5.1 review

Now that you understand how the different elements of music work, it's time to put them all together to create your own full song. Listen to music from different styles and find a track that you like—this will be your reference.

Eric chose the song "Something Comforting" by Porter Robinson. You can listen to it on the Spotify player below or on Youtube.

Genre Playlists

1 | Think Like A DJ


Who is your song for, and how do you want it to affect your audience? Decide on the energy, emotion, and sounds for your song with intention. Listen to some of your favorite music and choose a song for inspiration.

2 | Drums


Create patterns with varying energy levels. Remember the main elements: snare, clap, kick, and hi-hat and what they bring to the table.

3 | Chords


Choose combinations that evoke the desired emotion—major chords for a happier feeling and minor chords for a less happy feeling. Create variations by duplicating and adjusting your chord progressions.

4 | Bass


Copy the chord clip, remove all but the bottom notes, and create rhythmic variations for low, medium, and high energy lines.

5 | Melody


Create main melodies, counter melodies, and ostinatos. Main melodies are the star, counter melodies complement them with contrast, and ostinatos provide melodic texture. Ensure your melodies are in key, singable, fit the chords, and are catchy.