Music Theory for Producers
Practical music theory taught through the piano roll rather than sheet music. Learn intervals, keys and modes, build chord progressions with roman numerals, write basslines and melodies that fit, and program groove and swing.
Start the course5 lessons · 40 min · free
What you'll be able to do
- Read the piano roll as intervals and find any major or minor scale from its formula
- Pick a key and mode that matches the mood you want
- Build and transpose chord progressions using roman numerals
- Write basslines and melodies that lock to the chords
- Program syncopation and swing that make a pattern groove
Lessons
- 1Notes, Intervals and the Piano RollThe twelve notes, how semitones and intervals work, and how to read the piano roll as distances instead of note names.7 min
- 2Scales, Keys and the Modes Producers UseMajor and minor scale formulas, how keys work, relative keys, and the handful of modes — Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian — that define genres.8 min
- 3Chords and Common ProgressionsTriads, sevenths and voicings, the chords of each key in roman numerals, and the progressions behind thousands of songs.9 min
- 4Writing Basslines and Melodies That FitChord tones on strong beats, passing notes in between, register and contour: how to make bass and melody lock to a progression.8 min
- 5Rhythm, Syncopation, Groove and SwingSubdivisions, syncopation, swing percentages, velocity and micro-timing — the details that make a pattern groove instead of tick.8 min
Next up:
Beat Making & Drum Programming
Program drums that groove, from the first kick to a finished pattern.