Unconventional Music Composition Techniques: Effortlessly Crafting catchy Tunes through Irregular Chords and Progressions
In the realm of music production, Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, and Maya Jane Coles, a renowned DJ and producer, have each made significant contributions to the industry with their unique styles. Now, Chris Martin, the Course Content Developer at a prestigious music school, is sharing his insights on how to create catchy hooks and basslines using broken chords and arpeggios, inspired by Maya Jane Coles' "What They Say."
Follow these steps to compose your own tracks that embody the compelling, groove-driven style heard in Maya Jane Coles' productions, while channeling Chris Martin's melodic sensibility:
1. **Understand the Musical Elements**
Broken chords and arpeggios involve playing the notes of a chord sequentially rather than simultaneously. This technique creates flowing melodic patterns that can serve as both hooks and basslines. Chris Martin often employs arpeggiated patterns in hooks, creating emotive melodic phrasing that complements the vocal melody. Maya Jane Coles' "What They Say" features deep, rolling basslines and intricate arpeggiated synths that blend rhythmic groove with melodic interest, creating a hypnotic house/techno atmosphere.
2. **Set Up Your Ableton Live Session**
To emulate the warm, textured synths found in Maya Jane Coles' productions, choose a suitable synth or sampler patch for your arpeggios and basslines. Utilize Ableton's Arpeggiator MIDI effect on a synth track to create broken chord patterns easily. For basslines, use a sub bass or rounded bass synth with a clean low end.
3. **Compose Broken Chord Arpeggios for Hooks**
Start by selecting a chord progression that suits the mood (e.g., minor 7ths or suspended chords often used in chill/house tracks). Apply the Arpeggiator effect in Ableton: set the rate to sync with your project tempo (1/8 or 1/16 notes create rhythmic movement), experiment with pattern types (up, down, up-down), and gate lengths to add groove. Play or program simple melodic motifs using the notes of these chords to create a catchy hook. Add subtle modulation or filter automation for dynamic interest.
4. **Design Basslines with Broken Chords**
Use the root notes of the chords for your bassline, but add rhythmic variation by breaking the notes into smaller parts (e.g., playing the root and the fifth in a broken pattern). Emphasize groove by syncing bass notes with drum hits or off-beats, similar to the shuffling feel in "What They Say." Layer a sub-bass underneath your more melodic broken bass notes to maintain clarity and depth.
5. **Tips Inspired by Chris Martin & Maya Jane Coles**
- Keep hooks melodic and simple but emotionally expressive; use arpeggios to build atmosphere without overcrowding. - Prioritize groove, subtle variations, and texture. Use effects like delay and reverb to give broken chords space and movement. - Combine live playing and MIDI editing in Ableton for natural-sounding arpeggios. - Use sidechain compression to make basslines pump with the kick, enhancing the track's rhythm.
6. **Practical Example in Ableton Live**
- Load a soft synth (e.g., Ableton's Wavetable or Analog). - Create a MIDI clip with a chord progression (e.g., Am7 - Dm7). - Add Ableton's Arpeggiator effect on this track, set to 1/8 note rate, up pattern. - Create a complementary MIDI bass track with root notes and broken rhythmic patterns. - Apply EQ and compression; add subtle delay/reverb on arpeggios. - Experiment with automation to build tension and release.
By combining arpeggiated chord hooks and rhythmic broken basslines in Ableton, you can emulate the compelling, groove-driven style heard in Maya Jane Coles' "What They Say," while channeling Chris Martin's melodic sensibility, resulting in memorable and danceable tracks.
The school offering these courses has campuses in London, Los Angeles, and online. Registering with the school grants access to a range of free sounds, plugins, online course samples, and tutorials. To access these resources, users must register and visit the Free Stuff page. The school currently offers a 15% discount on Professional London, LA, Online, and Ibiza courses until 18th April with the code EASTER15. The video demonstration is from the Music Production and Sound Engineering Intro to Production (Ableton) module. This technique is applicable across genres such as trap and techno for creating catchy melodic hooks and basslines.
Utilize your knowledge of broken chords and arpeggios to craft hooks and basslines in the vein of Maya Jane Coles and Chris Martin. This entails composing melodic arpeggios for hooks using a chord progression, Ableton Live's Arpeggiator effect, and employing native synths or samplers for basslines. Education and self-development can be fostered through understanding musical elements and applying techniques in renowned music schools like the one taught by Chris Martin, offering courses on Ableton Live. Additionally, entertainment can be derived from music production, allowing creators to express themselves and produce captivating tracks.
