Accompaniment Patterns

Tutorial 4 demonstrated several techniques for ‘harmonizing’ a melody in ArtSong. The techniques presented here are a different approach to harmonizing melody and are most useful for creating bass lines and accompaniment patterns. These techniques use the ‘Pattern Generator’ algorithms located on the ‘Patterns’ tab of the Algorithms Palette.

Pattern Generator

The Pattern Generator algorithm uses component events to specify an arrangement of notes to insert around an algorithmically generated note. The event data editor window is shown below:

The pattern/arrangement of notes to insert is represented by the ‘yellow’ circles in the grid. The grid columns from left to right represent time; the actual time durations are determined by the track’s Duration and Multiplier settings. Each grid row from top to bottom represents a chromatic half step between note pitches.

The number of columns excluding the first column on the left represents the length of the pattern. The first column represents the pitch of the algorithmically generated note and is only used to provide a reference for setting the pitches of the pattern notes.

The grid above represents 4 3-note chords built in perfect fourths (5 chromatic half-steps); e.g if the algorithmically generated pitch were C, the four chords would be: 1) C – F – Bb, 2) B – Eb – Ab, 3) C – F – Bb, 4) B – Eb – Ab

Please remember that actual pitch values will also be affected by the Pitch Source settings in each Track receiving data from the Pattern Generator.

Use a Pattern Generator algorithm by inserting an instance of the algorithm, inserting or dragging a track (or tracks) into the Pattern Generator container, drawing the component event and setting the pattern in the event data editor. The example below uses the event shown above in the About box.

Bass-Relative Pattern Generator

The Bass-Relative Pattern Generator works similarly to the Pattern Generator algorithm previously detailed.

The pattern/arrangement of notes to insert is represented by ‘yellow’ circles in a grid. Grid columns (left to right) represent time. Grid rows (top to bottom) represent chromatic half steps between note pitches. The number of columns excluding the first column on the left represents the length of the pattern.

The difference between this and the regular pattern generator is the first column represents the BASS or ROOT of the underlying scale or chord (determined automatically by the Pitch Source settings in the contained Tracks).

The grid shown at left represents a short pattern (pattern length = 4) of alternating single notes and 3-note chords. The single notes are generated at the current chord BASS or scale ROOT depending on the pitch source settings of each track.

Use a Bass-Relative Pattern Generator algorithm by inserting an instance of the algorithm, inserting or dragging a track (or tracks) into the container, drawing the component event and setting the pattern in the event data editor. The example below uses the event shown above.

»