Overview

Within the framework of the completed research project, we  observed that participants have chosen different approaches to teaching playing techniques on pad-based control surfaces. At one school, only two-handed technique is taught, while at another, both two-handed and one-handed techniques are used. Feel free to experiment with different methods.

Playing technique varies based on the role and control surface chosen to play a part:

• Rhythmic playing: Typically uses a control surface with "pads", such as Launchpad or Push. The player can use different types of playing techniques, like one- or two-handed techniques, with a customized layout on the control surface.

• Tonal playing: Uses both control surfaces with "pads" and control surfaces with keys, such as a traditional MIDI keyboard.

• Chord playing: Utilizes both control surfaces with "pads" and key-based control surfaces.

• Sound design: Usually employs a control surface with knobs and sliders. These are often integrated into another control surface, such as Push or Novation Launchkey.

  • The dynamic music making on EDI (Electronic Digital Instrument) can take shape based on several layers: The touch on the grid controller or the keyboard determines the dynamics reproduced. Dynamics can also be influenced through sound design, where the sound played with can change over time based on various parameters. Examples of sound design parameters that can be used to create dynamic variations over time include frequency response processing, reverberation, and overtone texture.

  • When playing with Clip-launch, a control surface that can visually reflect the program, such as Push or Novation Launchpad, is used.

  • The purpose of the EDI musician's role in the ensemble and the student's prior knowledge determines which control surface is best suited.

  • Place the control surface in a way that ensures good ergonomics and playability.

Deep Dive

Grid-based control surface

• A grid-based control surface is a controller that mainly consists of pads, such as Push or Launchpad. These control surfaces can be programmed to have display various patterns for how tones or percussive sounds are presented, based on the intended ​​use, the function of the sound being played, and personal preferences. 

• There are several playing techniques on a grid-based control surface. Below are examples of two techniques for finger drum playing and two for tonal and chord playing.

Drums (drum rack)

• In Ableton Live, a plugin called "drum rack" is used to assemble a drum kit. This plugin mirrors the design of a pad surface, where each pad contains a drum sound (e.g., a snare drum). In Live, there is a standard for how these drum sounds are arranged - a pattern that recurs in all the pre-programmed drum kits. In the drum rack, you can freely move the drum sounds around to create your own layout.

• As a musician, you can play according to the predefined standard or program your own layout, either via the software or using the control surface's software to enable other playing techniques. Below are examples of playing techniques based on both scenarious.

Two-handed technique (alternating hands)

Two-handed technique is used when playing based on the pre-programmed structure built into both the software and the control surface. The basic finger placement is:

• Left ring finger for kick.

• Left index finger for snare.

• Right index finger for hi-hat. 

• Middle fingers of both hands for other beats and fills, including pads to the side or above/below those outside the basic finger placement.

One hand technique (dominant hand)

The one-handed technique is used, for example, when  playing based on a custom layout on your control surface. This technique relies on playing with the hand that has the most motor control. The layout can be mirrored to allow the same technique to be used whether you are left- or right-handed. In an example where you play with your right hand, the basic drum sounds are placed as follows: 

•  Middle finger for hi-hat (both closed and open).

•  Index finger for snare drum or clap sound.

• Thumb for bass drum. 

This setup provides a foundation for simple grooves  where the hi-hat plays eighth notes, the snare is on two and four, and the bass drum is on one and three. For more advanced playing, you can build on this method and develop with subdivisions in the left hand, such as ghost notes and other accents.

Tonal Playing

Just like with drum playing, you can also play with different layouts when notes are displayed on the control surface, for example, using different vertical interval stacks, in various scales, or in chromatic mode. A starting point for these control surfaces can be chromatic mode with fourths or minor thirds stacking.

Method Exercise

Method exercise rhythmic role "grid" controllers:

• Practice a standard pop/rock drum pattern using two-handed technique.

• Program your own layout and practice a standard pop/rock drum pattern using one-handed technique.

Method exercise harmonic role "grid" controllers:

• Play a three-chord song where the chords are played in root position. Try different variations of vertical interval stacking, with both scales and chromatic view.

Method exercise melodic role "grid" controllers:

• Play a bass line with different variations of vertical interval stacking, with both scales and chromatic view.

• Play a melody with different variations of vertical interval stacking, with both scales and chromatic view.
  
  

Method exercise (sound design & dynamic playing):

• Choose controllers based on your needs.

• Map the parameters you wish to control in the software to the knobs  or sliders on the control surface.

• For example, map a knob on the control surface to a reverb send. Control the amount of reverb during the song as needed.

Method exercise (Clip launch):

• Play arrangement parts with the selected control surface (by triggering different "scenes" in Ableton Live).

• Vary the arrangement by adding and removing individual instruments/sounds during playback.

Observations

Rhythm:

• Discuss how to create dynamic variations in drum playing.

• Talk about how the design of the drum rack can influence playing techniques.

• Both teacher and student play on different control surfaces but with the same layout.

Melody:

• Use various types of control surfaces. 

• Play with different layouts on grid controllers.

• Midi clips appears as musical notation.
  
  

Harmonic:

• Demonstrate specific techniques for chord inversions and finger placement for chord playing.

• When playing chords on a pad surface, use a chromatic layout where pads are vertically stacked in fourths or minor thirds.

• Discuss reference points on the pad surface to quickly identify intervals.

Tips

• When playing with a click track, connect headphones to an external sound card with dedicated audio routing from Ableton.

• When using multiple computers for launching loops/ clips and needing to play in the same tempo, synchronize them with Ableton Link.

• Place the computer, control surface and other equipment to achieve good ergonomics and playability. Suitable stands can have various designs.

• Base the choice of control surface on the student's prior knowledge and the needs of the song'.

• To control multiple functions and/or play simultaneously, consider using multiple control surfaces in parallel. For example, launch clips on one control surface while playing rhythm/melody/harmony on the other.

• To enable dynamic variations linked to sound design changes, add an EQ plugin to the sound's channel and map, for example, the low-pass filter (high-cut) to a knob on the control surface. This way, the student can vary their dynamic playing based on both touch sensitivity and sound reproduction during the song.

Key Questions

• Which control surface is suitable for the playing technique based on the role and part I need to play?

• How should I design my control surface to create the best conditions for playability?