Master Electronic Music Theory & Songwriting Skills
Music Production course
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Songwriting For Producers
$97
$197
Learn how to craft impressive chord progressions & catchy melodies, turn unfinished loops into full songs, and start each new project with confidence and momentum.
113+ HD Video Lessons
Stream anytime, anywhere. 20+ hours of tutorials.
Follow in Any DAW
Taught in Ableton Live, but can be applied anywhere.
100+ Page Guidebook
Great for quickly referencing techniques while producing.
Learn by Doing
Practical exercises to develop real skills.
Instant access. Easy checkout. No fees.
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COURSE ACCESS FOR LIFE
30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Is this you?
Do any of these sound familiar?
You have hundreds of unfinished "cool ideas" gathering dust on your hard drive, but no finished songs.
You write melodies by randomly clicking notes and hoping for a "happy accident" instead of writing with intent.
You don't like dry, classical music theory that feels completely irrelevant to modern electronic music.
Your chord progressions feel flat, repetitive, or "cheesy" compared to the pros.
You’re decent at sound design and mixing, but feel lost and frustrated when it comes to actual composition.
You hear great ideas in your head, but can’t seem to translate them onto the piano roll.
If any of these resonate with you, then Songwriting For Producers is for you.
The Skill Most Producers Neglect
5 differences between producers who know songwriting and those who don't
💡
STARTING TRACKS
WITHOUT SONGWRITING
Avoid starting new tracks because they struggle to create ideas. Spend hours on YouTube tutorials avoiding writing.
WITH SONGWRITING
Look forward to opening a new project because they have the knowledge and skillset to effortlessly create new ideas.
👥
COLLABORATION
WITHOUT SONGWRITING
Worry about coming up with ideas and looking like a fraud during collaboration sessions.
WITH SONGWRITING
Confident and comfortable in collaboration sessions with artists and vocalists.
⏩
SHORTCUTS
WITHOUT SONGWRITING
You waste hours hunting for "magic" MIDI packs and chord generator plugins, hoping technology will do the creative work for you.
WITH SONGWRITING
You realize that knowledge is the ultimate shortcut. You can write the exact chord progression you hear in your head in seconds, without relying on crutches.
🎯
FINISHING SONGS
WITHOUT SONGWRITING
You have a hard drive full of 8-bar loops that sound great for 15 seconds, but you have no clue how to stretch them into a full 3-minute arrangement.
WITH SONGWRITING
You have a proven roadmap for every track. You know exactly how to write a B-section, a bridge, or an intro that flows perfectly into your drop.
😎
CONFIDENCE
WITHOUT SONGWRITING
Technical skills without musical soul. Your mixes sound clean, but your actual musical ideas feel flat and uninspired.
WITH SONGWRITING
Total mastery. You bridge the gap between technical production and musical artistry, creating songs that actually resonate emotionally.
What you'll learn inside the course
Grow your songwriting and production skillset, learn advanced techniques, and take your music to a new level. Follow along in any DAW.
CORE FUNDAMENTALS
Music Theory Basics
Starting from square one? We lay the groundwork here. Master the essentials of keys, intervals, consonance, dissonance, and chords so you never feel lost in the piano roll again.
CORE FUNDAMENTALS
Chord Progressions in Any Genre
Learn to write cohesive progressions that form the emotional foundation of your track. Discover the power of inversions, voicing, and "implied chords" to make your music sound pro.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Advanced Harmony Secrets
Transform yourself into a songwriting genius. Dive deep into techniques like chromatic movement, tonic substitution, and progression extension to give your music a unique identity.
MELODY MASTERY
Melody Writing Mastery
Master the core elements of a catchy melody. Learn exactly how to use chord tones, non-chord tones, and motifs to write hooks that get stuck in your listener's head for days.
MELODY MASTERY
Advanced Melody Tactics
Watch us deconstruct 5 hit melodies to see what makes them tick. Learn how to fix common melodic mistakes and use "Counter-Melodies" to add professional depth to your drops.
ARRANGEMENT
Structure & Arrangement
Stop getting stuck in the 8-bar loop. Learn to expertly craft a full song arrangement that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish using story perspective.
WORKFLOW
Escape the Loop Trap
Struggle to finish songs? Learn our foolproof tactics to turn a simple 8-bar loop into a full, exciting song arrangement in a single session.
ARRANGEMENT
Instrumentation & Development
Take your arrangement to the next level. Learn techniques like rephrasing and intentional instrumentation to keep your track evolving without it getting muddy.
