Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5: Structure from Udemy

Welcome to the

I like to think of this class as the "antidote for writers-block." What we are going to do in this class is look closely at form and structure. That means we will be spending time diving into the whole track, and it looking at how it flows between sections, why it flows between sections, and how we can make that happen in our own tracks. So dust off some of those old sessions that you've been able to finish because this class is going to give you the tools you need to get those done.

If Your Music is Missing Something, This is Probably It.

If you are finding that you are writing track after track, and while they sound good, there is something they are missing - then this it. You are missing the sense of harmony that professional producers have. In this class, I'll arm you with all the tools you need to produce those tracks just like you imagine them.

Who should take this course? Anyone interested in producing their own music. This will get you up and running and give your tracks a unique sound in no time.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Structure This course consists of video lectures, which all contain a session in Ableton Live 10. If you are using a different program (or none at all), no worries. This isn't a class on how to use Ableton Live, and the concepts can be applied to any DAW.

Topics include:

Form
Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Break, Drop, etc.
Analysis Sections
Using Standard Forms
Binary Form
Ternary Form
Rondo Form
Theme and Variation
My Secret-Weapon Form (top secret. )
Techniques for Creating Variety
Density and Texture in Form
Melody and Phrases
The Science of Melody
Motive Alteration Techniques
... And much more.

The course is a roadmap to finding the missing piece in your tracks, or just getting started making great tracks.

All the tools you need to make, produce, and start your music career are included in this course, and the entire course is based on real-life experiences - not just academic theory.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can start making great tracks today.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music theory course available ANYWHERE on the internet - or your money back (with the Udemy 30-day money-back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢ "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢ "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢ "Excellent explanations. No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢ "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢ "I am learning LOTS. And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢ "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢ "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series.

What's inside

Learning objectives

This class is the "writers-block antidote" - if you are getting stuck or having problems finishing tracks, this is the solution.
By the end of this course, you will have improved your tracks by understanding how to build chords and melodies that work together.
By the end of this course, you will have improved your tracks by understanding how form and structure work in most music.
How to use standard forms

Techniques for creating variety
Melody and melodic phrases
Using motives and form to tell a story in your music

This class is the "writers-block antidote" - if you are getting stuck or having problems finishing tracks, this is the solution.
By the end of this course, you will have improved your tracks by understanding how to build chords and melodies that work together.
By the end of this course, you will have improved your tracks by understanding how form and structure work in most music.
How to use standard forms
Techniques for creating variety
Melody and melodic phrases
Using motives and form to tell a story in your music

Syllabus

Introduction

Tools You Will Need

How to Use This Class

Here we go - time to dust off those old tracks that you haven't been able to complete and finally finish them!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores techniques for creating variety in electronic music, which can help musicians maintain listener engagement and interest throughout a track

Examines standard musical forms like binary, ternary, and rondo, providing a foundation for creating structured and engaging electronic compositions

Teaches motive alteration techniques, which are useful for generating new musical ideas and developing themes in electronic music production

Uses Ableton Live 10 in its video lectures, so learners using older versions of Ableton may find some features and interfaces are different

Covers the science of melody, which can help electronic musicians create more memorable and emotionally resonant tracks

Includes analysis sections that dissect existing tracks, which can help electronic musicians understand how professional producers structure their music

Reviews summary

Structure and form for electronic music

Learners say this course is a highly effective (positive) tool for electronic musicians (neutral) looking to improve their track structure (positive) and overcome writer's block (positive). Many found the explanations of musical forms and techniques to be exceptionally clear (positive) and appreciated the course's strong focus on practical application (positive) in a DAW environment. While the concepts are presented using Ableton Live examples (neutral), students report the ideas are broadly applicable. Some reviewers suggested that having completed previous courses in the series (warning) or having some prior theory knowledge is beneficial, but overall feedback indicates it provides tangible results (positive) for finishing and improving tracks. The instructor's teaching style (positive) is frequently praised.

Demos are primarily shown using Ableton Live 10.

"All the demos were in Ableton, which is fine for me."

"Had to mentally adapt the examples for my DAW."

"Wish there were notes on how to translate concepts to other DAWs."

Some reviewers found prior course knowledge helpful.

"Assumes some basic theory background."

"Might be a bit advanced if you're new to the series."

"I think having taken parts 1-4 first is beneficial."

Jason Allen's teaching style is praised by students.

