1 How and where to start?
All beginnings are difficult… is not just a saying, there is an incredible amount of truth to it. Often it is enough to overcome the initial hurdle to get the flow going. To make this easier, it is useful to simplify the access or to keep the way as short as possible. In other words, it helps me to have a synth or keyboard permanently within reach. This way I can spontaneously „hit the keys“ at any time, play a melody during short waiting pauses or drum a beat just for fun, without having to awkwardly select a plug-in or connect a synth.
Duration: instant | Level: Easy
2 What makes a good hookline?
There is only a vague answer to this, because the music style sets the direction. For most songs with a Pop character, the melody should be simple. Repetitive enough over four bars to be memorable, but varied enough to avoid boredom. Classically, there is a chord change after each bar. More on that in a moment. For a hypnotic Techno track, on the other hand, a permanently repeating pattern - usually over just one bar in length - is the better choice.
Duration: instant | Level: Easy
3 Don’t start tinkering
If you produce a song for a longer time, you tend to make unnecessary changes, because you have heard all the elements included several times before. But always remember: your audience is hearing the song for the first time. If in doubt, take a break.
Duration: instant | Level: Easy
4 Stay with a vibe
Anti-keyboard virtuosos like us like to make use of scales, because they provide a certain basic tuning by limiting us to certain notes. Most DAWs now allow you to use scales directly in the Piano Editor. In FL Studio, press the arrow icon, then under Helpers select Scale Highlightening and the desired pitch with scale. In Ableton Live 11, the selection can be found in the clip properties and in Cubase it is the Scale Assistant. Most songs consist of four chords, but of course this is not a law. It can be fewer or it can be more. Throwing in alternative chord progressions can also be absolutely delightful and bring a breath of fresh air to a song, more on that in a moment. But be careful not to irritate the audience with too many or too quick changes.
Duration: 10 Seconds | Level: Easy
Audio demo
5 Problems with chords? Tools help!
Tools like Scales & Chords from Reason or Scaler 2 from Plugin Boutique are our favorite helpers when it comes to playing full chords, but still only having to press one note. Granted, the learning effect may not be the greatest and you won‘t become a music teacher with it, but sometimes that may not