STRUCTURE
Chorus, Verse & Bridge
The "Pop Structure" demystified. Learn exactly how to compose and arrange the key sections of a song (Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge) for maximum emotional impact.
WORKFLOW
The Compositional Workflow
Increase your output by 10x. Design a workflow specifically for composition that helps you move from "raw idea" to "final arrangement" without getting distracted by mixing.
GENRE SKILLS
Genre-Specific Techniques
Learn what makes your favorite genre tick. We break down the specific songwriting and theory techniques used in House, Future Bass, and Pop so you can replicate them.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Cohesive Songwriting
The glue that holds it all together. Learn how to write melodies around chords (and vice versa) and write basslines that lock everything into a solid groove.
Plus much more!
(View full curriculum below for all the details)
The Full Curriculum
Want all the details? Here's the full breakdown.
20+ Hours Video
4 In-Depth Modules
Structured Learning
Module 1: Introduction & Fundamentals
Theory Fundamentals
Module 1.1
1
Introduction
01:21
2
Notes
06:53
3
Intervals
02:12
4
Major Keys
07:00
5
Minor Keys
05:50
6
Note Length
06:34
7
Intervals (Continued)
11:11
8
Consonance & Dissonance
08:39
9
Chords
13:51
10
Exercises
Module 2: Chord Progression Mastery
Chord Progression Basics
Module 2.1
1
Diatonic Triad
13:59
2
Building a Chord Progression
07:32
3
Functional Harmony in a Major Key
11:58
4
Functional Harmony in a Minor Key
08:07
5
Chord Inversions
16:14
6
Open/Closed Voicing
06:24
7
Exercises
Chord Progression Writing Techniques
Module 2.2
1
Pushes, Pulls, and Repetition
08:28
2
Using Silence in Chord Progressions
05:48
3
The Power of Harmonic Rhythm
03:19
4
Common Tones & How to Leverage Them
11:44
5
Implied Chords: What, How, Why?
07:59
6
Chord Progression Walkthrough
08:01
7
Exercises
Advanced & Interesting Chords
Module 2.3
1
Seventh Chords
11:49
2
Applying & Using Seventh Chords
17:22
3
Why, When, and How to Use Chord Extensions
14:33
4
Suspended Chords
12:15
5
Augmented Chords
09:10
6
Slash Chords
09:35
7
Slash Chords (Continued)
07:43
8
Added Tones Chords
06:42
9
Exercises
Advanced & Interesting Chord Progression Techniques
Module 2.4
1
Section Overview & Understanding Modes
08:25
2
Passing Chords: What, How, Why and When?
03:15
3
Why They Do (and Don't) Matter
02:43
4
The "Pop" Borrow
04:41
5
Picardy Thirds
08:12
6
Secondary Dominants
10:42
7
Chromatic Movement & Tritone Substitution
10:24
8
Extended Progressions
16:21
9
Extended Progression Examples
13:50
10
Tonic Substitution
07:55
11
Harmonic Minor
10:18
12
Exercises
Module 3: Melody Writing Mastery
Melody Writing Fundamentals
Module 3.1
1
Section Overview
01:52
2
Chord tones & Non-Chord Tones
13:09
3
Motifs
02:45
4
The Core Elements of a Catchy & Memorable Melody
18:49
5
How to Get Good at Writing Melodies
03:26
6
Melody Writing Examples
23:17
7
Exercises
Advanced Melody Writing
Module 3.2
1
Putting Chords to a Melody
14:13
2
Understanding and Using Tonal Center
11:29
3
Rhythm-First Technique
06:45
4
Call & Response
09:07
5
Extending a Melodic Phrase
12:54
6
The Importance of Note Length
03:56
7
Borrowing From Existing Melodies
12:39
8
The Quantity Approach to Writing Good Melodies
03:56
9
The Importance of Focus
04:34
10
Exercises
Melody Deconstructions & Workshops
Module 3.3
1
Melody Deconstruction #1: LSD – Audio
12:19
2
Melody Deconstruction #2: NVDES – D.Y.T
14:43
3
Melody Deconstruction #3: Branchez x What So Not – High You Are
06:57
4
Melody Deconstruction #4: Madeon & Porter Robinson – Shelter
16:00
5
Melody Deconstruction #5: San Holo – One Thing
12:03
6
Workshop: Fixing Common Melody Mistakes
21:21
7
Workshop: Mastering Counter Melodies
27:33
8
Exercises
Module 4: Structure & Arrangement
Structure & Arrangement Fundamentals
Module 4.1
html
1
Why do you struggle with arrangement?
