Ableton Push 2 - Primed and Ready

Introduction to the section

Quick look at the arpeggiator settings and an explanation of what’s happening on the bass device chain.

Explaining how the sub track uses MIDI inputs to inherit (PreFX) the MIDI notes from the bass track and transposing it down in Operator.

See how the grand piano chain uses compound arpeggiators and a pitch MIDI device to create an automatic melody out of the bass line.

The “Dance Dot” instrument preset has a slightly different MIDI routing setup.

Final overview of the layering approach to the sample Ableton set (including the pad track).

Listen to each track and HEAR how they come together. This lesson also explains the creative decisions behind each layer.

Suggested steps for applying what you’ve learned in this section.

Let’s get to know the chromatic scale and see how we can use whole steps and half steps to generate any major scale (from the chromatic scale).

We’ll identify the relative minor scale to start gaining access to minor tonalities.

Building triads from each scale degree helps us identify all the chords in any key. We’ll also start using roman numerals to identify chords numerically.

Building triads from each scale degree helps us identify all the chords in any key. We’ll also start using roman numerals to identify chords numerically.

Using numerals to talk about chord progressions allows us some important and valuable flexibility. Let’s see this applied to actual, common chord progressions.

Learn several keyboard shortcuts that will speed up your workflow when editing or composing MIDI in Ableton Live.

Walkthrough creating a simple C-F-G-C chord progression using keyboard commands to speed up your workflow.

Discover how easy it can be to create a complete chord progression by using the chord MIDI device to add additional voices to a root note.

Discover how easy it can be to create a complete chord progression by using the chord MIDI device to add additional voices to a root note.

Learn why and how using the interval of a perfect 5th (or perfect 4th) always works in the sub for both minor and major chords.

Walkthrough the process of creating complex, original melodic patterns by using multiple arpeggiators, chord and scale devices in parallel device chains.

The scale device is extremely helpful for *fixing* any notes that the chord device might create that is outside of your key. Let’s see how it works and when it saves your skin!

I’ll explain how to complete a project that will hone your skills from this section.

An overview of what this section on pad patterns is all about.

Learn about setting a scale/key, interpreting the pad colors and setting track color on Push 2.

Learn to find common I, IV and V chords on the Push (using In Key mode). We’ll discover a simple triangle pattern for playing the most used chords.

Demonstration of a common chord progression, it’s bass line (using chord roots) and introduction to the melodic sequencer layout.

Hear the emotional difference when playing chord extensions and compound chords. These chords are just as easy to play, but have a totally different sound!

Let’s take a look at using chord extensions and compound chords with an arpeggiator to create more interesting patterns.

All rhythms can be built from beat patterns divisible by 2 (duple) or 3 (triple). Here, we’ll investigate how duple, triple and a mix of both explains familiar rhythms.

By contrasting a duple grid with a triple grid in the Ableton MIDI editor, we can create much more interesting rhythms quite easily.

We can move the different parts of our polyrhythm into different tracks/clips and make very managable (but still very interesting) rhythms!

Delay can function as a rhythmic tool. Here, we look at what dotted rhythms actually mean and how to use them to establish a triple-oriented delay rhythm.

Quantizing can actually kill your track! One of the best ways to make quantized beats sound more human is to use randomizing with MIDI velocities.

Let’s build a solid 808-based House beat - one of the most recognizable beats in EDM.

Let’s build a UK Garage beat - a descendant of the house beat. However, the addition of 1/16th based accents gives this beat its flavor.

Now, we’ll evolve from UK Garage although we’ll move far away from the standard House beat. Let’s build this common beat pattern on the Push 2.

I’ll share a couple of my favorite “secret” features on the Push 2 for making beats and finger drumming. Plus, I’ll remind you how to start using what you’ve learned by recommending a project to complete.

An explanation of what pitch is and how register can change, but still retain the same pitch name.

An explanation of how certain pitches can have 2 names (using sharps and flats).

View these musical building blocks on the piano roll.

What is the chromatic scale? Let’s take a quick look on the piano roll.

Learn a formula (built from whole steps and half steps) for creating any major scale!

Learn a formula (built from whole steps and half steps) for creating any MINOR scale.

An explanation of how the root, 3rd and 5th of a major (or minor) scale is also called an arpeggio. Arpeggios contain the notes of a chord, but are played horizontally (over time).

We’ll take a look at the key of Cm, it’s flat notes and how that is represented by classical notation’s key signatures. This is helpful for students interfacing notation in their music.

Clearly breakdown the difference between tempo and pace - contrasting 1/4s and 1/8ths against an unchanging tempo using 1/8th note subdivisions.

Continue subdividing 1/8ths into 1/16ths to get smaller subdivisions… but still NO change to the tempo.

Finally, let’s look at triplets, triple time and how this subdivision breaks down against the grid in the piano roll in ableton.