The Truth about Music
- We are all born knowing how to tap our feet, sing and enjoy music.
- Just like the human language, music is an Instinct.
- Music both unifies and equalizes people.
- Music is a language of feeling and through it, people get to know the real us.
- Anyone can learn music how to play music, regardless of age, creed, or sexual orientation.
- Music is easy to learn. All you have to do is start and give yourself space to succeed.
- Music is a marathon. Slow down and enjoy the journey.
Why Electronic Music?
- Start making music right away while you develop rhythm and timing.
- Simplify learning by separating music theory from learning how to play an instrument.
- Learn one instrument, and play hundreds of other instruments.
- Learn live looping and become a one-person orchestra.
- Use filters and special effects to craft your super special sounds.
- Learn how to produce your own music and share it with others.
- Music is music. You will become better at playing normal instruments.
Why Grid Controllers?
- Launchpads are similar to computer keyboards, making them an ideal choice for those that already know how to type.
- They're affordable with prices ranging from $100 to $350 for new models. Used and refurbished units are much cheaper.
- They're multi-purpose. You can play piano, and viola and lay down the drum track with a single controller.
- They'll grow with you. As you get better at music you can expand your setup and add more launchpads to your arsenal.
What are Notes 🎶
- In their simplest form notes are symbols for a sound.
- Western music uses 12 notes, to denote 12 distinct sounds.
- Instead of using numbers, we can use letters to represent them.
- It's easiest to think of it as a musical alphabet.
Sharps♯ and Flats♭
- The notes with the hash sign (♯) are called sharps.
- The notes without sharps are called natural notes.
- Sharps notes (♯) have an alternate name, called flats (♭).
- For example, C♯ is equivalent to D♭.
- In music theory the notes C♯ and D♭ are considered enharmonic, meaning they represent the same pitch.
- The main purpose of enharmonic notes is to improve readability.
- The sequence B♭-B♮-B♭ is easier to read with the enharmonic spelling of B♭-C♭-B♭.
The Octaves 🎶
- On a grid controller, the notes are laid out from the bottom left to the top right.
- They start with the C, go up to B, and then repeat.
- The distance from C to B is called an Octave.
- Every time the pattern repeats a new Octave begins.
- Let's highlight the C to make it easier to see every time the notes wrap around.
- We're going to put the octave number in parenthesis to make it easier to visualize octave changes.
- As the octave increases so does the Pitch making the note sound Higher.
- The note (or the flavor) itself doesn't change, just how it sounds.
- Food can be salty, and get saltier (pitch going up), but it doesn't magically become sweet (another note).
- Below is note C played along 6 different octaves using the Piano voicing.
Let's add color 🎨
- The color will make things easier to remember, by associating letters with colors.
- Now lets rearrange things back into a grid.
- We'll be using this notation throughout this site.
Take your Time 🧘🏼♀️
- Learning to use the grid controller is no different than using a computer keyboard.
- In the beginning, you will look at the controller to find the notes you are looking for.
- Over time you will develop muscle memory and will know which button to press based on the sound you want to produce.
Tuning the Launchpad ⚒
- Launchpad Mini does not have the note mode, but it does have a custom mode. You can use it to create a layout that mirrors any of the tunings of Launchpad X or Launchpad Pro.
Sequential Arrangement
- Notes appear in sequence and do not repeat.
- 5½ octaves are available. The most of any other arrangement.
- Good for playing with both hands.
- Many chords may be difficult to play with one hand.
Two Finger Layout
- 1½ Octaves are available.
- The same note may be repeated up to 4 times.
- Most chord shapes are available for the same chord.
Three Finger Layout
- 2½ Octaves are available.
- The same note may be repeated up to 3 times.
- Fewer chord shapes are available for the same chord.
Four Finger Layout
- 3 Octaves are available.
- The same note may be repeated up to 2 times.
- Fewer chord shapes are available for the same chord.
- The grid is split in half making it the easiest to play with both hands.
Five Finger Layout
- 4½ Octaves are available.
- The same note may be repeated only once.
- The last chord shapes are available for the same chord.
- Offers a good balance between playability and the number of octaves available.
Chords 🎹
- Chords are made up of notes played simultaneously.
- There are over 4,000 possible chords. It is impossible to memorize all of them, and you don't have to.
- Chords sound different on different instruments, because of the overtones.
- Different chords make people feel different emotions. Major chords are considered happy, minor chords are considered sad.
Essential Chords 🎻
- Cmaj, Gmaj, Amin, and Fmaj are the 4 most popular chords used in pop. music.
- They can also be written as C, G, Am, and F.
- They can be arranged in a different order to transmit different emotions.
References
Mithen, Steven. (2009). The music instinct: the evolutionary basis of musicality. Ann N Y Acad Sci..
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