We're back in the studio to work on creating chords and a bass line that go with the amazing rhythms that we created. CHORDS are two or more notes played together - they can add hold together the rest of the music - the bass, rhythm, and melody. BASS is the low end that holds the root of the chords and the feel of the groove. How does it sound to you when different notes and chords are combined? Do you wonder how the pitches work with each other? This is your first step into music theory, and your mission is to learn how to use Soundtrap to record, input, and change notes, as you and your band experiment with chords and bass.
Step 1: In Soundtrap, we explore the chords and the bass line, in a song called “Lean On Me.” What do the chords do in a song? What does the bass do? Discuss.
Step 2: Chords - In your lane, on the Chord (keyboard) track, create at least two chords with at least two notes in each chord: this is the start of a chord progression.
Step 3: Remix - Use the piano roll to edit your chords - you can add/remove notes and change the pitch and timing of your chords. Remember to listen to the results as you make changes, so that you end up with something you like.
Step 4: Bass - Now add a simple bass line on the Bass track in your lane. A good start could be to use the lowest (bottom) note of each of your chords. This can lead to a groovy bass line.
Exemplary (5)
Proficient (4): 5 of 6 complete
Progressing (3): At least 3 complete
Emerging (2): At least 1 complete
Beginning (1): 0 complete
Video: Latency fix in Soundtrap, by Manweiller Music, YouTube.com, August 2020
Video: The Grid and Quantizing in Soundtrap, by MusicEdTech, YouTube.com, March 2020
Video: Playing & Recording Chords Using Computer, MusicEdTech, YouTube.com, April 2020
Video: Playing and recording chords, by Clark Eagling, YouTube.com, May 2017
Video: Adding a Bassline by Duplicating Tracks, by Clark Eagling, YouTube.com, May 2017