Guided exercise: prepare three parts

Goal: a small arrangement in 4/4 at 120 BPM, based on four bars of material. Use a consistent harmonic source for piano and bass, plus a drum pattern.

1. Harmony

1. Open Modal Interchange and choose C as the tonal centre.
2. Create a four-chord custom progression, for example Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Am7.
3. Set one chord per bar and choose piano with an available voicing.
4. Listen to all four bars. Remove any unintended populated slots.
5. Send to the DAW and rename the track “Piano · harmony”.
6. Check the block occupies 16 beats. If not, return to the source and check the chord-change rate.

2. Bass

1. Open Modal Interchange and prepare the bass part in its source.
2. Use the same progression and select a compatible bass or double bass. Inspect the generated walking material and available style.
3. Listen to the connections between Dm7, G7, Cmaj7 and Am7, including the return to Dm7.
4. Send the notes to the DAW, name the track “Bass · walking” and align it with piano.

Alternatively use Bass Lines and Grooves, but compare its chord symbols and form with the piano first. Sharing a tonic alone does not guarantee the same progression.

3. Drums

1. Open Drum Licks directly from the menu.
2. Choose a 4/4 jazz pattern, four bars and 120 BPM.
3. Select Black Pearl and a fill every four bars. Start with little humanisation.
4. Listen, send with DAW and name the track “Drums · basic”.