ableton-mcp

Overview Schema Source Related Servers Discussions Admin

plan_scale_melody

Read-onlyIdempotent

Plan explicit scale-degree melodies in Ableton Live's current key and meter, with straight or triplet grids, rests from omitted steps, and deterministic motif repeats.

Instructions

Plan an explicit scale-degree melody in the current Live key and meter on a straight or triplet grid. Omitted steps are rests; motifs can repeat deterministically.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`gate`	Yes	Note duration as a fraction of one selected grid step.
`grid`	Yes
`events`	Yes	Explicit scale-degree events; omitted grid steps are rests.
`repeats`	Yes
`maxPitch`	Yes
`minPitch`	Yes
`velocity`	Yes	Default note velocity.
`basePitch`	Yes	MIDI pitch for scale degree one.
`motifBars`	Yes

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedv0.3.1Oct 23, 2026

removedOutput schema / additionalProperties
```
Removed value: -true
```

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "gridReference": {
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "musicalContext": {
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "plan": {
+        "properties": {
+          "changes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "newNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "noteIds": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "integer"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "notes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "preservedNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "stateVersion": {
+        "minimum": 1,
+        "type": "integer"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "stateVersion",
+      "musicalContext",
+      "gridReference",
+      "plan"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "error": {
+        "properties": {
+          "message": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "outcome": {
+            "enum": [
+              "unknown",
+              "not_executed"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "message",
+          "outcome"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  }
+]

Changed1 schema field changedv0.3.0Oct 19, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": true,
+  "type": "object"
+}

First observedv0.1.0Sep 23, 2026

TDQS

B3/5.0

Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, destructiveHint=false, and openWorldHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds useful behavioral context with 'Omitted steps are rests' and 'motifs can repeat deterministically,' but does not disclose failure conditions, pitch-clamping behavior, or constraints around the Live key/meter context.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two tight sentences with the main purpose front-loaded and no wasted language. The secondary behavioral details are appropriately condensed.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

This is a complex 9-parameter planning tool with only 44% schema description coverage, and the description does not explain several important input semantics or constraints such as pitch bounds, gate behavior, or how motifBars interacts with repeats. Although annotations and an output schema reduce some burden, the definition remains incomplete for confident invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 44%, below the 50% threshold, so the description must compensate for undocumented parameters. It only clarifies grid type and rest semantics; it does not explain gate, velocity, basePitch, minPitch, maxPitch, motifBars, or repeats, leaving several required parameters without added meaning beyond the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific verb and resource: 'Plan an explicit scale-degree melody' in the current Live key and meter, with straight or triplet grid support. It is clear, but it does not explicitly distinguish this planning tool from siblings such as create_scale_melody_clip or plan_scale_bassline.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The phrase 'in the current Live key and meter' implies a prerequisite context, but there is no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like create_scale_melody_clip or other plan_* tools. No when-not conditions or alternative routing are provided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Deploy Server