The Elektron sequencer is amazing to interact with the synths parameters on any step, but my issue is that the notes can only be seen by holding down each trigger and checking that single note, so once a sequence is entered its melodic and harmonic content is hidden. So its very difficult to have a mental model of the music I created to evolve it, ie vary the melody, properly harmonize a melody, etc. In a piano roll all that is visible.
How do you deal with this while staying in an Elektron box? Taking notes with pen and paper about the note structure or is there a better strategy to think about this? Maybe for the musically trained ear I do not have this is easy?
One thing you can do that will let you “play by ear” a little more effectively when modifying an existing note progression, is to have the sequencer running while in record mode and identify a note you want to change, then as you mentioned hold down the trig and change the note (while still holding down the trig) and it will play the new note on the come around. You can continue doing this (with the trig held down) until you hear a version of the progression that you like, then move on to the next note you want to change.
Obviously not the most effective if you want to change multiple notes at once, but it gives you the freedom to hear what you’re doing with a little more immediacy than to randomly pick a note and then run the sequence, then stop the sequence, then change the note again and then repeat.
If you’re a “feels things out by ear” musician which there is nothing wrong with then the step sequencer paradigm can be a little discouraging. Even people with fine music theory don’t always hear a progression in steps, we like to hear it audibly and confirm our suspicions, so I think that what you’re saying is understandable.
With Elektron sequencers specifically, it helps to hum along the melody while it plays. If it’s too fast to figure out what step is what, I can slow down the tempo. For my specific Elektron machines, the MD and OT, I can also press and hold a trig and press [YES] and that previews the note (it sucks ass that I cannot do that with the MnM). Making notes help. Copying and pasting patterns as temporary backups helps immensely when going fast and making errors. Otherwise it is what it is.
i’m trying to remember which chords or harmonical functions i’m using. for a song. like I-V-iii.
based on this and hearing the harmony i can orientate in the loop without double checking all the time
This is one of the biggest drawbacks of the Elektron sequencer if you’re making a polyphonic sequence. Arguably a strength too, in that it forces you to listen.
Analog Keys has LEDs above each key that light up when the note is triggered, which is slightly helpful in this regard.
I can play every sequence I use on the keyboard. I practice them, burn them into my head and along the way drill down to what’s really good and memorable and fruitful. Even if I never play the sequence in real time, I always can. The exception is when something isn’t humanly playable but that’s not often.
The point is I have a physical image of the music in my head, which is just a picture of myself looking down at the keys and seeing my fingers and the whole keyboard. I can see it when a sequence is playing if I close my eyes.
This way I can freely navigate the music, I know what’s there all the time, with each part. So I know that flat-7 is coming at the end of the bar and I need to clear out of the major mode I’m in, for example.
I know this doesn’t help the non-keys player much, but if you can find a way to have it in your head that’s way better than seeing a piano roll. Musically speaking. IMO.