pianos, all of these are made using DAW’s.
Music Technology Developments
Grime is made using computers and sequencers. The use of technology is crucial to the style. The music is made using DAW’s. They make the drum beats in the DAW. In this video they show how to make a grime piece using FLstudio.
Sources of information
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grime_(music_genre)
Google search -https://www.nme.com/news/music/santan-dave-grime-rap-difference-video-2027048
My piece
This is my grime piece I have created with grime type instruments for instance:
. Grand Piano
. Bass
. Electric Piano
. boutique 909
I tried lots of different ideas to make the piece and it took me a long time to get going.
Structure – i have the same ideas repeated through the piece.
Melody – my piano does the melody
Rhythm – i used the boutique 909 for my drums
Harmony – i used some chords
Review of my grime piece
I used the piano in my piece because usually most of the time there is a piano in a grime song. it gives a good start to the piece of music being created. it allows an intro to pop through before the whole piece comes in together. The structure is simple and that suits grime music.
Then I chose to use the bass because it allows the music to sound more gritty and menacing. This is usually cause in grime they talk about beefing their enemies. the bass can also allow the beat to drop and then that would usually be the time where the rappers comes into the fold and starts spitting his bars.
I also used the electric piano just to allow an extra sound to come in and it can let you put extra sounds that are cut down in a certain part of the track.
The last instrument that I used was a hit machine these are good to use cause they have multiple sounds they allow you to use. It also allows the producer to get creative with the piece.
This is why I have chosen these instruments and these are good instruments to use because they are the type of instruments used for this genre of music.
My piece has the structure of Grimes it has the repetitive pattern that underscores rap. This is reinforced by the chords which keep the tempo at the same pace.
these are my endless chords which hold the beat and tempo of the piece
Here is my harsh bass which repeats the pattern of a dark bassline giving the piece a harsh undertone
.
This drum machine continues the beat of my grime
holding the subtle tone that rumbles throughout.
these are my other chords providing a repetitive harmony to the grime piece. Overall, i think the piece sounds like grime. It could be a bit more menacing. I used the sounds in the DAW well. If i could do it again i would spend more time on it.
here is my grime piece on mp3 after I bounced the piece down.
My piece is quite good. It met the brief because it has more than 4 tracks. It could be extending though because it is only 2 minutes long. I think it sounds a bit too happy. I am pleased with the drums. Overall,i need to add a few more ideas. I should try and make it sound a bit darker.