Bandlab: Composing melodies with Smart Keys and MIDI editor

Step-by-step

1. Select a virtual instrument from the menu.
2. Open the MIDI editor.
3. Enable the Smart View feature.
4. Set the key to G and the scale to Minor.
5. Click or draw notes on the grid that align with the highlighted key indicators.
6. Press Option and drag a MIDI clip to copy and duplicate it for variations.

Options

• Play notes directly on the virtual keyboard using the yellow dot indicators
• Draw notes manually within the MIDI editor grid

Watch out for

• The project key must be established (e.g., G Minor) for the software to pre-write chord and note constraints.

Tips

• Use Smart Keys to ensure you stay in key even if you lack music theory knowledge.
• Focus on playing notes that sound good to your ear once the scale constraints are active.
• Add variations to your melody by duplicating sections and changing specific notes in the second half.

Highlights

“you don't need to have like music theory knowledge to figure this out especially because the smart keys make sure you stay in key”