02:19
2
Classic Song Structure
03:36
3
Song Form & Meaningful Distinction
04:49
4
Using Reference Tracks like a Pro
13:41
5
Rearranging Existing Content
14:41
6
How to Escape the Loop Trap
04:26
7
Theory Perspective
11:20
8
Arrangement Pitfalls
05:21
9
Story Perspective
02:03
10
Exercises
Compositional Development
Module 4.2
1
Rephrasing – Presentation (Part 1)
12:37
2
Rephrasing – Presentation (Part 2)
13:10
3
Rephrasing – Instrumentation
06:05
4
Rephrasing – Main Takeaways + Examples
10:19
5
How to Switch Chord Progressions
10:07
6
Tension & Release
02:34
7
Arrangement Walkthrough
29:07
8
Exercises
Advanced Arrangement Techniques
Module 4.3
1
Three Clever Arrangement Workflows
05:02
2
Arrangement Feedback
01:25
3
Responding to the Arrangement
01:54
4
Pre-Chorus Writing Techniques
21:47
5
Post-Chorus Writing Techniques
11:20
6
Bridge Writing Techniques
13:26
7
Which Keys Should You Write in?
03:12
8
Changing Keys
01:31
9
Modes – Part 1: Intro
02:36
10
Modes – Part 2: Practical Theory
10:25
11
Modes – Part 3: How to Write With Them
09:37
12
Modes – Part 4: Walkthrough
12:35
13
Exercises
12 Genre-Specific Breakdowns
Go beyond the training modules. Learn the songwriting techniques and tactics from your favorite genres and artists.
29 min
Future Bass
Song 1
Illenium — Fractures
Song 2
Flume — Say It
40 min
Future House
Song 1
Tchami - Promises
Song 2
Zeds Dead & Oliver Heldens – You Know
38 min
Electro House
Song 1
Skrillex & Poo Bear – Would You Ever
Song 2
Madeon – Imperium
48 min
Deep House
Song 1
Sam Feldt – Show Me Love (EDX Remix)
Song 2
Disclosure – Willing & Able
56 min
Pop
Song 1
The Chainsmokers – Side Effects
Song 2
Calvin Harris – Slide
56 min
Progressive House
Song 1
Zedd – Clarity (feat. Foxes)
Song 2
Deadmau5 – Pets
56 min
Dubstep
Song 1
Virtual Riot – Show Up ft. Virus Syndicate
Song 2
Flight Facilities – Crave you feat. Giselle
56 min
Tropical House
Song 1
Kygo – Stole The Show
Song 2
Matoma & Becky Hill – False Alarm
56 min
R&B/Future Beats
Song 1
Jeremih – oui
Song 2
Sam Gellaitry – Shake
56 min
Chill/Indie
Song 1
Virtual Riot – Show Up ft. Virus Syndicate Flight
Song 2
Facilities – Crave you feat. Giselle
56 min
Melodic/Progressive House
Song 1
Alina Baraz & Galimatias – Fantasy
Song 2
ODESZA – Say My Name (feat. Zyra)
56 min
Trance
Song 1
Alpha 9 – All We Need/The Night is Ours
Song 2
Seven Lions & Jason Ross – Higher Love
×
+ Three Bonuses to Level Up Your Music
Songwriting For Producers Guidebook
A 100+ page guidebook that serves as an aid and reference while you work through the course. Use it while producing to quickly reference a technique or idea (without having to go back through video lessons to find it).
MIDI Songstarter & Study Pack
A professionally-crafted folder of 500+ MIDI files to study, tweak, and use in your own productions. Features chords, melodies, and full song arrangements in 10 different genres.
Track Breakdown Masterclass
A 45-minute masterclass that shows you exactly how to analyze and break down your favourite songs to discover new techniques, ideas and inspiration. Includes bonus quick-reference cheat sheet + ear training guide.
Meet Your Expert Instructor
Connor O'Brien
Hi, I’m Connor O’Brien, the course instructor for Songwriting For Producers.
My original productions have gained over 3 million streams Spotify and YouTube, with features by Billboard and Earmilk.
I’ve released 4 Beatport Sounds #1 sample packs.
As a songwriter, I’ve placed vocals with artists such as Nora en Pure (Spinning, Enormous Tunes), Kura (Spinnin’), and Going Deeper (Armada, Hexagon).
3M+
Spotify Streams
10k+
Students Taught
Who is this course for?
