Pulse and timing
- Perform with some sense of timing, either by performing using virtual instruments, or triggering and manipulating live loops
- Use automatic quantising to correct timing variations in recorded MIDI performances
Within some VSTis, learners can trigger individual samples with a sense of timing (e.g. Groove Agent in Cubase) or clips and scenes in DAWs like Ableton Live; this could be using 2 or 4 bar phrases. Show learners how to trigger the next intended musical phrase ahead of the beat, to ensure it switches in time.
DAWs will have a metronome or click track feature to facilitate performing in time.
Introduce learners to quantising. Quantising is featured in most DAWs and will snap MIDI notes to a defined note duration grid, often called the ‘piano roll’ (because the notes of the grid are in line with their positions on a piano keyboard). Learners used to the British system should be advised that the quantise function often uses the international duration definitions of:
- Semibreve is a ‘Whole Note’ or ‘1/1’
- Minim is a ‘Half Note’ or ‘1/2’
- Crotchet is a ‘Quarter Note’ or ‘1/4’
- Quaver is an ‘Eighth Note’ or ‘1/8’
- Semiquaver is a ‘Sixteenth Note or ‘1/16’
It is important to note that using automatic quantising on selected notes will move them to the nearest position on the defined grid; this may not necessarily be the desired position if the recorded performance has more drastic timing inaccuracies. It is advisable to encourage learners to record the best possible performance or manually move notes to the correct place on the grid.
When using the sequencer in any given DAW, encourage learners to change the tempo to suit their musical intentions.
Whilst a pre-made backing is playing, ask learners to demonstrate a sense of pulse by improvising using the virtual instruments within the session key or scale (e.g. major pentatonic, minor blues) which can be found in the DAW session master settings.
Typically when using loops, DAWs will match scales/keys and tempo. When using VSTis, guidance will need to be given to ensure appropriate note choices are made.
Explore the progression of this Learning Objective
Continue exploring the current Programme of Study
