Theory Archives - EDMProd

Episodes

1. 8

   Music Scales for EDM Producers: All You Need to Know 🎼

   Music scales are the foundation of music. Without scales, we wouldn’t be able to write the music we do. Or at least, not as easily! Overlooked by beginners, music scales are your best tool to write catchy melodies. This is because a music scale determines which notes sound good together, and over...

   Apr 19, 2023
2. 7

   The Lydian Mode: A Secret Scale For More Colourful Music

   Ever heard of the Lydian mode? Or the Lydian scale? 🤔 Chances are if you’re here, you may have. But you’re not sure how to write music using it. There’s a reason many artists across genres and styles (particularly in jazz-influenced music) have used it to add that extra splash of color in their...

   Dec 6, 2021
3. 6

   9 Killer Tips for Writing Better Bass Lines

   Bass lines are fundamental in electronic and dance music. Yet, most producers woefully underuse this powerful element in their music. They end up with boring basses that follow their chords, and that repeat throughout the track. I’ve even been guilty of this myself, but today I’m going to show…

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   Dec 23, 2019
4. 5

   The Theory & Arrangement Behind Louis The Child’s “Better Not (ft. Wafia)”

   Welcome to the eleventh installment of my article series, Track Breakdowns. In this series, I look at the theory and arrangement behind popular songs, ultimately showing you what makes each song work. In this breakdown, we’ll look at Louis The Child’s track Better Not, featuring Wafia. After...

   Jul 10, 2018
5. 4

   How to Write a Catchy & Memorable Chord Progression

   Want to master the theory, chord progression and arrangement framework behind unique and memorable electronic music? Check out Songwriting For Producers. Chord progressions are the staple of any good song. In fact, they can make or break a track. But they’re hard to write, let alone write well...

   Mar 4, 2018
6. 3

   Chord Composition and Production

   Blurred Chords It’s easy for chords to sound generic. Take pads, for example. It’s easy to slip into using the same preset, the same progression, the same voicing, etc. This article should help give you an idea of how to make your chords less generic, more full, and something that stands on their...

   Jan 12, 2015
7. 2

   TL;DR Theory: Diatonic Minor Chords

   This TL;DR Music Theory post explains diatonic minor chords and why the harmonic minor scale comes into play. As mentioned earlier, “diatonic” refers to notes in a key. If we play a scale with diatonic chords, there are certain chord qualities that we must follow to be in key. For a more in depth...

   Feb 1, 2014
8. 1

   Music Theory: The TL;DR Version (2025)

   For too long the EDM world has overlooked music theory, or only superficially skimmed the surface. So I made this guide – a comprehensive, in-depth look at music theory and how it applies to electronic music production. I’ve made posts as concise as digestible as possible. In other words, this is...

   Nov 1, 2013