curriculum information

Electronic Music Elements is an innovative curriculum developed in partnership with Eric Jao (Mix Major, DJ Enferno) that removes the barriers of traditional composition to make authentic music production accessible for all students. This course is uniquely tailored for grades 4-12 and emphasizes non-performance-based music creation using the DAW, Soundtrap.

What Students Will Learn:

• Master essential production tools like sequencers, chord triggers, and the piano roll.
• Craft drum patterns, chordal parts, bass lines, and melodies with intention.
• Analyze their favorite music to make informed creative decisions.
• Learn the art of arranging music with a DJ’s perspective to captivate their audience.

Real World Application:

Students will apply their skills in real-world projects like creating backing tracks for YouTube videos, producing podcasts, creating product ads, and even scoring a video game. These projects cross articulate with the fields of visual art, communication, and creative writing, offering students a chance to design, write, and produce their own creative content.

Flexible and Accessible:

  • Ideal for any educational setting, with materials for teachers with zero production experience and seasoned electronic music educators.

  • The course can be adapted to different term lengths  and class frequencies.

  • Comprehensive resources, including video tutorials for both classroom and individual student use by Eric Jao, along with video and print lesson plans, technical guides, rubrics, and a course on implementation for teachers by Bob Habersat from The Shed.

  • No need for external equipment; the course is fully "in-the-box," requiring only student devices and headphones.

Core Curriculum Map

  • 1.1 Think like A DJ: Who is the audience
    and what is the outcome. 
    1.2 The Ingredients: Drums (energy), Bass (power), Chords (emotion), Melody (Identity)
    1.3 The Cook Follow a recipe to use loops to create an EDM track

  • 2.1 What Are Drums: Identify the sounds of a drum machine.
    2.2 Writing Grooves: How to write a one bar drum groove using the sequencer
    2.3 Arranging Drums: Create low, middle, and high energy drum tracks.

  • 3.1 Chord Basics: Creating progressions using the chord tool.
    3.2 Bass Lines: Making bass lines from chord progressions.
    3.3 Variation: Adding rhythmic and textural variation to bass and chords.

  • 4.1 Copying A Melody: Copy and modify an existing melody in the piano roll.
    4.2 Writing Melodies: Write an original melody using repetition and space
    4.3 Melody Types: Main melodies, counter melodies, and ostinattos,

  • 5.1 Review: A review of Music's Elements
    5.2 Arrangement Basics Phrases, sections, and form
    5.3 Arrangement Detail: Crashes, sweeps, drops, and risers.

Testimonials

  • "I really appreciate how this course was designed to be so hands-on and accessible. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into making it not just educational but also very enjoyable and approachable. The content was very well structured, and the way it was broken down into manageable pieces made it easy to follow and apply. I found myself really getting into the projects and was surprised at how much I was able to create. The way you introduced tools and techniques gradually was really effective."

    -Yoon Soo Lim

  • "I've taken a bunch of professional development classes, mostly online. And you guys' sequencing, the quality of the videos, the information that's there, it is so well structured, well sequenced, well designed, engaging. The design of this course is really top-notch."

    -Josh Gottry

  • "I loved making music this week, and taking on the viewpoint of a student working through this stuff with no background knowledge or instrumental experience. I kept wanting to reach for my MIDI keyboard, and just forcing myself to leave it off. It was really helpful getting to know some of these other tools, including some new ones since I last used Soundtrap. I think the course sequence is going to work really nicely for my students, and I’m looking forward to giving it a go with them this fall."

    -Zach Pattison

  • "I had a BLAST making music this week. I learned so much more about how to get around in SoundTrap. Thank you, Bob and Eric, for all your hard work on the curriculum and materials. The teaching videos are fantastic! You are both excellent teachers, and I can see why your students must LOVE being in your classes! Students will definitely be engaged and learn so much with the sequence, pacing, and materials."

    - Regina Gabriel

  • "Elements is the perfect blend of purposeful music creation and a low barrier of entry for non-performing students. It is exciting to see a curriculum that allows any beginner student to make music with intention."

    - Niall Reynolds 

CONTACT US

For general information and inquiries:
Bob@shedthemusic.com

For quotes, invoices, and PO requests:
Kris@shedthemusic.com