How to Use Scale Highlighting and Chord Tools in FL Studio
Never play a wrong note again. Learn how to highlight specific scales and use helper tools to stay perfectly in key.
This tutorial teaches you how to visually lock the Piano Roll to a specific musical scale. You will learn to use background shading as a guide for melody writing.
Follow these steps
Enable Scale Highlighting
Go to the Piano Roll menu, select 'View', then 'Scale Highlighting'. Choose your Root Note (e.g., C) and your Scale (e.g., Aeolian/Minor).
Follow the Visual Guide
Observe the light and dark horizontal lanes. The light lanes represent notes that belong to your chosen scale; stay on these for a melodic sound.
Stamp Full Scales
Use the Stamp tool to select 'Scales' instead of chords. This allows you to click and see every note available in that scale across the keyboard.
Enable Ghost Notes
Turn on 'Ghost Channels' under the View menu. This allows you to see the notes of other instruments in the background while you write.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a scale that doesn't match the mood of your track (e.g., Major for a dark Trap beat).
- Ignoring the highlighted lines and placing notes on dark rows, which may sound dissonant.