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Stop Guessing. Start Composing.

CHORD CONTROL:

Fundamentals & Frameworks for Writing Music On Demand

Learn to compose ideas that work across genres - then turn them into finished music.

No piano or previous theory required.

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Everything To Help You Write Music In The DAW

Have ever you opened the piano roll and felt stuck?

Do you fumble around chord progressions or melody ideas, unsure of how to make them feel complete?

Have you learned some theory, but feel like you don't know how to use it in the piano roll?

Are you looking for a structured way to write the music in your head into your DAW?

I made this course for you.

Hi, I’m Avery and I’ve been composing music in Logic Pro since 2008.

Over the years I’ve composed hundreds of songs, sold thousands of music licenses, and had my compositions used by Uber, Major League Baseball, Volkswagen, KSHMR and many others. I’ve also built a 70,000+ following by sharing my compositions.

As a working composer, I learned that speed and quality weren't optional - they’re the minimum requirement.

When you get a brief, the music has to get done - fast, and to a high level.

This stress forced me to learn creative frameworks I could rely on to get to "good sounding music" quickly, with enough room to explore.

I use these frameworks constantly - not only for commercial work, but for my own creative process.

They help me:

  • Bring melodies from my head to the DAW in minutes.
  • Write multiple chord options for a single melody and pick the right emotion.
  • Shift a sketch across genres to find the right energy.
  • Hear past the sound design of a song to its composition underneath.
  • Write a competitive track to a professional brief within hours.
  • Break down or improve almost any track my students share.
  • Feel emotionally connected to every note - and have fun doing it.

My approach isn’t about memorizing theory.

It’s about understanding how notes like to move - then using frameworks as creative guardrails for writing real music ideas.

Think of it as music theory + emotional connection + DAW composition frameworks.

You'll learn how to:

  • Write memorable chords and melodies from scratch.
  • Write simple sketches that can become tracks in multiple genres. 
  • Design composition-ready electronic sounds quickly.
  • Orchestrate rich arrangements from a single chord progression.

This is the “creative scaffolding” that keeps ideas flowing.

That’s why I made this course.

To help music feel more easy, free and fun - no matter what you're creating.

But most of all - to help you write from your most fundamental asset: your internal musical voice.

Because there's never been a better time to lean into the thing that makes your music, yours... 

The writing.

If you're ready to feel excited and more in-control when you open your DAW... let's begin.

The 5 Pillars of

CHORD CONTROL

1: Universal Theory Frameworks

Compose chord progressions, melodies & song sketches from scratch - then turn them into full songs with the "Sketch to Production" workflow.

 

2: Orchestral Composition Frameworks

Take simple piano sketches into lush orchestrations, write string ostinatos quickly, and bring the strength of the orchestra into any track.

 

3: Electronic Composition & Sound Design Frameworks

Make essential sounds from scratch, create movement with automation, and think like an electronic composer.

Note: I use Serum for sound design, but the frameworks work in any similar synth, including Serum 2.

 

4: Sketch to Finished Productions

From orchestral to electronic to rock to trap - see how each began from a simple sketch, then evolved into a finished production.

5: Long-Game as a Music Creator

We'll talk about the mindsets I've used to build a life on writing music. From reaching millions on YouTube & Social Media to earning 6 figures through music licensing. 

Download My Serum Presets & "Purposeful Progressions" MIDI Pack

These are assets I've made to speed up my own process and create with more intention. I hope they help you create now.

Lifetime Updates Included

As I continue to finish music I occasionally update this course with new lessons, track breakdowns or cheat sheets.

Question? Hit me up.

Ultimately, I'm just a guy who loves writing music and sharing what I've learned. Send a message if you have a question, now or after joining.

Instagram.com/_averyberman
[email protected]

Full Course Outline

  1. WELCOME

    1 lesson
    1. Intro to Chord Control

  2. THE ART OF SONG SKETCHING

    1 lesson
    1. Sketch to Production Workflow

  3. UNIVERSAL THEORY FUNDAMENTALS

    7 lessons
    1. Chords In The Major Scale
    2. Chords In The Minor Scale
    3. Major vs Minor: It's Just Perspective!
    4. Chords In ANY Scale (Featuring Double Harmonic Minor Scale)
    5. How to "Hear" Emotion in Scales
    6. Rhythm Fundamentals & "Feeling" Groove
    7. Demonstrations of Common Grooves

  4. HOW TO WRITE CHORD PROGRESSIONS

    38 lesson
    1. DOWNLOADS: MIDI Pack, Serum Presets & Chord Progression Database

    1. How to Make Great Progressions That Work Across Genres

      1. Chords & Progressions PDF Lesson
      2. How to Use Tonic, Subdominant & Dominant Functions
      3. QIUCK TIP: Start from I vi or IV
      4. How to use "Substitute Chords"
      5. Substitute Chords In Action
      6. Writing Longer Progressions With Substitutes
      7. Writing Progressions In Minor
      8. Substitutions In Minor
      9. How To Use "Bass Inversions"
      10. How to Use Chord "Voicing" for Unlimited Expression
      11. A Few Practical Voicings
      12. The Magic of I V vi IV
      13. The Magic of the i III VI VII
      14. "Diads" - How to Make Less into More
      15. STUDENT RECORDING: What are "passing chords?"

