20 minutes from class

Chord Theory Overview

In this session we explore the structure of chords, how to build fuller more interesting chords, combine them into a custom chord progression and learn some jazz theory by treating each chord as it's own scale. This session is designed for music producers who want to deepen their understanding of chord theory using Ableton Live as their creative playground. Whether you're composing in MIDI or playing with plugins, you'll learn practical tools to craft more emotional, expressive music.

• How to Chord Theory
  Learn the purpose and power of chord theory in modern music production, and how to apply it without needing classical training.

• The Basic Components of a Chord
  Understand the foundational building blocks—root, third, fifth, and seventh—and how each contributes to the chord’s emotional quality.

• Voicing Techniques
  Explore how note order, spacing, and inversions can drastically change the feel of a chord, and how to apply these in MIDI clips.

• Chord Extensions
  Add color and depth to your harmonies with 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, and see how they bring life to stagnant progressions.

• Sus Chords
  Discover how suspended chords create tension and ambiguity, and when to use them for cinematic or soulful effects.

• Dim & Aug Chords
  Learn how to use diminished and augmented chords for drama, modulation, and emotional storytelling.

• Altered Chords
  Dive into jazz-inspired chords with altered tones for advanced harmonic flavor and unexpected turns.

• Building Custom Progressions
  Combine everything you’ve learned to build your own unique progressions for anything from soundtrack, fusions jazz and EDM to elevate your beats, loops, and full tracks.

2 Project Examples from Class

During the workshop we created 2 project examples - one more jazz fusion and one more D&B EDM to demonstrate the chord theory we explored in class.

Both Ableton Live projects are included with the session downloads

Custom Stacks Chord Sets

Looper State Display

A MIDI Effect Rack, place this before an keys instrument to build a diatonic chord (following Live's global scale) with all possible voices.

Each voice can be transposed across 3 octaves. Shell voicing can give support with layering root note and fifths octaves below.

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• 2 Ableton Live Project Examples from Class
• Custom Stacks Chord Sets
• Diatonic Chord Generator MIDI Effect Rack
• PDF with Music Theory Notes, Best Keys Plugins and Max for Live Devices

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Yeuda Ben-Atar, a world renowned Ableton Certified Trainer, hails from Los Angeles, California. Originally from Israel, Yeuda’s passion for music led him to the United States, where he discovered his true calling with Ableton Live in 2007, embarking on a journey of mastery.

He approaches Ableton in a unique way; producing and performing with video game controllers under the moniker Side Brain.

One of Yeuda’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional knowledge and speed, combined with his unparalleled ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner.

With years of experience as a music production instructor and educator, Yeuda has contributed his expertise to prestigious institutions throughout the United States, including USC, UCLA, UCSD, Colburn Music School, Berkley School of Music, Cal Arts, NAMM, Skywalker Sounds, Bedrock LA, Sonos Studios, Sweetwater Headquarters, 1500 or Nothing studios, Grammy U, Pensado’s Place, Vintage King, Museum of Making Music, Lynda.com (now known as Linkedin Learning), and Perfect Circuit Audio, among many others.

His projects have included working with and teaching artists such as Timbaland, Ludacris, Lavel Kali(Beyonce, Drake) DJ Numark and Jurassic 5, Beck, Skrillex, Flying Lotus, Ed Sheeran, Rick Rubin, Giorgio Moroder, Simi, Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), Dave Pensado, Madison Mcferrin and countless others.