{"id":13132,"date":"2020-11-10T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=13132"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:20:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T18:20:29","slug":"chords-hooks-beats-without-music-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/chords-hooks-beats-without-music-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create chords, hooks, and beats in Ableton Live 10 (without music theory)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Today\u2019s technologies allow us to just open up a computer and start creating, without any prior formal experience with music theory.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I had the pleasure of creating another tutorial video for Splice, and this time I wanted to share some compositional techniques for people who don&#8217;t know much about music theory. See the full video above, and also read below for highlights from each of the three topic areas: chords, hooks, and <a aria-label=\"drum beats. (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/how-to-make-beats-for-a-song\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">drum beats.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-401e1da9bd64023b4473a358de1ffd68\" style=\"background-color:#62daff\"><a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/plans\/ableton-live\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Splice is now integrated into Ableton Live\u2014discover how to search, filter, and audition Splice sounds, all synced to your project\u2019s key and tempo.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the video, I use <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Splice samples (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/features\/sounds\" target=\"_blank\">Splice samples<\/a> to create instruments, which I then converted to chords and a chord progression (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here's the Collection (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/sounds\/collections\/LNA_Music\/oA4b4F1pPwZjr9hI2kkOXdXNGDQ\" target=\"_blank\">here&#8217;s the Collection<\/a> containing the specific sounds I used).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When using samples, it\u2019s important to make sure they fit together with the scale or key of your song. Here&#8217;s how to make that happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>First, add the sample into <strong>Simpler<\/strong> (or another sampler of your choice) <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add a <strong>Tuner<\/strong> after the instance of Simpler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Play middle C using your keyboard or controller<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transpose the sample within Simpler until the Tuner also displays &#8216;C&#8217;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>With that step completed, we can start to create chords using the sample:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Add a <strong>Chord<\/strong> MIDI effect<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the shift controls to create notes that will play together with your root note \u2013&nbsp;stacking +3 and +7 will give you a minor triad, while +4 and +7 will give you a major triad<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish to venture outside of the C major or C minor scales, you can add a MIDI effect called <strong>Scale<\/strong> after the Chord effect. After selecting the C major or C minor preset, you can adjust the <strong>Base <\/strong>parameter to transpose to whatever key you want to work in. From there, simply create a MIDI clip, draw in some notes, and you have a chord progression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"421\" data-src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01.png\" alt=\"ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01\" class=\"wp-image-13139 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01.png 825w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01-400x204.png 400w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01-355x181.png 355w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-chords-in-post-01-768x392.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 825px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 825\/421;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a aria-label=\"If you are interested in learning the fundamental music theory of harmony, check out our in-depth article here. (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/an-introduction-to-harmony\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">If you <em>are<\/em> interested in learning the fundamental music theory behind chords and chord progressions, check out our in-depth article here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hooks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Melodies, or &#8216;hooks,&#8217; can sometimes be difficult to create, especially if you don&#8217;t have an immediate feel for what would fit together with your other instruments. If you don&#8217;t know where to start, below are two techniques you can utilize to craft your own hooks (check out 5:16 of the video to hear them in action).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Manipulate your sample<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Try copying a sample (or a previously-created chord) into an <strong>Audio Clip<\/strong>. From there, try adjusting different parameters \u2013 reverse it, change its speed, and transpose its pitch (ex. +12 semitones). Then, use the <strong>Warp<\/strong> markers to manipulate the overall structure \u2013&nbsp;this always works like a charm!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Experiment with arpeggiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, you can drop a sample you like into another instance of Simpler and crop it down to a brief segment. From there, add the <strong>Arpeggiator <\/strong>MIDI effect before Simpler, and play around with the controls such as <strong>Style<\/strong>, <strong>Rate<\/strong>, <strong>Steps<\/strong>, <strong>Distance<\/strong>, and <strong>Repeats<\/strong> until you arrive to something of your liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"889\" height=\"376\" data-src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03.png\" alt=\"ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03\" class=\"wp-image-13141 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03.png 889w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03-400x169.png 400w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03-355x150.png 355w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-hooks-in-post-03-768x325.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 889px) 100vw, 889px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 889px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 889\/376;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a aria-label=\"If you are interested in learning the fundamental music theory behind melodies and hooks, check out our in-depth article here. (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/an-introduction-to-melody\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">If you <em>are<\/em> interested in learning the fundamental music theory behind melodies and hooks, check out our in-depth article here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drum beats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While I&#8217;m not a drummer myself, the technique below has been helpful in allowing me to generate rhythms, without going into a lot of detail in respect to music theory (check out 10:21 of the video to hear the process in action):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Import at least 3 samples to a <strong>Drum Rack<\/strong> (assigned to the slots C1, D1, E1, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Add an <strong>Arpeggiator<\/strong> before the Drum Rack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a <strong>MIDI Clip<\/strong> for your track, draw just one MIDI note that corresponds with one of the aforementioned slots (ex. C1), and stretch it so that it spans the length of the whole sample<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the controls within Arpeggiator to create a beat \u2013&nbsp;the <strong>Steps<\/strong> and <strong>Distance<\/strong> controls will be particularly crucial, since they&#8217;ll allow us to hear all of the samples included in the Drum Rack<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"962\" height=\"385\" data-src=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02.png\" alt=\"ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02\" class=\"wp-image-13140 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02.png 962w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02-400x160.png 400w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02-355x142.png 355w, https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/ableton-live-10-without-music-theory-drums-in-post-02-768x307.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 962px) 100vw, 962px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 962px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 962\/385;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/an-introduction-to-rhythm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"If you are interested in learning the fundamental music theory behind beats and rhythm, check out our in-depth article here. (opens in a new tab)\">If you <em>are<\/em> interested in learning the fundamental music theory behind beats and rhythm, check out our in-depth article here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope that these techniques helped you create some awesome tunes! Check out <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"my YouTube channel (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/lnadoesaudiostuff\" target=\"_blank\">my YouTube channel<\/a> for more Ableton Live and music production content, and let us know if you have any questions on any section of the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Explore royalty-free sounds from leading artists, producers, and sound designers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/splice.com\/sounds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Join Splice today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this tutorial video, learn how you can create chords, hooks, and beats in Ableton Live 10 without any extensive experience with music theory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":13133,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1851,1850,1696,49],"tags":[1638,1633,348,918],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.9 - 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