production through performance
Learn
4.2 VoiCE Leading
Different shapes are used in a keyboard part to make it easier to play and create a smoother transition between chords. Apply your knowledge ofplaying different chord shapes to write and record your own chord progression using this technique.
voice leading
Choose chord shapes that are close together.
Identify the nearest root location that can be played with either the thumb, middle finger, or pinky finger when playing consecutive chords
Apply the corresponding chord shape to create smooth voice leading.
REVIEW
Review the shape, root location, and finger placement for root position, first inversion, and second inversion chords.
Write
1 GET INSPIRED BY THE EXAMPLE DRUM AND BASS PART
Pay close attention to the doubling of the bass track and the octave jumps and leading tones used to give the line more movement.
2 WRITE AND RECORD THE DRUM AND BASS PARTS
Choose complimentary drum and bass sounds.
Compose and record a drum groove and bass line starting on measure 3.
Write your drum and bass part down on the Chord Composition Organizer →
Quantize the performances to the correct subdivision, trim the ends of the notes of the bass line, check note velocities to make sure they are even, and mix the volumes between the two tracks.
3 WRITE A CHORD PROGRESSION
Use the shapes in your right hand with voice leading to write a progression
Get ideas from the Chord Progression Page →
Experiment with different chord lengths to create the Harmonic Rhythm →
Copy the chords down on the Chord Progression Organizer →
4 CHECK YOUR PROGRESSION
Play your progression over the drum loop.
Optional Test it out by extending the drum look over a few measures and recording an improvisation of possible chord parts.
Listen back to the recording and determine the best progression and harmonic rhythm.
5 COMPLETE THE ORGANIZER
Determine the best inversion and octave for the first chord and figure out the voice leading for the rest of the progression.
Write the chord down on the project organizer.
Be sure to write down the letter names AND octave numbers for the notes in each chord.
Practice
6 PREPARE TO RECORD
Play the chord progression with the correct harmonic rhythm and voice leading at a slow tempo.
This about each shape as a unit using the finger with the root as the target.
Speed up the tempo until you are at the target tempo of the song.
Work towards gaining muscle memory in your right hand while playing the part.
You can also work out common shape movements with This Workout Video →
Record
7 RECORD THE CHORD PART
Know the expectations! Review the Rubric →
Record the chordal part using inversions.
Be sure to use the same pressure in each finger of the shape.
There are two measures of intro in this section. DON’T START RECORDING UNTIL MEASURE 3!
8 EDIT THE TAKE
Quantize the performance to the corresponding subdivision.
Trim the ends of the notes to the correct note value.
Check the velocities of each note.
Listen to all of the parts together and adjust the volumes to create a cohesive mix.
Reflect on how you did with the Self Assessment →
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Record four measure of the drum groove on one track starting at measure 3.
Create a bass track.
Record a performance of the moving bass line.
Create a keyboard track.
Record a performance of the inverted triads each chord is held for four beats.
Quantize the performance for the drum, bass, and keyboard parts to the correct subdivision.
Trim the ends of the notes in the bass line and chord part to match the organizer.