"Jason is a fantastic teacher, easy to follow."

"His explanations are clear and engaging."

"The instructor's passion is evident."

Concepts of musical form and structure are explained clearly.

"The way structure and form were explained just clicked for me."

"Finally understand how to arrange my tracks using different forms."

"Made complex theory concepts easy to grasp."

Effective tools for breaking through creative blocks.

"This course really is an antidote to writer's block!"

"I finished a track I was stuck on for months after taking this."

"Provided the inspiration and methods I needed."

The course provides practical techniques for producers.

"Loved seeing how to apply these ideas directly in my DAW."

"Gave me concrete methods for finishing stalled projects."

"Useful, real-world techniques, not just dry theory."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5: Structure with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory Concepts

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, chords, and rhythm to better grasp the course's advanced topics on form and structure.

Browse courses on Music Theory

Show steps

Review scales and key signatures.
Practice identifying chord qualities (major, minor, dominant).
Study basic rhythmic notation and time signatures.

Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition'

Show steps

Gain a broader understanding of music theory principles to enhance your ability to analyze and manipulate musical forms in electronic music production.

View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on harmony and form.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Take notes on key concepts and definitions.

Analyze the Structure of Your Favorite Electronic Music Track

Show steps

Apply the course's concepts by dissecting a song you enjoy, identifying its sections (verse, chorus, etc.) and analyzing how they contribute to the overall form.

Show steps

Choose an electronic music track you enjoy.
Listen to the track multiple times, taking notes on its structure.
Identify the different sections (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.).
Analyze how the sections transition and contribute to the overall form.
Write a short analysis of the track's structure.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Practice Identifying Motives and Their Transformations

Show steps

Sharpen your ability to recognize motives and their variations (transposition, inversion, etc.), a crucial skill for creating compelling melodies and developing musical ideas.

Show steps

Find examples of motives in existing music.
Identify the different transformations applied to the motives.
Create your own motives and experiment with different transformations.

Compose a Short Electronic Music Piece Using a Specific Form

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of form by creating your own track using a binary, ternary, or rondo form, applying the techniques learned in the course.

Show steps

Choose a form (binary, ternary, rondo, etc.).
Sketch out the structure of your piece.
Compose the different sections of your piece.
Arrange the sections according to the chosen form.
Mix and master your track.

Read 'Composing Electronic Music: A Practical Guide'

Show steps

Expand your knowledge of electronic music composition techniques and explore advanced approaches to form and structure.

View Composing Electronic Music: A New Aesthetic on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on arrangement and form.
Experiment with the techniques described in the book.
Analyze how professional electronic musicians use these techniques.

Create a Presentation on a Specific Form in Electronic Music

Show steps

Deepen your understanding by researching and presenting on a specific form (e.g., theme and variations) and its application in electronic music.

Show steps

Choose a specific form (theme and variations, etc.).
Research the form and its history.
Find examples of the form in electronic music.
Create a presentation outlining the form and its application.
Present your findings to a peer or group.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5: Structure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Electronic Musician

An Electronic Musician creates music using electronic instruments like synthesizers, drum machines, and computers. This often includes composition, performance, and studio work. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course helps electronic musicians by providing tools to create well structured tracks. This course teaches forms like binary, ternary, and rondo. It also covers melody, phrases, and motives, which are essential for creating musical pieces. An electronic musician who wants to improve their structure should take this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Musician

Music Producer

A Music Producer shapes the overall sound of a song or album, guiding the artistic vision and technical aspects of a recording. This role involves arranging, mixing, and mastering tracks. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course is directly relevant, as it focuses on form, structure, and how sections flow in a track, essential skills for a producer. The course teaches how to build arrangements, manipulate density and texture, and use techniques for creating variety, all of which are critical for a music producer. Those seeking to become a music producer will find great benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Composer

A Composer creates original musical works. This can be for a variety of different mediums, including film, video games, and live performance. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course helps composers by focusing on form and structure and how to make tracks flow between sections. The course also teaches techniques for creating variety, density, and texture, all elements that help a composer craft compelling music. A composer who wants to improve their understanding of structure would find this course very helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Songwriter

A Songwriter crafts the lyrics and melodies for songs. They may work independently or with other musicians. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course helps songwriters by improving their understanding of song structure. This is because the course covers verse, chorus, bridges, and other aspects of song form. It also explores melody as well as phrases, and motives. Aspiring songwriters will benefit greatly from the course's guidance on building a complete song.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Music Arranger

