Like when you go to try out a patch or new sound? Like what comes out when you're not even thinking about it

Mine is normally C, Am, F, G, but lately I've been messing around more with Dm, C, A#, F.

Curious what other people just kind of default to when messing around?

 

I think I tend to use a (III-VI)-II-V-I sort of chord progression...but I dont really pay attention to that, I just play what comes to my mind...

 

I usually play something random, many a new tune has been started like that
FM

 

great sample cd with sweet melodies
run a loop through melodyne (usually crashes after a while)
export to midi
put postit flags on keyboard (one colour for each chord)
play those chords



i'll let you know if the method produces a hit

 

*no* no such self imposed habits or rules

 

no rules = bad music

you have rules even if you aren't aware of them

 

Why ? No rules means exploration and no limitations ! lol

Me ? errr...i sorta start somewhere in the middle of my keyboard an give my fingers a wiggle over the beats, then adjust..

 

Well I think they meant when you use a keyboard for instance, you are basically locked into a 12 note octave, when in actuality the frequency range between octaves could theoretically be divided up into an infinite number of steps. So that's one "rule" you probably stick to, as far as typically using a western scale. And I wasn't asking what chord progressions are you stuck on, just what one do you tend to play when you're just playing something just to test out a sound. Or maybe most people play something else, like a lick or something? I guess it depends on if you are looking for a specific sound for a specific part, or if you are just going through different sounds to see if one strikes your fancy

 

When searching for pad sounds, I usually play the chord sequence from "Crockett's Theme" by Jan Hammer, from "Miami Vice".
Simple, but beautiful chord progression, in my opinion *yes*

It goes like this:

Dm - F - C - Eb
Cm - Gm - Dm - F - C

It's important to play the actual inversions for the right sound.

 

Try this
+
Octave on the left hand in the lower registers

Play right hand chords like strumming guitar rhythm (not arpeggios) around middle C

Dm 2nd, Am, C 2nd, G

sweeeeet

 

yes i know, i usually have my beats playing though while listening to patches and also when making the midi sequence *yes*
starting with a wiggle of the key in the middle of the keyboard ish

 

Your approach sounds about as technical as mine bro...

 

LOL yes,its working up to now though

 

C D E F G... of course

 

How about: |Gm9 (dorian),| Ebm9 (Dorian),| Bmaj.9/#11 (lydian),| D9sus4...-> Eb dim/A etc,| back to Gm9 | ???