Two moves turn block chords into moving parts: arpeggiate the chords, and walk the scale by number instead of by name.
p |> arp "up" unrolls each chord in pattern p into a run — one note per step, bottom to top. "down", "updown", and "thumb" (bass note between every chord tone) are the other classic patterns.
Scale degrees walk melodies inside the key: !"^0 ^2 ^4 ^2" is degrees 0-2-4 of the ambient scale — in C minor, C-Eb-G. Change the key, the melody follows.
Degrees and numerals cover different jobs: numerals for chords, degrees for lines. Together a whole arrangement transposes from one key = line.
voiceLead p smooths a chord pattern: each chord re-voices to move as little as possible from the last — the difference between chords that jump and chords that melt.
The starting point#
The lesson opens with this song in the editor. Every edit recompiles and plays.
-- Arps & degrees: block chords standing still. Set them in motion.
key = "c minor"
pluck = patch {
source = saw (freq pitch),
ampEnv = adsr 1ms 160ms 0 120ms,
filtEnv = adsr 0ms 140ms 0 80ms,
cutoff = 500Hz + filtEnv * vel * 3000Hz,
gain = vel * 0.45
}
chords = play pluck !"<i VI III VII>"What to watch#
An arp turns one chord's simultaneous spikes into a moving line — the spectrum's peaks step up and down instead of standing still.
Goals#
The workbench checks these as you work; the solution is there when you want it.
- Arpeggiate the chords
- Walk scale degrees with ^
- Stretch: melt the pads with voiceLead
Make it yours#
Same progression three ways at once: voiceLead pads, an "updown" arp on a pluck, a ^-degree bassline. Mute each in turn — which one is carrying the song?
Further reading#
Chords, scales and harmony in the reference.