A Music Arranger takes a pre-existing melody and expands upon it, creating a finished musical piece with a specific structure and instrumentation. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course directly relates to the role of music arranger, by teaching how to use standard forms, create variety, and use density and texture. The course also covers motives and melody, which is useful for creating new parts for a track. A music arranger who wants to improve their skills would find this course to be a good fit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Film Composer

A Film Composer creates original music for films. These pieces often need to sync with actions and emotions within the movie. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course helps film composers by exploring how form and structure work in music. The course includes melody, melodic phrases, and how to use motives and form to tell a story. A film composer who wants to ensure their music tells a story will find this course to be a good fit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Composer

Remixer

A Remixer takes an existing song and recreates it, often adding their own unique style and elements. This may involve changing the tempo, adding new parts, or altering the structure of the original song. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course would be beneficial because it teaches how to analyze, change, and then use different forms. The course teaches how to manipulate melody as well as motives. A remixer will benefit from the course by learning how to transform an original track into something new and compelling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Remixer

Music Instructor

A Music Instructor teaches music theory, composition, or instrument performance to students of varying ages and levels. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may be beneficial as music instructors should understand form, structure, melody, and motive. When instructors understand these concepts, they can more effectively guide their students. A music instructor may find that the course helps them teach these concepts to students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Instructor

Audio Engineer

An Audio Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering audio. While often focused on the technical side of sound, an audio engineer who masters music needs an understanding of the structure of a track. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may be helpful because it can deepen an understanding of how music is arranged. It also covers how to use density and texture in form. An audio engineer who wants to improve in mixing and mastering may find the course to be a good fit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Podcast Producer

A Podcast Producer is responsible for the creation of podcasts, including audio editing, sound design, and the overall structure of the show. Some podcast producers will create music for their show. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may be useful for this, as it focuses on how to make a track flow between sections. The course also covers concepts like form, structure, density, and texture, which are important for a podcast creator. A podcast producer may find that this course helps them to create a compelling audio environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Producer

Game Audio Designer

A Game Audio Designer creates and implements all the sound and music for video games, including music, sound effects, and environmental audio. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may be helpful because game audio designers need to understand how music should move through a game. This course covers form, structure, and techniques for creating variety. A game audio designer may find that this course helps them when working on interactive audio projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Audio Designer

Sound Designer

A Sound Designer creates unique sound effects for media like video games, films, and theatre. While not directly focused on music composition, they often need to understand how sound can be organized and structure impacts pacing. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may give a sound designer insight into the use of phrases, motives, and form. It may help a sound designer to better consider how those concepts apply to sound effects. A sound designer who wishes to better understand structure may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Multimedia Artist

A Multimedia Artist combines different art forms like video, audio, and graphics to create a finished product. While they may not primarily do music, they often have to think about the relationship between music and other art forms. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course might be useful in this context, because it covers overall track form, phrasing, and motive. A multimedia artist may find that this course can teach them how to better integrate their audio into their overall work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

A DJ selects and plays music for an audience, often mixing and transitioning between tracks. A DJ needs to have an understanding of song structure in order to make smooth transitions between pieces. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may be useful because it helps to understand concepts like form and structure, and how sections flow in a track. Though they may not compose music, the course may help a DJ use their skills in live performance. A person who is a DJ may find the course to be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for DJ

Software Developer

A Software Developer writes code to create software applications. While this role is not directly related to music, a software developer who is interested in music might find this course useful. The Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5 Structure course may provide a creative outlet, and may help the developer to think about structure and organization in a different context. A software developer may find the course useful in their personal life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5: Structure.

Composing Electronic Music

Save

Delves into the techniques and aesthetics of electronic music composition, offering practical guidance on sound design, synthesis, and arrangement. It explores various approaches to form and structure in electronic music, providing valuable insights for advanced students. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. It adds more depth to the existing course.

Composing Electronic Music: A New Aesthetic

Kindle Edition

Music Theory Note by Note

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory concepts, making it a valuable resource for students with limited prior knowledge. It covers topics such as scales, chords, rhythm, and form in an accessible manner. While not specifically focused on electronic music, it provides a solid foundation for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of musical structure. It is best used as additional reading to supplement the course materials.

Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...

Kindle Edition

Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 5

Structure

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Structure and form for electronic music

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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