Fl Studio: Building Chord Progressions in the Piano Roll

Fl Studio Try it →Watch full video →Mix Elite | FL Studio Tips · Nov 2024

Demo summary

A hands-on demo of using Piano Roll helpers to select scales and drawing in a 1-5-6-4 chord progression, including tips on note voicing and octaves.

Step-by-step

Right-click the Note icon on the Piano Roll menu bar to open helpers
Select a scale type and a root note to update the background highlights
Place root notes for a progression, such as a 1-5-6-4 sequence
Build chords by stacking every third note, skipping one scale note in between
Select notes and press Control + Down Arrow to move them an octave lower
Double the root notes by holding Shift and dragging them one octave down to add fullness
Adjust voicing by selecting specific top notes and moving them an octave down to create smoother transitions

Options

Left-click the Note icon to enable 'Snap to Scale' to restrict note placement
Choose between different scale variations like Natural Minor or Harmonic Minor
Add a fourth note to chords (7ths) for a 'jazzy' sound

Watch out for

Snap to Scale prevents placing notes outside the chosen scale, which may limit 'happy accidents'

Tips

Start chord progressions with the root or bass note as the foundation
Use the 1-5-6-4 progression as a reliable, popular sequence
Hold Left Alt and right-click to preview notes quickly in the Piano Roll
Move the highest notes of a chord down an octave (voicing) to make the progression sound more smooth and less jumpy

Highlights

“to open helpers is very easy you can just right click on the Node icon”

All demos from “FL Studio Tutorial - Complete Music Producer 4h+ Course”

31:5514:39Building Chord Progressions in the Piano RollCurrentA hands-on demo of using Piano Roll helpers to select scales and drawing in a 1-5-6-4 chord progression, including tips on note voicing and octaves.Fl Studio· AI Melody & MIDI Generator
48:5912:17Melody and Bassline Creation with VitalDemonstrating how to use the Vital synthesizer to record a melody via a typing keyboard and creating a matching baseline by following root notes.Vital· AI Melody & MIDI Generator
1:02:5614:51Programming Trap Drums and Hi-Hat RollsThe instructor builds a trap drum loop, demonstrating kick and snare placement, hi-hat rolls using the graph editor, and swapping samples from the browser.Fl Studio· AI Beat Generator
1:17:476:58Programming House Drums and Using SwingA demonstration of creating a 'four-to-the-floor' house beat, layering claps, and applying the swing parameter to the drum pattern.Fl Studio· AI Beat Generator
1:53:5128:42Mixing with EQ and the FL Studio MixerA detailed walkthrough of routing instruments to the mixer and using Fruity Parametric EQ 2 to clean up frequencies and sculpt sounds.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
2:42:1011:30Sidechain Compression SetupThe instructor demonstrates setting up sidechain compression between the kick and the bass using Fruity Limiter's sidechain input.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
2:53:4010:19Adding Space with Reverb and DelayA demo of applying Fruity Reeverb 2 and Fruity Delay 3 to instruments to create depth and stereo width.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
3:03:595:26Creating Automation ClipsThe instructor demonstrates how to automate an EQ high-cut filter and reverb wetness over time in the Playlist.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
3:13:414:23Audio Recording and Editing in FL StudioA walkthrough of configuring ASIO drivers, arming tracks for recording, and using the slice tool to edit recorded audio clips.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
3:22:563:07Vocal Volume Automation in EdisonDemonstrating how to use the Edison audio editor to manually automate volume envelopes for a more consistent vocal performance.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
3:39:3612:20Vocal Mixing Chain: De-essing and Parallel ReverbA demo of using Maximus for de-essing and setting up a sidechained reverb bus to keep vocals clear while adding space.Fl Studio· AI Audio Editor
4:06:5421:23Mastering with Maximus and Soft ClippingThe final mastering walkthrough demonstrating multiband compression in Maximus, using a loudness meter, and applying soft clipping to reach commercial volume levels.Fl Studio· AI Mastering
Watch “FL Studio Tutorial - Complete Music Producer 4h+ Course” →

AI Melody & MIDI Generator

31:5514:39Building Chord Progressions in the Piano RollCurrentA hands-on demo of using Piano Roll helpers to select scales and drawing in a 1-5-6-4 chord progression, including tips on note voicing and octaves.Mix Elite | FL Studio Tips
10:214:44Building minor chords in the Piano RollA demonstration of using the Piano Roll to create minor chords using 'chord codes' (0-3-7) and duplicating notes to create octaves and fifths.Busy Works Beats
15:291:59Creating a Travis Scott style melodyThe instructor demonstrates how to write a Topline melody in the Piano Roll by using intervals of seven semitones and half-step movements.Busy Works Beats
10:131:00Chord inversions and bass notesDemonstration of manipulating MIDI notes using shortcuts to create chord inversions and adding root notes for a thicker bass foundation.Jay Cactus TV
12:060:26Using the Arpeggiator toolThe instructor shows how to use the Alt+A shortcut to open the Arpeggiator and break up chords into rhythmic melodic patterns.Jay Cactus TV
14:191:05Humanizing MIDI with Randomizer and StrumThe video demonstrates using Alt+R (Randomizer) to vary note velocity and Alt+S (Strum) to offset note start times for a more natural piano feel.Jay Cactus TV
16:011:46Layering melodies with Ghost ChannelsThe instructor uses the Flex plugin to add a violin counter-melody, utilizing 'Ghost Channels' to see the original piano notes for reference.Jay Cactus TV
23:177:07Creating a chord progressionA step-by-step walkthrough of building a C-major chord progression by placing notes in the Piano Roll and using octave shifts to thicken the sound.freeCodeCamp.org
6:360:23Composing a lead progressionThe creator demonstrates shortening the end of a lead sound and recording a weird jerk-type beat progression.tundra