You'll Never Make A Bad Chord Progression Again After Watching This - FL Studio 20 Tutorial

In this tutorial I am going to show you how to make epic chord progressions and melodies in FL Studio 20. This requires zero music theory and can be used all the time. Once you learn this technique you'll never make a bad chord progression again.

Highlights:
0:00 - Start
0:25 - Choose Your Sound
1:00 - Set It Up
1:56 - Bass Notes
2:10 - Basic Chords
3:10 - Major vs Minor
3:40 - Some Exceptions
6:20 - Using It In Practice
8:40 - Adding More Notes
10:13 - Inverted Chords
11:32 - Adding A Melody
12:13 - Epic Demo Song

[UberDragon]

Nasty trick to tell people they don't need music theory but then secretly teaching them some basic music theory. Sneaky! Sly! Bravo!

[tanishqchakravorty]

That "weird" chord that he asked you not to use at 4:35 is called a diminished chord and is very much part of the major key. Specifically this was a Bdim in the key of C. You certainly can use it to make your chord progressions sound more interesting, especially if you use it in between chords for a short duration to create tension. These chords are sometimes called passing chords. However, I do get why Arcade asked you not to use it because it can sound quite dissonant and it can be hard for beginners to use it in the right context. But it is definitely not out of key.

[recursiv_]

I’ll never make a bad chord progression again after watching this

[aperson]

another useful (but optional) tip for any beginners that may be reading this:

if your bass notes sound kinda basic, try veering away from using only the “root notes” of the chords. so if it’s the universal C major chord, maybe use an E as the bass note instead of a C

it creates a more complex sound. if i didn’t explain that the best, just look up “slash chords” and google should explain it for you lol. but also try to keeping mind that “complex” isn’t always better

[reginareyes]

chord codes: count using the keys, count from the tonic (root chord which is the bass note he is talking about), the tonic (root) being 0, including the black keys, so for example, to make a major chord, count from the tonic, 0, then up to 4, then up to 7, that's how you'll be able to create a major chord.

Minor: 0-3-7
Major: 0-4-7
Maj7: 0-4-7-11
Min7: 0-3-7-10
Aug: 0-4-8
Dim:0-3-6

[colonelvector]

This is such a good tutorial for beginners. You want to be basically be told the minimum amount of information to get things going and not be overwhelemed, but which still has wide applications. You've given pepople options without overwhelming them

[DrunkBreton]

I'm not even mad because of the "no music theory needed" question. That's a constant question in the music community, especially since the music composition with computer had been popular, and everyone wants to be a producer, or a beatmaker. That's not a bad thing. It's very godd that more people can open their possibilities with music. And the long question of "Do I need music theory" with purist answering like "hell yeah if not you're not deserving anything, learn the rules of the art you making" and the others like "hell no, music is music, whatever the tool or way you make it".
It's 2022 we know this question now. And it's a boring one, we don't care anymore. Or less care tbh.
BUT. Despite the question of the theory, it's for me mostly a matter of inspiration. All of these videos, like millions on YouTube now, on "How to make a good chord progression" "Instant secrets for better melodies" etc that's cool and all but for me the worst thing about it is the exemple given to the beginners about inspiration. All of this are what I call "Mouse composing". That's; creating your melody, chords progression of drums or whatever, just by dragging random notes on the piano roll, either wishing it will sound good or already knowing it will sound good because of the scale highlight. The scale highlight isn't a bad thing, I adore it. But with those examples it's used like "On those highlights, choose any note it will sound good" and you choose a random bass line, create a chord with it etc.
I hope I'm not looking like the old boring purist because I'm not. I' m just wishing the best creative journey for every producer and for me our Era doesn't kill the music because of the music theory or not, but because of the mouse composing. You composé with your mouse, or at least your eyes, on the piano roll, and not with your inspiration. Yes with this, you can create 100 different melodies each day, but never a melody that you thought about. And for me that's the core of music, not the music theory, but the inspiration, like for every art form. I'm not talking for you Arcade, you are an experienced musician, you're not concerned. But the way we teach music on DAW nowadays is for me bad. Not because of the theory but because we're not motivating others to have inspiration. Add the fact that if you want to be a beatmaker for exemple you're encouraged to post 78 beat everyday to be popular... Don't misunderstand me, you really can create some amazing music with mouse composing, but it's juste like if a computer did it itself. By doing this you're acting like a computer, without soul. Tha'ts not for blaming y'all doing this, again I'm wishing the best journey for all of you. But just a tiny but strong advice, try composing with your soul. Knowing those basics are very good to know if your ear doesn't makes you create a bad chord, but try to first imagine your sound, and then painting it on piano roll and not first painting it and then check if it's not bad.

Best wishes to all of you mates. Love.

[ognick_]

Little advice:
When you are choosing scale and root note, use right click. It prevents closing window with scales and root notes. This way, you don't have to open this window again.

[zone]

I just sat down with FL studios as a complete beginner - then I stumbled across this video. All I can say: truly amazing. Right of the bat i`m making chords. NEVER BAD CHORD PROGRESSION! Thanks a lot you`ve earned my sub.

[shoulderemotional]

Arcade: **exists**

Skill Share: imma sponsor this man's whole career

[wideasriel]

I could have found any video about this, but I found yours, I am not well experienced in composing but this really helped me, this video made my day and I try my best training my skills to get better, this video pushed my motivation and made me do 2 tracks yesterday, I sat in front of my laptop all day after I watched this video.
I just want to thank you for that!
It really helped me and will help in my future way of music composition, I wish you the best bro, I've never felt that good giving a guy I never saw before a like and a "Super Thanks" (I've never given one of those before)
Don't wanna write down a book here but surely you know what I mean if you see this 🤟🔥😆

[TheHardmouth]

*Man, the demo song from the end is on another level 🥺*

[ZaccoOfficial]

Just so you guys know, you *can* use the dark notes, but most of the time It wont sound like it goes together. Sometimes, though, a note out of the key your song is in is a good thing -- I've written songs with notes like that and they fit perfectly.

[wwjnz]

LOL. I forgot about this. For the past year, I have been working with only samples. When I wanted to add some keys to a best I was working on, I was dumbfounded about how to play the melody I needed at the time. It took me hours to get it right. Looking at this video, reminded me about the scale stamps. Thanks.

[neosonixyz]

Perfect timing - I was trying to make melodic dubstep chords and I found this.

Thanks so much Arcade!

[Xcelermone]

For the past few days, I have been having a hard time understanding FL studio, music theory, and why my piano roll did not sound the way I wanted it to. Thank you so much, this helps me out immensely.

[channlthspirit]

Wow! The song you put together using the final chord progression and melody was beautiful. The sound selection was perfect and it was interesting to hear what the chord progression and melody could become when accompanied by the right sounds. Thanks for sharing, nicely done 👏👍

[Adam-g-uk]

That chord that you said isn't a chord is actually a diminished chord and an important part of rnb chord progressions but sounds alot better with 7th chords...

[mkansipride]

I haven't tried that yet. but hey, you were crystal clear about every single process. Loved it❤

[ForTheRock]

Ive been using FL Studio on and off for years and never knew the view change with the keys. my goodness... this is life changing!