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Music Theory Hacks w/ Saytek

Music Theory Hacks w/ Saytek

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Course Contents

Course Preview

Major & minor scale hacks

Working in key

Creating moods with different types of chords

Live Q & A

Q & A

About This Course

In this lesson Saytek reveals some music theory hacks to improve your music production in Ableton Live.

He will teach you music theory hacks to help your workflow and ensure that you write functional harmonies and melodies. He will offer production tips and explain how you can choose the right chord to evoke emotion, create and release tension and much more.

You will learn:

  • Theory Hacks for how to write major chords
  • Theory Hacks for how to write minor chords
  • Theory Hacks to ensure you stay in key
  • What are the different types of chords
  • When you should use each type of chord
  • How to use Ableton Live’s chord and scale plugins

Lessons: 

1. Major & Minor Scale Hacks

Saytek explains why music theory is important, how it can help your music production and shares helpful tools such as KeyDetect that can aid you. He will teach you a clever shortcut for working out which notes belong in any diatonic major or minor scale. You will learn how to apply a pattern in the sequence of intervals between the notes of a major/minor scale, and how to then transpose these notes to different keys.

2. Working In Key

How to ensure that you work within key. Saytek will show you how to apply the technique we learnt in the previous section to only compose in the key you are working in. He will also teach you the different types of chords such as the major, minor, diminished, major seventh and minor seventh. 

  • Working in Key
  • Creating Chords
  • What Is The Difference Between a Major & Minor Chord

3. Creating Moods With Different Types Of Chords

Find out why certain chord patterns evoke emotion and mood and learn how to resolve a sequence of chords that feel unfinished. Saytek also shares some tips for how to use inversions and build tension in a breakdown.

  • How Chords Can Create Feelings/Moods
  • Chord Inversions
  • Creating & Resolving Tension

4. Live Q&A

Saytek answers questions about music theory.

  • Why is there a sharp in the scale spacing example you showed us? 
  • What transition of notes or scales would you suggest for melodic flow to create energy on the dancefloor?
  • Can you use major and minor chords in the same key? And can you develop from one key to another and then resolve back to the original key?
  • Can I hack my keyboard to only play chords in a particular key? Is there a plugin that can do this for me?
  • What’s the formula for working out the relative key?
  • Is Saytek going to cover his Ableton Live rig integration in a future course?
  • Can you share a hack for a groovy bassline structure in relation to scale and key?

Meet Your Teacher

Saytek

Saytek (aka Joseph Keevill) has gathered some serious momentum over the last few years, becoming one of the electronic music scene’s most in-demand live acts. With global recognition for his live modular shows and releases on Carl Cox and Christopher Coe’s Awesome Soundwave label.

Saytek has garnered acclaim the world over with his improvised live shows that see him using a myriad of kit including analog synths, sequencers and drum machines alongside cutting edge digital technology to perform a unique blend of deep & hypnotic techno, acid and house that is forward-thinking yet not forgetting influences from Detroit or the UK's and Europe's fiercely inventive 90's electronic movement.

Discussions

Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!

Discussions

Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!

About This Class 

Dream of finally finishing that draft or launching that side-hustle? Make your next creative project your best yet, with simple steps from creative superstar Emma Gannon!

In this new class, Emma shares the framework that allowed her to overcome self-doubt and carve her own path as an author, broadcaster, and podcast host. The secret to her success? Fed up with feeling afraid—of failure, of not being good enough, even of success—Emma dug into the science behind self-sabotage and learned exactly how to get out of her own way.

Now, Emma is sharing what she’s learned so that you can do the same: unlock your creative potential while feeling energized and empowered! 

Together with Emma, you will:

  • Identify the patterns in your life, and let go of habits that don’t serve you
  • Cut out comparison to figure out what you really want and need
  • Silence your inner critic by talking back to negative beliefs and behaviors
  • Own your success and vulnerability—both go hand-in-hand with creativity

Packed with insights and examples from Emma’s personal journey, this class is designed for every creative who needs a pep-talk or extra push to get started—and includes five exclusive downloadable worksheets to support you along the way.

Whether you’re looking to break through block, remove self-imposed pressure, or simply approach each new project with intention, this 45-minute class will unlock your confidence as a creative. Get started and celebrate taking the first step!

______________________________

All you need to follow along is a pen and paper. Download the worksheets to follow along with Emma’s exercises, or jot your thoughts in a notebook.

Resources

  • Introduction
  • Week one

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