Electronic Music Composition (EMC)

Week 1: Keys, Chords & Arpeggios

Introduction to terminology of the course to establish that we are all on the same page: the keyboard, key signature of a track (root note), which notes 'work', major and minor scales, transposing in both Logic & Ableton Live, basic chords and how to make them, major & minor chords used in sequence, how to slow down a track to play/record over it easier: Ableton Live - warping, Logic - Flextime. Arpeggiating: automated & playing them yourself. All supported by plenty of videos, audio examples and projects to download.

Week 2 : Chord Progressions, Voicings & Basslines

Chords, basslines and how they work together;  chord progressions: I-IV-V minor sequence, Ableton Live chord device, note intervals,  alternative chord sequences, human chord device,  how to play shapes, different approaches to writing, different chord voicings, 1^st & 2^nd inversions, moving between chords using different voicings, playing over the top of chord device, extending chords: 7^ths, Maj 7^ths & Minor 9^ths, what chords 'go' over which tracks. Where to go with a bassline: playing different bass notes under repetitive chords, repetitive basslines under changing chords, basslines with no chords.

Week 3: Rhythm, Riffs & Melodies

Rhythm: basic and syncopated, analysing examples, using piano roll for investigation. Riffs and melodies as hooks in the track, how to improvise, choosing notes relating to chords & scales,  improvising riffs & melodies over chords, playing chords rhythmically (sometimes as hook). Soloing over instrumentals:  getting several ‘takes’ and comping them. Working with a vocal sample as main hook,  transposing vocal vs changing chords, working with an acapella, using a vocoder for melodies, playing chords rhythmically,  interweaving chords with the drum track to make hooks, playing across the groove, creating melody from electronic percussion, extra melody tips, octaving, finding the top note of a chord and re-enforcing it with another sound.

Week 4 : Final Musical Touches & Arranging

Adding final musical touches and techniques to arrange & finish your track: building up tension & release in the arrangement,  looking at the effect of changing the melody over same chords, using different chord sequences for different sections, using standard arrangement templates e.g. (ABABCB). Ways to get mileage out of tracks with only one chord sequence: emphasising beats, adding strings, arpeggios; how melody changes feel of chord sequence between verse & chorus; creating a B-section, using a high string line to build a section, modulating, relative minor changes  (e.g. A minor > C major), shift modulation (e.g. C major > C minor), circle of fifths, general use of strings, analyzing and extending an arrangement. Finish your track!