How to create a lead sheet from chords in a chord track | Club Cubase Dec 6th 2022

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through creating a lead sheet from chords in a chord track using Cubase. A lead sheet is a simplified version of a musical composition that typically includes the melody, lyrics, and chord symbols. This process is beneficial for songwriters, arrangers, and musicians looking to streamline their workflow in Cubase.

Step 1: Set Up Your Chord Track

1. Open Cubase and create a new project or open an existing one.
2. Add a Chord Track:
   • Go to the Project menu.
   • Select Add Track and choose Chord Track.
3. Input Chords:
   • Use the pencil tool to draw in your chords on the chord track.
   • Alternatively, you can input chords using your MIDI keyboard.

Step 2: Create the Lead Sheet

1. Select the Chord Track:
   • Click on the chord track to highlight it.
2. Generate Lead Sheet:
   • Go to the File menu.
   • Select Export and then choose Lead Sheet.
3. Configure Export Settings:
   • In the export dialog, adjust settings such as the output format (PDF, MIDI, etc.).
   • Choose whether to include chord symbols and lyrics if applicable.
4. Export the Lead Sheet:
   • Click on Export to finalize the lead sheet creation.

Step 3: Edit and Refine the Lead Sheet

1. Open the Exported File:
   • Navigate to where you saved your lead sheet.
   • Open it in your preferred notation software or PDF viewer.
2. Review the Content:
   • Check for any errors in chords or formatting.
   • Ensure that the melody line is correctly represented.
3. Make Necessary Adjustments:
   • If adjustments are needed, consider going back to Cubase to modify the chord track and re-export.

Practical Tips

• Familiarize Yourself with Cubase Shortcuts: Learning shortcuts can speed up your workflow.
• Double-check Chord Accuracy: Ensure the chords are correct before exporting to avoid rework.
• Use Templates: If you frequently create lead sheets, consider creating a template to save time.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to create a lead sheet from a chord track in Cubase. By setting up your chord track, exporting the lead sheet, and refining it, you can efficiently produce clear musical notation. As a next step, explore additional features in Cubase to enhance your music production skills and consider integrating other elements like lyrics or arrangement notes in your lead sheets.