CHORD PROGRESSIONS
For this project you will record your own popular chord progressions to create original loops.
Project Sample mx7 file
PROJECT DUE - Wednesday, October 2
OUTLINE
- Diatonic triad lesson at www.musictheory.net
- Common chords in the key of C Major
- I = C, E, G
- IV = F, A, C
- V = G, B, D
- vi = A, C, E
- Common progressions to record (you will record all of the following)
- I - V - IV - V
- I - IV - vi - V
- I - vi - IV - V
- vi - V - IV - V
- I - V - vi - IV
- Create a project folder on your flash drive to contain all your progressions named My Chord Progressions_LastnameF
- Open a new Mixcraft file with the following settings:
- 1 Virtual Instrument
- Snap Setting - Grid
- Mode - Beats
- Tempo between 72 and 100
- Key C (or another key if you are comfortable)
- Time Signature 4/4
- Using the MIDI keyboard record all 5 of the progressions listed above in the Key of C Major (or other keys if you wish)
- Set the metronome to play a Count-In and during recording
- You can rearrange the order of the notes in each chord, e.g. The IV chord (F, A, C) can be played C, F, A
- As can be seen in Measure 3 of Track 1 in the sample provided above
- This is an example of a chord played in an inversion
- You can slow down the tempo to make recording easier, then speed it up to the desired tempo
- Insert timeline markers for each chord and label them with the Roman numeral of the chord (see sample)
- Save each progression as a different Mixcraft file with the progression and instrument
- e.g. I V IV V_Strings
- Choose a different virtual instrument for each progression
- Each progression should be unique in sound as well as in style and rhythms
- Each chord should be one or two measures long (so each loop will be either 4 or 8 measures long)
- Play around with voicings and rhythms to make each recording is interesting/unique
- Listen to the loops in Mixcraft for guidance but try your best to be original.
Common Chords in the Key of C Major
- Roman Numeral - Notes
- I - C, E, G
- IV - F, A, C
- V - G, B, D
- vi - A, C, E
ADD A BASS LINE
- Add a bass line to each chord progression
- Add a virtual instrument track and choose a bass instrument that sounds good with the chords.
- You will likely need to lower the octave of your controller
- As a guide, the first beat in each measure should be the root of the chord
- The root is the first note of each triad listed above.
- E.g. C is the root of the I chord (C, E, G) and G is the root of the V chord (G, B, D)
- You could just repeat the root and add a little rhythm (but that is not that interesting)
- You can skip around the notes of each chord, for a V chord play G - B - D - B
- Or you can add notes not in the chord to connect notes that are in the chord.
- E.g. for a V to I progression, play G - F - E - D - C, the C being the root of the the I chord.
- Or, use a combination of skips and connecting notes (like in the sample)
- You want the last note in each measure to make a smooth transition to the next chord.
- Your ear will be the best guide here
- Approaching the root from one note away almost always works, just like the previous example.
- Focus on wrapping the last measure back to the first so it will work well when looped.
- Re-save each chord progression with your newly added bass line.
ADD BACKGROUNDS
Add backgrounds to the each chord progression and bass line
- Add at least one virtual instrument track
- Choose a new instrument that sounds good with your chords and bass
- Backgrounds can be just about anything, try a short rhythm that repeats for each measure
- The rhythm should be different than the chords and the bass line
- Do NOT use the same rhythm as your bass and chords for your backgrounds
- There are two examples of backgrounds in the sample
- The notes you use should match those in the chord and be in a new range of the keyboard
- Most likely your notes should be a little higher than your chords, but try different ranges and choose what sounds best
- You can play chords, break up the notes in the chord, or play a short one note motive (a short musical idea)
- Too many notes in one area of the keyboard will start to sound muddy
- Balance your tracks
- Which track should be the most prominent?
- Which track should be more in the background?
- Save each progression
ADD DRUMS (if you have time)
- Create an appropriate drum track or tracks to enhance each progression
MIX VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT TRACKS TO AUDIO TRACKS AND ADD TO LIBRARY
- On each virtual instrument track
- Right click on the name of the track OR Select track then click on Track in the menu
- Click on "Mix To Audio Track", an audio track will be added below the virtual instrument track
- You will likely need to edit the length of the loop in the timeline and in the sound editor
- You may also need to use envelopes to help eliminate any unwanted clips/pops in the new loop
- Right click on the new audio track in the timeline OR Select audio track then click Sound in the menu
- Click on "Add To Library"
- Edit the fields and check boxes as necessary
- Library should be something like "My Loops", "Original Loops" etc...
- Sound Kit should refer to the style, "Jazz", "Classic Rock", "Metal", "Electronica", etc...
- You now have a bunch of custom loops that can be used in new compositions
PROJECT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Make sure all progressions are saved in one folder that only contains files for this project:
- My Chord Progressions_LastnameF
- Save this project folder to a flash drive
- Bring flash drive to Mr. Shearer
RUBRIC (40 points)
- 10 - Following project instructions
- 10 - Correct chord progressions
- 10 - Progression sound nice (correct notes, good balance, smooth transitions, instruments complement each other)
- 10 - Originality/Creativity