Pulse and timing
- Perform with a good sense of timing, either by performing using virtual instruments, or triggering and manipulating samples within narrow timing windows (time snaps)
- Use automatic quantising to correct timing variations in recorded MIDI performances, and manual manipulation of notes on the piano roll to create a more natural groove, as appropriate to the desired musical outcome
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, with a good sense of timing. This could be using 1, 2 or 4 bar phrases. Ask learners to experiment triggering sounds within narrow timing windows using the ‘time snap’ feature and selecting either more forgiving parameters, such as 1 bar and 1/2 note, or more challenging parameters, such as 1/4, 1/8 or 1/16 note.
DAWs will have a metronome or click track feature to facilitate performing in time. As an alternative, learners could use a premade drum loop to perform to or create their own drum patterns.
It is important that loops used for performing to have a strong pulse so that a learner can easily follow it or, if using their own drumbeat, it is preferable that this is quantised so there is a regular pulse to perform to.
Support learners to further develop their skills in quantising. Quantising is featured in most DAWs and will snap MIDI notes to a defined note duration grid. 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 their chosen DAW, encourage learners to use the settings function to change the tempo and time signature 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.
These scales are just given as examples, but any of the many preset scales would be a viable option.
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