Electronic Music Performance Techniques from Coursera

From the Moog analog synthesizers in the 1960s to the contemporary usage of computers, performance controllers, and mobile devices, Electronic Digital Instruments (EDIs) have long been capable of offering artists a new range of musical expression. In this one-of-a-kind course, you’ll learn the essential skills you need to perform on an EDI.

Your instructor is EDI musician and Berklee College of Music associate professor Rishabh Rajan.

He will take you through the basics of EDI performance and give you pointers on how to build an arrangement on your EDI. Whether you have just ordered your first pad-controller or have already been experimenting with electronic music, you’ll learn the basics of performing and arranging on the EDI. You will start by building drum beats and reading drum notation. Then you will create bass lines and harmonic accompaniment. Finally, you will learn how to live loop all of these elements and perform an arrangement for a live audience.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Electronic Music Performance Techniques

Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Drum Patterns

In this first lesson, we will practice several basic drum patterns as well as look at how to create more complex drum tracks for your original songs. We will also discuss how you can program a song into your EDI to discover new ideas. Finally, we will learn how to live loop drum patterns using Ableton Live.

Harmonic Accompaniment

In this second lesson, we will look at how to play harmonic accompaniment on the EDI. We will play through several basic chord progressions and learn to play extended chords such as 7th's and 9th's. Finally, we will practice recording and looping harmonic parts.

Melody and Bass Line

Now that we have learned some basics on the EDI, it is time to start building a composition. In this lesson we will discuss how to develop an interesting bass line as well as how to improvise melodies using the Minor Blues Scale. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to create your own bass line for your original composition and practice improvising melodies on top of it.

Performing an Arrangement

In this lesson we will put together everything we have learned so far to create an arrangement to perform in front of an audience. We will discuss how to create our own sounds on Ableton and we will practice creating arrangements that build and entertain our audience. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to perform your own arrangement.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for beginners learning to perform on an EDI

Uses Ableton Live, which may be unfamiliar to learners

Taught by Rishabh Rajan, an EDI musician and Berklee College of Music associate professor

Provides hands-on exercises in building drum beats, bass lines, and harmonic accompaniment

Develops skills in live looping, a valuable technique for live performance

Reviews summary

Electronic music performance course

According to students, Electronic Music Performance Techniques is a great course for beginners in live looping and electronic music using Ableton. While some students thought the course was short and expensive, others appreciated the engaging assignments in Ableton Push and the opportunity to cover basic finger drumming. Many reviewers stressed that beginners in sound design, Ableton, and finger drumming will get the most out of the course.

Learn through hands-on experience.

"Great Class! "

"grate and clearly explain your skill gonna be developd."

Perfect for new musicians.

"This course is very good if you don't know what a chord is, if you don't know how to perform basic finger drumming, if you're new to sound design in ableton, if you just got an ableton push and don't know how to use it."

Consider the cost before enrolling.

"I think it´s to expensive, short and I expected more."

May lack depth for experienced musicians.

"This whole course is just about making a 4 bar loop and soloing over it which IMO is kinda boring."

"Lacks any info on tricks for mixing, nothing about formats (like verse, chorus, bridge) or transitioning to different songs. If you only do what is in this course your songs will be boring."

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 Electronic Music Performance Techniques with these activities:

Form a Study Group with Classmates

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Enhance your learning through collaborative discussions with peers. By forming a study group, you can exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and provide support to each other.

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Reach out to classmates and invite them to join a study group.
Establish regular meeting times and a communication channel.
Take turns leading discussions on different topics covered in the course.

Practice Basic Drum Patterns

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Develop a solid foundation in drumming by practicing basic drum patterns. This will provide a strong foundation for building more complex rhythms and beats.

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Learn the basic 4/4 drum beat.
Practice playing the beat on a drum pad or drum machine.
Experiment with different variations of the beat.

Mentor a Beginner in Electronic Music

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Strengthen your understanding of concepts by teaching and guiding a beginner in electronic music. This will help you identify areas where you can improve your own skills and reinforce your knowledge.

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Identify someone who is interested in learning electronic music.
Share your knowledge and skills by providing guidance and feedback.
Encourage the learner to explore different aspects of electronic music and develop their own style.

Two other activities

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Compose a Short Electronic Music Piece

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Demonstrate your understanding of electronic music concepts by composing a short piece that incorporates the techniques and elements discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Music Production

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Choose a specific style or genre of electronic music to focus on.
Gather inspiration from other electronic music pieces.
Experiment with different software and hardware tools for music production.
Structure your piece with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Follow Tutorials on Advanced Electronic Music Techniques

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Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring advanced techniques in electronic music production through guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Music Production Techniques

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Identify specific areas you want to improve in.
Search for online tutorials or courses that cover these techniques.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice the techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Electronic Music Performance Techniques will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Electronic Music Producer

Electronic Music Producers create and produce electronic music. This course may be useful to the Electronic Music Producer who wishes to become an EDI musician, as it teaches performance skills as well as the basics of creating an arrangement. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronic Music Producer

Sound Designer

Sound Designers create and manipulate sound effects, music, and other audio elements for various media, including films, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Sound Designer who wishes to expand their knowledge of electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Music Composer

Music Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Music Composer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their compositions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers record, mix, and master audio for a variety of purposes, including music, film, and television. This course may be useful to the Audio Engineer who wishes to expand their knowledge of electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Musician

Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments, including electronic instruments. This course may be useful to the Musician who wishes to learn how to perform on an EDI. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Performer

Performers entertain audiences with their artistic talents, such as music, dance, or acting. This course may be useful to the Performer who wishes to expand their performance skills to include electronic music. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Artist

Artists create works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, or music. This course may be useful to the Artist who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their work. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Educator

Educators teach students a variety of subjects, including music. This course may be useful to the Educator who wishes to teach electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields, including music. This course may be useful to the Researcher who wishes to study electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Music Director

Music Directors oversee the musical aspects of a production, such as a film, television show, or video game. This course may be useful to the Music Director who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their productions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the production of music, from recording to mixing and mastering. This course may be useful to the Producer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their productions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Composer

Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Composer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their compositions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Soloist

Soloists perform music by themselves, without the accompaniment of other musicians. This course may be useful to the Soloist who wishes to expand their performance skills to include electronic music. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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Band Member

Band Members perform music together as a group. This course may be useful to the Band Member who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their performances. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

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