Electronic Music Elements

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, podcast intros, advertisement music, and even video game scoring. 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 both novice and experienced instructors that can be adapted to different course lengths. 

  • Comprehensive resources include video tutorials for students by Eric Jao with lesson plans (both video and print) along with technical guides by Bob Habersat from The Shed

  • No need for external equipment; the course is fully "in-the-box," requiring only a device 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 Cook like a Chef: 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 Drum 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 What Are Chords: Creating progressions using the chord tool.
    3.2 What Is Bass: Making bass lines from chord progressions.
    3.3 Arranging Chords & Bass: Adding variation to bass and chords.

  • 4.1 What is 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 Arranging Melodies: Counter and contrasting melodies.

  • 5.1 Arrangement and Structure: The elements of a great arrangement.
    5.2 Repetition and Variation: Working with 4-8 bar phrases.
    5.3 Transition: Crashes, sweeps, drops, and risers.

For general information and inquiries: Bob@shedthemusic.com