ZW Buckley/Step-By-Step Songwriting: Music Theory for Producers (Premium Version)

  • $297

Step-By-Step Songwriting: Music Theory for Producers (Premium Version)

  • Closed
  • Course
  • Discord access

✅ 5 modules starting with rhythm and finishing with song form ✅ Weekly songwriting assignments and exercises ✅ Lifetime access, with all future updates included ⭐️ Personalized song feedback from me (Premium Version Only) ⭐️ Access to course Discord community (Premium Version Only)

Contents

Intro

Intro


Much like how they function in a song, this course intro will help prep you for what's ahead.

Welcome!
What this Course Will Cover
How this Course is Structured
A Note on Sound Design and Production
Version Control is Your Friend

Module 1: Drums + Rhythm

Welcome to Module 1!


In this module, you'll begin to build the foundations of your music theory knowledge by learning about the concept of rhythm and how it's used to create drum grooves. Select Lesson 1 below to begin.

Lesson 1: Rhythm, Time Signatures, and Tempo
Lesson 2: Subdivisions
Exercise: Identifying the subdivisions in popular drum patterns
Answer: Identifying the Subdivisions in Drum Patterns
Lesson 3: Pulse, Syncopation, and Accents
Lesson 4: Swing and Triplets
Lesson 5: Creating Your Own Drum Beat
Demonstration: Drums
Songwriting Assignment: Drums

Module 2: Melodies + Scales

Welcome to Module 2!


In this module, you'll continue to grow your music theory knowledge by learning about scales and how they are used to create the melodies in our songs. Select Lesson 1 below to begin.

Lesson 1: Frequency, Pitch, and the Octave
Lesson 2: Intervals
Lesson 3: Scales
Lesson 4: Writing Your Own Melodies
Lesson 5: Writing Melodies with Structure
Demonstration: Melodies
Songwriting Assignment: Melodies

Module 3: Chords + Key Signatures

Welcome to Module 3!


In this module, you'll continue to grow your music theory knowledge by learning about key signatures and how they are used to help you organize and write the chord progressions in your songs. Select Lesson 1 below to begin.

Lesson 1: Chords and Chord Qualities
Lesson 2: Chords and Key Signatures
Lesson 3: Relative Keys
Lesson 4: Chords and Melodies
Lesson 5: Chord Substitutions
Lesson 6: Chord Extensions
Lesson 7: Chord Inversions
Demonstration: Chord Progressions
Songwriting Assignment: Chord Progressions

Module 4: Bass Lines + Harmony

Welcome to Module 4!


In this module, you'll continue to grow your music theory knowledge by learning about bass lines and the important role they play in supporting all the other elements within your songs. Select Lesson 1 below to begin.

Lesson 1: Bass is the Glue
Lesson 2: Bass and Rhythm
Lesson 3: Bass and Harmony (Part 1)
Lesson 4: Walking Bass Lines
Exercise: Walking Bass Lines
Answer: Walking Bass Lines
Lesson 5: Bass and Harmony (Part 2)
Lesson 6: Bass and Melody
Demonstration: Bass Lines
Songwriting Assignment: Bass Lines

Module 5: Form + Song Structure

Welcome to Module 5!


You're so close to the finish line! In this final module, you'll spend the next two weeks solidifying your understanding of music theory fundamentals by finishing your song. As you go through each lesson, you'll have the opportunity to practice all that you've learned before by creating new sections. Select Lesson 1 below to begin.

Lesson 1: Writing Chords First
Demonstration: Writing Chords First
Songwriting Assignment: Writing Chords First
Lesson 2: Writing Melodies Over Chord Progressions
Demonstration: Add a Melody to Your Chords
Songwriting Assignment: Add a Melody to Your Chords
Lesson 3: Form
Lesson 4: Crafting an Arrangement through Contrast
Demonstration: Form and Arrangement (Part 1)
Songwriting Assignment: Form and Arrangement (Part 1)
Demonstration: Form and Arrangement (Part 2)
Songwriting Assignment: Form and Arrangement (Part 2)
Lesson 5: Intros, Outros, and Bridges - Oh My!
Demonstration: Finish Your Song
Songwriting Assignment: Finish Your Song

Outro

Outro


Cue the fade out.

Congrats!
What Should You Do Next?
Resources