Songwriting For Producers is for you if:
- You know nothing about music theory and want a comprehensive course that will help you develop your knowledge and skills rapidly.
- You struggle to write good chord progressions and/or melodies.
- You know how to write progressions but struggle to turn them into a full song that flows well.
- Your music sounds good, but you want to refine it and develop your own unique sound.
This is NOT for you if:
- You're not willing to put in some effort learning this stuff.
- You want a quick hack for writing amazing songs (hint: there isn't one).
- You're already a seasoned pro producing catchy, memorable songs that get tons of streams.
Ready to get started?
Enroll in Songwriting For Producers today or dive into our All-Access Bundle
Songwriting For Producers
Master electronic music theory and songwriting skills
$97
$197
One-time payment
-
4 comprehensive training modules
-
12 genre-specific breakdowns
-
100+ page guidebook
-
MIDI songstarter & study pack
-
Lifetime access & all future updates
BEST VALUE
$397
2,134
One-time payment
-
Songwriting For Producers
-
EDM Foundations
-
Mixing For Producers
-
Mastering For Producers
-
Breakthrough Sound Design
-
Drums By Design
-
25+ Bonus Courses ($1,000+ value)
-
Lifetime access & all future updates
30
DAY
Try It 100% Risk-Free
The 30-Day 'Better Producer' GuaranteeWe are so confident that this course will transform your music production skills that we're willing to take all the risk.
Join the course today. Watch the lessons, do some exercises, apply the techniques to your own music. If you don't feel like you've learned more in 4 weeks than you have in the last year, simply email us for a full refund. No questions asked.
Sam Matla
Founder, EDMProd
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the course.
How much experience do I need to take this course?
Songwriting For Producers is for all skill levels.
If you’re a complete beginner to songwriting and production, the theory basics module will get you up to speed before you go through the rest of the course.
If you’re an intermediate or advanced producer, the in-depth training videos will help you add a unique edge to your music, while further deepening your skillset.
Note: If you’re looking to learn all aspects electronic music production from scratch, then we recommend our EDM Foundations course for beginners.
What's the time commitment?
Songwriting For Producers is a comprehensive course. With the genre-specific breakdowns included, it’s over 20 hours long. It will take you some time to get through everything, but there’s no rush. The course is completely self-paced, so you can stop & start however you like. No deadlines. No pressure.
Remember, you get lifetime access to the course and can revisit the material indefinitely.
What equipment, gear and software do I need?
Songwriting For Producers is a “DAW-agnostic” course, meaning you can follow along in any DAW because the principles are not software specific. The video lessons are taught in Ableton Live, but we have a diverse range of students using different DAWs.
Beyond that, you don’t need any further gear, plugins or software to take this course. Only a DAW (like Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Reason, etc) is needed.
Isn't this just a music theory course?
While the course teaches a lot of music theory, it does so in the wider context of electronic music production.
Most producers avoid learning music theory because they find it boring, or the material they’re learning from isn’t relevant enough to the music they want to make.
Songwriting For Producers teaches you how to write great music, and to do that, some theory knowledge is extremely helpful.
Many of the lessons go beyond “music theory” and teach practical production and compositional techniques that make sense in the context of the full creative process.
In short: it’s not just a music theory course. It’s much more than that.
Is this course taught live?
No. The course consists of pre-recorded videos. These can be streamed inside the course platform.
What genre of electronic music is this for?
This course is designed for ANY genre of electronic music.
This includes (but isn’t limited to): trap, dubstep, future bass, house, tech house, techno, trance, melodic house/techno, drum & bass, garage, indie, chill, pop, hip-hop and more.
Do I need to play an instrument or have a MIDI keyboard for this?
Nope – all of the course is demonstrated via the piano roll, which means you don’t have to play any instruments in real time.
If you do play an instrument, it might help a bit, but it’s not essential.
How do I get access/what happens when I sign up?
This course is completely online-based.
As soon as you make your payment, you’ll be instantly enrolled in the course platform and you can start the course straight away.
Isn't everything on YouTube already?
This is a fully comprehensive course that teaches you electronic music songwriting from the foundations up – step-by-step. It’s also delivered by a pro in the industry, not just anybody (Connor has millions of streams across his productions).
You won’t find anything this comprehensive just lying around on YouTube – and while you might find a few tips or tricks that we use throughout this course in a tutorials, it won’t provide you with the full picture that makes you a great songwriter.
Still have questions?
We're happy to help. Email us at support@edmprod.com and we'll get back to you ASAP.