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Martin Svensson and Music-Prod Education

Are you passionate about producing electronic music but feel limited by your understanding of music theory? If you’ve ever felt that music theory is either too difficult or unnecessary to learn because you’re not a pianist, this course is here to change your mind.

“Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide” is tailored specifically for producers like you, who want to master the essentials of music theory directly in the Piano Roll—no need to touch an actual piano.

Why This Course is Perfect for You:

Read more

Are you passionate about producing electronic music but feel limited by your understanding of music theory? If you’ve ever felt that music theory is either too difficult or unnecessary to learn because you’re not a pianist, this course is here to change your mind.

“Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide” is tailored specifically for producers like you, who want to master the essentials of music theory directly in the Piano Roll—no need to touch an actual piano.

Why This Course is Perfect for You:

As electronic music producers, we often rely on DAWs as our primary instrument. Traditional music theory courses focus heavily on playing instruments, but this course is different. I’ve distilled the essential aspects of music theory that are most relevant for electronic music production, skipping the traditional methods and instead focusing on what really matters for creating powerful chord progressions, basslines, melodies, and remixes.

In this course, you’ll learn how to craft the rich harmonies and compelling chord progressions that give EDM its energy and emotion. Using the Piano Roll and a few intuitive techniques, you’ll gain the skills to bring your musical ideas to life without needing years of music training.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to confidently build your own tracks from the ground up and add creative elements like the pros.

What’s Included in This Course:

This course offers a streamlined approach to music theory, delivering practical tools and shortcuts that will empower you to:

• Create Chord Progressions: Learn to construct chords from scratch in both major and minor scales, so you can capture any mood or style.

• Master Basslines and Melodies: Discover how to pull basslines and melodies directly from your chord progressions, ensuring a cohesive sound across your tracks.

• Understand Rhythm and Timing: Develop a deeper understanding of rhythm, allowing you to create dynamic and well-structured beats that keep listeners engaged.

• Transpose and Remix Easily: Learn a powerful transposing trick that lets you remix popular songs by matching keys effortlessly.

• Produce Like the Pros: See how top producers like Avicii and Afrojack use these techniques to create iconic sounds, and apply the same methods to your own tracks.

Why This Course Stands Out:

Unlike other music theory courses, this guide focuses exclusively on the theory and skills electronic music producers need. We skip unnecessary details and go straight to practical applications. Throughout the course, you’ll gain insight into how to approach music theory creatively and confidently, allowing you to quickly produce tracks that sound professional and polished.

Key Highlights of the Course:

• All lessons are taught within the Piano Roll, which means you’re learning theory that is immediately usable in any DAW.

• The course includes a MIDI Chords Pack, giving you ready-made chords to start your projects faster.

• Each lecture is packed with insider tips that save you time and prevent common mistakes.

• This course caters to all skill levels—whether you’re a beginner or have some music production experience, you’ll find the course valuable and easy to follow.

What You Will Learn:

1. Chords and Harmony: You’ll learn how to build major and minor chords that set the foundation for captivating electronic tracks.

2. Bass and Melodies: Discover techniques for creating basslines and melodies that complement your chord progressions.

3. Creative Rhythm Techniques: Learn how to create rhythms that add texture and depth, transforming basic beats into complex patterns.

4. Key Detection and Transposition: Understand how to identify the key of a track, and transpose chords or melodies for seamless remixing.

5. MIDI Applications: Master MIDI tools for quick production, helping you lay out ideas without overthinking every note.

6. Song Structure and Arrangement: Apply music theory to create cohesive sections in your songs, making transitions smoother and keeping listeners engaged.

7. Chord Progression Tricks: Get access to innovative tricks for designing unique progressions that evolve throughout your track.

8. Practical Tips for Fast Production: Implement shortcuts and techniques that will speed up your workflow and allow you to produce more music.

9. Using the MIDI Chords Pack: Use the included MIDI pack to jumpstart your compositions and gain inspiration.

10. Developing Your Unique Sound: Learn how to take inspiration from others while creating a sound that is distinctly yours.

