Chords
You should have a chord sequence of four chords in your project. You may have your own sequence, or you may have used my recommended sequence. Chords should last for 4 beats each. My chords are:
A minor (ACE) G major (GBD) E minor (EGB) F major (FAC)
Suggested instrument: Bosendorfer Grand Piano, any other piano
You should have a chord sequence of four chords in your project. You may have your own sequence, or you may have used my recommended sequence. Chords should last for 4 beats each. My chords are:
A minor (ACE) G major (GBD) E minor (EGB) F major (FAC)
Suggested instrument: Bosendorfer Grand Piano, any other piano
Bass Line
Your bass line will be recorded in a new track. You should choose an appropriate instrument. The bass notes that will fit are the root (bottom) note of each of your chords. For example, in my sequence the bass line would be:
A G E F
Suggested instrument: Liverpool Bass, Subby Bass
Your bass line will be recorded in a new track. You should choose an appropriate instrument. The bass notes that will fit are the root (bottom) note of each of your chords. For example, in my sequence the bass line would be:
A G E F
Suggested instrument: Liverpool Bass, Subby Bass
Offbeat Claps
You will need to use a software instrument called Boom Bap, recording clap sounds on beats 2 and 4 of each bar. To do this, use the piano roll or E flat key on your MIDI keyboard.
Suggested instrument: Boom Bap
You will need to use a software instrument called Boom Bap, recording clap sounds on beats 2 and 4 of each bar. To do this, use the piano roll or E flat key on your MIDI keyboard.
Suggested instrument: Boom Bap
Repeating Riff
One way of doing this is to take the middle note from each chord in your sequence and play that with a catchy rhythm through each bar. For example, if recording a repeating riff for my chord sequence I would use play the following:
CCCCCCCC BBBBBBBB GGGGGGGG AAAAAAAA
Another helpful tip is to think of a sentence that you find catchy - for example 'fish and chips and salt and vinegar' and use this repeated on each note.
Suggested instrument: Marimba, Classic Clean, Realistic Vibes, Ethereal Mallets
One way of doing this is to take the middle note from each chord in your sequence and play that with a catchy rhythm through each bar. For example, if recording a repeating riff for my chord sequence I would use play the following:
CCCCCCCC BBBBBBBB GGGGGGGG AAAAAAAA
Another helpful tip is to think of a sentence that you find catchy - for example 'fish and chips and salt and vinegar' and use this repeated on each note.
Suggested instrument: Marimba, Classic Clean, Realistic Vibes, Ethereal Mallets
Synth Melody
This is different from your repeating riff because it should be more lyrical, like a tune that someone could sing. When thinking about what notes would work, refer to your first bass note and use the five notes that ascend from this. This is your chance to be creative!
Suggested instrument: Icy Synth Lead, Mysterious Synth Lead, Glossy FM Lead
This is different from your repeating riff because it should be more lyrical, like a tune that someone could sing. When thinking about what notes would work, refer to your first bass note and use the five notes that ascend from this. This is your chance to be creative!
Suggested instrument: Icy Synth Lead, Mysterious Synth Lead, Glossy FM Lead
Kick Drum
Created in a similar way to the offbeat claps, this is recorded in using the bottom C key on your keyboard on the instrument Boom Bap. This should start part way through Section B and get faster as you approach the drop. It should then settle into a four on the floor pattern for the rest of the piece.
Created in a similar way to the offbeat claps, this is recorded in using the bottom C key on your keyboard on the instrument Boom Bap. This should start part way through Section B and get faster as you approach the drop. It should then settle into a four on the floor pattern for the rest of the piece.
Drum Groove
Depending on the time available and your confidence, you can do either of the options below:
Option 1: Create a new track and select drummer. Choose an appropriate kit and drummer and ensure this happens from the drop onwards.
Option 2: Use Ultrabeat Drum Sequencer to create an appropriate drum groove, and insert this into your track.
Remember to aim for a four on the floor beat.
Depending on the time available and your confidence, you can do either of the options below:
Option 1: Create a new track and select drummer. Choose an appropriate kit and drummer and ensure this happens from the drop onwards.
Option 2: Use Ultrabeat Drum Sequencer to create an appropriate drum groove, and insert this into your track.
Remember to aim for a four on the floor beat.
What next?
Think about how to improve your project to make it truly unique. You may wish to add in ambient sounds in the breakdown, you may wish to use automation to change the volume or EQ. You may want to extend your Section C to include a modulation!
Think about how to improve your project to make it truly unique. You may wish to add in ambient sounds in the breakdown, you may wish to use automation to change the volume or EQ. You may want to extend your Section C to include a modulation!
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