In Ableton Live, you can access the piano roll by double-clicking on a MIDI clip. This allows you to edit MIDI notes, create melodies, chords, and more.

What is the Piano Roll?

The piano roll is a graphical interface used to edit MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) data.

It displays a grid where you can place notes at different pitches and times.

The vertical axis represents pitch, while the horizontal axis represents time.

This interface enables you to create melodies for a synth or program drum patterns, among other tasks.

How to Open Piano Roll in Ableton Live

1. Create or Select a MIDI Track

• Create a new MIDI track by pressing Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + T (Mac).
• Load any MIDI instrument or drum rack onto the track.

2. Insert a MIDI Clip

• Double-click in an empty clip slot in Session View to create a new MIDI clip.
• Alternatively, in Arrangement View, select a time range in the MIDI track and press Ctrl + Shift + M (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + M (Mac) to create a new MIDI clip.

3. Open the Piano Roll

• Double-click the newly created or existing MIDI clip to open the piano roll in the Clip View at the bottom of the screen.
• The piano roll will display a grid where you can add and edit MIDI notes.

FAQs

How do I add notes in the piano roll?

Click within the grid to add a note. You can drag to adjust the note's length and position. To remove a note, click on it again.

How do I change the pitch of a note?

Click and drag the note up or down within the piano roll to change its pitch.

How can I zoom in and out of the piano roll?

Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Hold Shift and use the mouse wheel to scroll horizontally.

How do I change the grid size in the piano roll?

Right-click within the piano roll grid to open the context menu, then select the desired grid size (e.g., 1/4, 1/8, 1/16).

How do I play back the MIDI notes?

Press the spacebar to start and stop playback. The MIDI notes in the piano roll will play according to their timing and pitch.

How do I quantize notes in the piano roll?

Select the notes you want to quantize, right-click, and choose Quantize. This aligns the notes to the nearest grid line based on the current grid size (see the full guide on how to quantize in Ableton).

Can I use the piano roll with drum racks?

Yes, the piano roll can be used to program drum patterns when a drum rack is loaded onto a MIDI track. Each row in the piano roll will correspond to a different drum sound.

How do I copy and paste notes?

Select the notes you want to copy, press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac) to copy, then click where you want to paste and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac).

How do I extend the length of a MIDI clip?

Click and drag the edge of the MIDI clip in the Arrangement View to extend its length. The piano roll will update to show the extended range.