Why You Need Music Theory for Electronic Music:

Music theory isn’t just for traditional musicians; it’s a valuable tool for producers in any genre. With a firm understanding of music theory, you can:

• Bring originality to your tracks, avoiding the repetitive, “preset” feel of some electronic music.

• Translate your emotions and ideas into structured sound, giving your tracks a story and purpose.

• Develop your creativity, with the knowledge and tools to experiment confidently in any genre.

This course breaks down music theory into manageable, fun concepts that make it easy to learn and apply without years of formal training.

Advanced Music Theory Techniques for Electronic Music

In this final section, we’ll dive into advanced music theory techniques designed to make your tracks stand out in the crowded electronic music scene. This part of the course focuses on building your skillset with unique, professional-level methods used by top producers.

1. Modulating Between Keys – Learn how to shift keys mid-track to create interest and variety without disrupting your track’s flow.

2. Extended Chord Progressions – Go beyond basic triads; explore seventh, ninth, and eleventh chords to add sophistication and depth.

3. Inversions and Voice Leading – Smooth out your chord progressions and improve transitions by mastering chord inversions and voice leading techniques.

4. Counterpoint in Melodies – Create layered, engaging melodies by using counterpoint, a method of combining different melodic lines in harmony.

5. Polyrhythms and Complex Rhythmic Structures – Discover techniques for creating complex, multi-layered rhythms that will add excitement and dynamism to your beats.

6. Chromatic Passing Tones – Integrate chromatic notes for subtle tension and release, which gives your tracks an unexpected twist.

7. Substituting Chords for New Textures – Learn how to replace chords in your progressions to keep your sound fresh and innovative.

8. Advanced Remixing Techniques – Use music theory to dissect and reconstruct popular tracks, making your remixes unique yet recognizable.

9. Creating Tension and Release – Explore the psychological impact of tension and release, guiding listeners through emotional highs and lows.

10. Experimenting with Mode Mixture – Add variety to your tracks by blending major and minor tonalities, a popular technique in genres from Future Bass to Trap.

About the Instructor:

Hi. I’m Martin Svensson, a music producer from Stockholm with a decade of experience creating music and working with notable producers. I began my career on the same Swedish music platform as Avicii, sharing techniques and ideas with other rising producers.

My experience producing for artists around the world has given me insights that I’m excited to share in this course. I’ve distilled years of knowledge into this course, focusing on practical skills over theory-heavy lectures. My goal is to help you create professional music in an efficient, enjoyable way.

Why Take This Course?

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of music theory in a short time.

• Learn in a format specifically for DAW users—no need to read music or play instruments.

• Feel confident about your music theory knowledge, and start making tracks with impact and style.

Included Resources and Support:

• A MIDI Chords Pack with templates for your projects

• Access to all course updates and additional materials added in the future

• Private support and feedback on your projects through the course Q&A

What You Can Expect After Completing the Course:

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Produce original, engaging music with a solid theoretical foundation.

• Construct chord progressions that add depth and energy to your tracks.

• Use rhythm, harmony, and melody to create unique sounds that resonate with listeners.

• Easily remix songs, transpose chords, and make key changes to create exciting new versions of popular tracks.

Music theory doesn’t have to be boring or intimidating—it’s a way to enhance your creativity, increase your production speed, and make your music more engaging. So, let’s dive into the world of music theory together, and start producing the tracks you’ve always dreamed of making.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand music theory essentials for electronic music production, focusing on what’s relevant to producers.
  • Create captivating chord progressions using simple piano roll techniques.
  • Learn the fundamentals of rhythm and how to apply them to electronic beats.
  • Unlock secrets to building basslines directly from your chords.
  • Master melody creation and add layers of harmony in your tracks.
  • Use music theory tricks to remix songs effectively and stay in key.
  • Simplify scales and modes to make your melodies stand out.
  • Craft seamless transitions in your tracks using theory-based techniques.
  • Develop a fast workflow for producing electronic music in any genre.
  • Enhance your songwriting skills to create professional-sounding tracks.

