How to Create Chord Progressions in Ableton Live 12 - No Theory Required!

How to Create Chord Progressions in Ableton Live 12 (No Music Theory Needed)

You can generate rich, expressive chord progressions in Ableton Live 12 without downloading MIDI packs or knowing theory. This guide shows how to use built-in MIDI tools and Max for Live patches like M2TM Progressions and Chords to create progressions fast.

Key Points

• Use Live 12’s "Stacks" to build chords visually

• Explore 170+ prebuilt progressions with M2TM

• Auto-invert chords for pro-sounding voicings

• Type in chords directly with M2TM Chords

• Skip theory. Just choose, tweak, and play
  
  

How do I generate chords with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI tools?

Go to Generative Tools > Stacks.

Here’s what you can do:

• Change chord type with arrows or Cmd/Ctrl + ↑↓

• Hover to see notes, scale degree, and quality

• Use the plus dial to duplicate and transpose

• Adjust duration, offset, and inversion

Click any chord block to edit its properties individually.

What is M2TM Progressions and how does it work?

It’s a Max for Live patch with 170+ built-in chord progressions across:

• Major

• Minor

• Miscellaneous scales

You can:

• Choose root/key and clip length

• Auto-display chord names

• Rotate/reverse chord order

• Adjust complexity from triads to 5-note chords

• Apply open or closed voicing

• Invert chords automatically like a real keyboardist
  

How do I control bass notes in M2TM?

You can duplicate the lowest chord note as bass, not just the root.

This adds realism, but if it sounds wrong, revert to the root.

Bass note control is ideal for:

• Split-octave voicings

• Emphasising harmonic depth
  
  

What about entering specific chords directly?

Use M2TM Chords, another Max for Live tool.

For example, you can type:

• Dmaj, F#m, A, E, etc.

It builds the full chord progression and lets you:

• Set clip length

• Change octaves

• Auto-invert voicings

• Choose root or custom bass notes

• Adjust duration and dynamics
  
  

Final Thoughts: Do I need theory to write chords in Live 12?

No. Ableton Live 12 and Max for Live tools now give you:

• Visual, tactile control over chords

• Instant progressions from templates or manual input

• Realistic inversions and voicings with no theory required

These tools remove friction and boost creativity, with no downloads needed.

FAQs

Do I need music theory to use these tools?
No. Live 12 and M2TM handle the theory for you.

Can I export these chord clips?
Yes. Drag them to your session view or arrange them like any MIDI clip.

How many progressions are in M2TM?
Over 170 presets, plus full customisation.

What’s the difference between M2TM Progressions and Chords?
Progressions = prebuilt sets. Chords = direct input.

Can I use these tools live or only in the studio?
Both. They're great for live loop builds and studio sketching.