Put chords under a tune

You finish with: Your original melody, with two chords underneath.

Only 15 minutes? Do step 1, save, stop.

Step 1: Feel two chords

Open FirstTrack.flp.
Save a version before you change anything.
Keep your melody as it is.
Add a separate FL Keys channel and call it Chords.
Play C–E–G one note at a time, then together.
Try F–A–C the same way.
Spend ten minutes moving between them.

Listen for: three notes turning into one sound when you play them together.

Tune: C · D · E · rest · G · F · E · C

Chords: C–E–G, then F–A–C.

Fig. 5. C–E–G and F–A–C, three notes each, under an eight-beat tune. Hear each chord one note at a time, then together.

Now in FL Studio: on your Chords channel, play C–E–G one note at a time, then together. Then F–A–C.

Build your first chords

Watch it done · Pianote · Lisa Witt · 05:41–09:43

Watch on YouTube (new tab)

Step 2: Capture a foundation

Record or draw a separate four-bar Chords pattern.
Make it C–E–G for two bars, then F–A–C for two bars.
Keep the original melody on its own instrument.
Listen to your melody over the chords.
Adjust a melody note if the clash is distracting, or keep it if you like the tension.

Listen for: your melody over the chords, and any note that clashes.

No FL Keys in the Add menu?

If Add doesn’t list FL Keys, choose More plugins and find it there. Keep chords on Chords and the melody on Lead, so later sound changes can affect only the melody.

Step 3: Save and check

Place the Chords and Melody patterns on separate Playlist lanes.
Start both at bar 1.
Select SONG mode and listen.
Save FirstTrack.
If finding pitches is slow, keep the hum for next session too.

Listen for: your melody and the chords starting together at bar 1.

The check: Hear your melody over C–E–G then F–A–C, both from bar 1 in SONG mode? Then you’re done.

Next: Write a bass response →

Or stop here. Your place is kept on this device.

Step 1: Feel two chords

Step 2: Capture a foundation

Step 3: Save and check

Finish