Syllabus

Introduction
Piano Roll
Requirements
Before We Start
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on practical applications within a DAW, which is highly relevant for electronic music producers who primarily use software
Provides a MIDI Chords Pack, giving learners ready-made chords to start projects faster and experiment with different sounds
Explores advanced techniques like modulating between keys and using extended chord progressions, which are used by top producers
Taught by a producer with a decade of experience, who shares insights gained from working with artists around the world
Requires learners to download sample packs, which may require additional storage space on their computers or external drives

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Reviews summary

Music theory for electronic music producers

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and relevant introduction to music theory specifically for electronic music producers. Students praise its focus on the Piano Roll, making theory accessible without needing traditional instrument skills. Many found it excellent for beginners, providing immediately applicable techniques for creating chord progressions, basslines, and melodies. The instructor's clear explanations and practical tricks are frequently highlighted as strengths. Some more experienced producers felt it was basic at times, but overall, it's considered a valuable resource for improving production skills.
Helpful resource for starting ideas.
"The included MIDI chords pack is a great bonus for quickly experimenting with progressions."
"Found the MIDI pack useful for jumpstarting creativity when I felt stuck."
"It's nice to have the chord templates ready to go in the MIDI pack."
Explanations are easy to follow.
"Martin's explanations are very clear and concise, making learning theory much less intimidating."
"The instructor does a great job of breaking down concepts into simple steps."
"Found the teaching style engaging and easy to understand, even for complex topics."
Insightful methods shared by instructor.
"The specific tricks shared for chord progressions and transposing were incredibly helpful and creative."
"Loved the 'tricks' sections - they gave me new ways to approach writing music."
"Martin shares some really smart techniques I hadn't thought of, speeding up my workflow."
Learn techniques you can use right away.
"I was able to start applying the chord and melody techniques to my tracks immediately after watching the lectures."
"This course is packed with practical tips and tricks that directly help in the production process."
"It gives you the tools to go from theoretical concepts to actual musical ideas in your DAW."
Accessible introduction to essential concepts.
"As someone new to theory, this course made complex ideas easy to grasp and apply."
"Perfect starting point if you have zero music theory background but want to improve your tracks."
"The pace and explanations are ideal for producers who are just starting out with music theory."
Theory taught visually, directly in DAW.
"Learning theory directly in the Piano Roll is a game-changer for me. No need for sheet music!"
"The course is tailored for electronic producers, focusing on practical application within the DAW."
"I appreciate how the course teaches theory in a way that's immediately usable in any DAW's piano roll."
May lack depth for experienced learners.
"If you already know basic theory, some sections might feel a bit too elementary."
"While great for novices, those with some background might find it doesn't go deep enough into advanced concepts."
"I was hoping for more on complex harmony or advanced modulations, but it's mostly foundational."

