Harmony Lab

In this lab we will learn how to make chord and bass line for a song. We will show two chord progression methods - with Midi effect (H1) and using simpler instrument to play a  chord sample (H2).

Method H1:

- Create a Midi track with synth of your choice. Drop Chord and Scale Midi effects on the track.

- Set the Chord effect to major chord or dominant 7

- Select the C major scale for the scale effect

Method H2:

- Find an audio recording that has an interesting chord progression. You can select a sample from Ableton Demo Songs or download from the web.

- Select a region in the recording that corresponds to one chord that you like. Crop the clip so you are left just with that one chord.

- Create a Midi track and drop onto it a simpler instrument. Drop the chord sample onto simpler.

Note: this technique is common various types of electronica. Major chords are more common in Rave and minor in House and Garage.

For both H1 and H2: Record or use a pencil tool to draw a midi melody in low register (C2 or lower). You can set the grid size from the Option menu and drag the note ends to change the duration.

 

Ideas for the harmony driving melody could any  chord progression such as CC | FC | GC  of 12 blues  or other  progressions (see wikipedia for "Pop-punk chord progression" or "The Axis of Awesome").

 

Bass line:

- Repeat the steps of H1, but this time add an Arpeggiator effect at the end of the Midi effects chain (before the synth). Also you might want to choose a different synth that sounds better as a bass. Use the same Midi clip as in H1 to drive this track. Experiment with more complex chords and different Arpeggiator setting.

Rhythm and Melody / lead line: The assignment does not include the drum track of melody line, but you might would want to add one to make this sound as a complete piece. You can record your own drum loop and melody or find a drum loop or a-cappella clip on cc-mxister and so on. This part if optional.

This lab is not graded and has to be completed and shown during the lab class. 

Submission instructions: 

Create two short examples using the two H methods. Save the Ableton sets and show to the instructor and/or TA during lab time.