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 Music Producers - Complete Guide with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts before diving into electronic music production-specific applications. This will help you grasp the course material more quickly.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review scales, keys, and chords.
  • Practice identifying intervals and rhythms.
  • Complete online quizzes to test your knowledge.
Read 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 3rd Edition'
Gain a broader understanding of music theory principles. This will help you better understand the concepts taught in the course.
View Music Theory, 3E on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Create a Simple Chord Progression
Practice creating chord progressions in your DAW using the techniques learned in the course. This will solidify your understanding of chord construction and arrangement.
Show steps
  • Choose a key and scale.
  • Build chords based on the scale.
  • Arrange the chords into a progression.
  • Experiment with different voicings and rhythms.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Analyze a Popular EDM Track
Deepen your understanding of how music theory is applied in real-world electronic music. This will help you identify patterns and techniques used by professional producers.
Show steps
  • Select an EDM track you enjoy.
  • Identify the key and chord progression.
  • Analyze the bassline and melody.
  • Write a short analysis of the track's structure and harmonic content.
Read 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio' by Mike Senior
Improve your mixing and mastering skills to enhance the overall quality of your electronic music productions. This will help you create tracks that sound professional and polished.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in the book on your own tracks.
  • Compare your mixes to professional tracks and identify areas for improvement.
Remix a Song Using Music Theory
Apply your knowledge of music theory to create a unique remix of an existing song. This will test your ability to transpose chords, create new melodies, and arrange a track in a creative way.
Show steps
  • Choose a song to remix.
  • Identify the key and chord progression of the original song.
  • Experiment with different chord voicings and rhythms.
  • Create a new melody that complements the original song.
  • Arrange the remix in a creative and engaging way.
Help Others in Online Forums
Reinforce your understanding of music theory by explaining concepts to others. Teaching is a great way to solidify your own knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find online forums related to music production and theory.
  • Answer questions from other users.
  • Explain concepts in a clear and concise way.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Electronic Music Producer
An electronic music producer crafts original music using digital tools and software. This course directly addresses core skills for an electronic music producer, such as creating chord progressions, basslines, and melodies, all within the digital audio workstation (DAW) environment. The course's focus on rhythm, transposition, and remixing will help an electronic music producer develop their unique sound and workflow. The course also provides concrete examples of how these techniques are used by well-known producers, offering guidance on how to apply them in your own productions. The techniques of this course are useful for a producer looking to develop a professional sound.
Remixer
A remixer takes existing tracks and reinterprets them, often with new arrangements, instrumentation, and styles. This course is directly relevant to a remixer, as it teaches techniques for transposing and remixing songs by matching keys effortlessly. Additionally, the course covers many concepts that help a remixer, such as crafting chord progressions and understanding rhythm, which are vital for transforming the structure and mood of a piece of music. The course offers advanced remixing techniques, showing how music theory can be used to dissect and reconstruct popular tracks, making remixes unique yet recognizable. Anyone seeking to be a remixer should consider this course.
Sound Designer
A sound designer creates original sound elements for music, film, games, and other media. This course supports a sound designer by providing a deep understanding of harmony, rhythm, and melody, which are foundational for creating unique sound textures. The techniques for creating chord progressions, basslines, and melodies are of direct relevance to sound design, allowing for layered and complex sonic elements to be created. The course focuses on practical application within the Piano Roll, which is a central tool for a sound designer. Therefore, this course can help a sound designer in their creative process.
Arranger
An arranger takes existing musical compositions and adapts them for different instruments or ensembles. This course is useful for an arranger with its focus on chord progressions, basslines, and melodies, as it can help one to manipulate and adapt the harmonic and melodic elements of a piece. The course's techniques for transposing and remixing are particularly relevant to the work of an arranger. The course also explains the structure of a song and may help those who work on orchestration. The theoretical understanding provided in this course may help an arranger to be more creative.
Music Composer
A music composer creates original musical pieces, often for films, television, games, or other media. This course can support a music composer by providing a strong foundation in harmony, rhythm, and melody, which are crucial for creating compelling musical narratives. The course’s emphasis on chord progressions, basslines, and song structure can be directly applied to composition. A music composer can also use the course to help explore different keys and modes for unique textures and emotional impact. The course will help a music composer create structured and nuanced compositions.
DJ
A DJ mixes and arranges music for live performances or recordings. While DJs often focus on track selection and transitions, this course provides a deeper understanding of music theory that can enhance a DJ's skills. The course teaches key detection and transposition, enabling a DJ to seamlessly mix tracks in compatible keys. The knowledge of chord progressions and rhythms will also enhance a DJ’s selection process and the ability to layer sounds creatively. The course's focus on song structure and arrangement can also aid a DJ in understanding how to build tension during a set. Therefore, this course can be useful to a DJ.
Game Audio Designer
A game audio designer creates and implements all the sound elements of a video game. This role requires a strong grasp of sound creation, music theory, and integration. This course can help by providing techniques to create compelling chord progressions, basslines, and melodies, which are essential for creating dynamic and engaging game scores. The course's focus on rhythm and song structure can assist a game audio designer in making interactive and responsive soundscapes. The course also includes instruction on transposition, which can be helpful for adapting music to different game scenarios. Therefore, this course may be useful for a game audio designer.
Multimedia Artist
A multimedia artist creates works that integrate diverse forms of media such as music, visuals, and interactive elements. This course may be useful to a multimedia artist by building a foundation in music theory, enabling them to create original soundtracks and soundscapes for their projects. The course helps with understanding the relationship between rhythm, harmony, and melody. It also offers techniques for creating chord progressions and basslines, which are applicable in multimedia production. This course may help a multimedia artist create more immersive and cohesive multimedia experiences.
Audio Engineer
An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound, including recording, mixing, and mastering. While an audio engineer primarily focuses on the technical side of music, understanding music theory can greatly enhance their capabilities. This course helps an audio engineer, by improving their ability to work with producers and make informed decisions regarding rhythm, harmony, and melody. The course's treatment of chord progressions and song structure can provide context to the work of an audio engineer. This course may help an audio engineer communicate with musicians and shape the sound in nuanced ways.
Songwriter
A songwriter crafts lyrics, melodies, and harmonies for songs. This course may be useful to a songwriter by providing a deeper understanding of music theory, which allows for more creative song structures and progressions. This course teaches how to build chords from scratch, which makes it easier to compose compelling harmonies. The focus on melody creation and rhythm is directly applicable to songwriting. The course may be helpful to a songwriter who wishes to create more effective and memorable music.
Content Creator
A content creator produces videos, podcasts, or other digital materials for online audiences. This course may be useful for a content creator, as it provides the skills to create original music and sound effects to accompany video and audio. Understanding musical structure and theory, as taught in this course, can help add production value to work. The techniques of creating harmonic and melodic elements can be applied in creating background music or sound effects. The course offers a practical approach to these techniques. Therefore, this course might be helpful for a content creator.
Music Instructor
A music instructor teaches music theory or instrument skills to students. The knowledge gained from this course may be useful to a music instructor, as it provides a practical approach to music theory that is focused on the needs of electronic music producers. The treatment of chord progressions, basslines, and melodies can help an instructor build a strong foundation of knowledge which they can then pass on. The course's emphasis on the Piano Roll may provide a novel way to introduce music theory to new students, particularly those interested in digital music. This course may be helpful to a music instructor.
Audio Editor
An audio editor modifies and refines audio recordings for various purposes. While this role focuses on the technical aspects of audio, a basic understanding of music theory, as may be gained from this course, can be valuable. An audio editor who has an understanding of chord progressions, rhythms, and song structure may be able to make more nuanced decisions. The course may help an audio editor improve their creative approach to the editing of audio. This course may be helpful to an audio editor.
Music Supervisor
A music supervisor selects and licenses music for film, television, and other media. This course may be a good fit for a music supervisor. While this role focuses on curating music, a strong understanding of music theory, such as that taught by this course, can enhance a music supervisor's ability to evaluate and select music. The course's teaching of chord progressions, rhythms, and song structure may help a music supervisor to identify the technical and emotive qualities of musical pieces. This course may be helpful to a music supervisor.
Artist Manager
An artist manager oversees the business and career strategy of musicians. This course may be useful to an artist manager as a way to gain a deeper understanding of the music production process and the creative aspects of the music business. Such an understanding may help an artist manager communicate with musicians and other members of their team. The course specifically addresses elements of music theory that are pertinent to those in music production. This course may be useful to improve an artist manager's understanding of music production.

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 Music Producers - Complete Guide.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory, covering topics from basic notation to more advanced concepts like harmony and counterpoint. It's particularly useful for beginners who want a solid foundation before applying music theory to electronic music production. While not specific to electronic music, it offers a broad understanding that complements the course material. This book helpful reference for understanding the underlying principles of music theory.
While not directly related to music theory, this book provides invaluable insights into mixing and mastering electronic music. It covers techniques for achieving a professional sound in a home studio environment. Understanding mixing and mastering is crucial for electronic music producers to ensure their tracks sound polished and radio-ready. is more valuable as additional reading to improve the overall quality of your productions.

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