    2. How to Add Color to your Chords with 7ths & Extensions

      1. Building 7th Chords
      2. Building Extended Chords
      3. Sharp and Flat Extended Chords
      4. Writing Progressions With 7th Extended and Suspended
      5. Playing on the Keyboard
      6. 7th and Extensions under an Ostinato Examples
      7. QUICK TIP: Sus Chords vs Add Chords

    3. Add a "Mature" Sound with Secondary Dominant Chords

      1. Intro to Secondary Dominant Chords
      2. Secondary Dominants In Action
      3. The Most Common Secondary Dominant Major V in Minor Progressions

    4. Writing "Advanced" Chords (Soul, Jazz, JPop, etc)

      1. IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE WE START
      2. Instant Soul - Minor 7 9 Major 7 9 Trick
      3. Tritone Substitution
      4. Passing Diminished Chords
      5. Augmented b9 Dominant Chords
      6. Comparing SD TS PD
      7. Soul Progressions
      8. Chords In 5 Levels
      9. Tweaking a I vi IV V

    5. Extra Tips

      1. Hearing Chords Under a Vocal Sample
      2. Hooktheory
      3. Google Search for Chords

  5. HOW TO UNLOCK NEW WORLDS WITH MODES

    10 lessons
    1. Mode Chord Chart PDFs & Lesson
    2. Introduction to Modes
    3. Major vs Minor Modes
    4. Dorian
    5. Phrygian
    6. Lydian
    7. Mixolydian
    8. Locrian
    9. Modal Interchange
    10. Major Minor Interchange

  6. HOW TO WRITE GOOD MELODIES

    14 lessons
    1. USE THIS EVERYWHERE: Setup, Repeat, Vary, Destroy
    2. Magic of the Pentatonic Scale
    3. How to Hear the "Personality" of Notes
    4. STUDENT RECORDING: Emotion of Notes
    5. Framework: Rhythm Melodies
    6. Framework: Writing Melodies on Chords
    7. Framework: Building "Ostinatos"
    8. Framework: Building "Arpeggios"
    9. Framework: Building "Riffs"
    10. Framework: How to Evolve a Melodic Idea
    11. Live 10 Minute Sketch Mindset Walkthrough
    12. STUDENT RECORDING: Melody Critique & Writing with Intention
    13. STUDENT RECORDING: Demonstration to help see "chords" as "melodies"
    14. STUDENT RECORDING: "Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay (Theory & Recomposition)

  7. ORCHESTRAL COMPOSITION FRAMEWORKS

    25 lessons

    1. Setting Up

      1. Recommended VSTs Sample Libraries
      2. Making Your Orchestral Template
      3. Navigating Sample Libraries Articulations
      4. Dealing with Delay in Instruments
      5. Using Modulation Expression
      6. Personality of Instruments

    2. Composition Techniques

      1. Orchestrating Chords The Power of Layering
      2. Orchestral Sketching
      3. Epic Ostinatos
      4. How to Compose Staccato String Momentum
      5. Creating Moods Setting Scenes with Chords Orchestration
      6. Ensemble vs Solo Sounds
      7. Solo Piano to Orchestrated Concept
      8. From Chords to Orchestration Demonstration
      9. Writing Orchestral Percussion Patterns
      10. Percussion Production Techniques
      11. STUDENT RECORDING: His MIDI Idea into Epic Orchestral

    3. Orchestral Song Breakdowns

      1. Hans Zimmer - Time
      2. Adventure Awaits [My Favorite]
      3. Game Village Shop Theme Sketch to Production
      4. Hero Emerges
      5. Rock Orchestral
      6. Wurld
      7. Inspiring Future
      8. Piano Buildup

  8. ELECTRONIC SOUND DESIGN & SONGWRITING FRAMEWORKS

    51 lesson
    1. MIDI From Lessons

    1. Every Button In Serum

      1. Intro to Sound Design with Serum
      2. The Oscillators & Wavetables
      3. The Filter Compressed
      4. Envelopes, LFOs & Modulation Basics
      5. The Voicing Parameters
      6. The Macros
      7. The Mod Modulator
      8. Pitch Bend
      9. The Velocity Note Modulators
      10. Overview of the FX

    2. Essential Chord Sound Design

      1. Supersaw
      2. Supersaw Stabs
      3. 3 Steps to Big EDM Chord Melodies
      4. Slow Closer
      5. Chord Wobblers
      6. Chord Pluckers
      7. Pads

    3. Essential Bass Design

      1. Basic House Basses
      2. Midtempo Cyberpunk Bass
      3. Organ +7 Bass
      4. Plucker Bass
      5. Reso Bass Lead
      6. The 808 Bass
      7. The Sub Bass
      8. The Reese Bass
      9. The Pluck Bass
      10. Electro Slap House Bass
      11. Aggressive Bass FM

    4. Essential Lead Design

      1. Arp Plucks
      2. Pluck Leads
      3. Sync Lead
      4. Supersaw Lead
      5. Sandstorm Lead
      6. Pitch Cycler Lead

    5. Essential FX Design

      1. Tonal Risers
      2. Noise Risers

    6. Electronic Song Breakdowns & Frameworks

      1. EDM Sketch to Polished Idea Step by Step
      2. Electronic Pop Arranagement Formula
      3. Take It [Electro Pop]
      4. Tornado [EDM]
      5. All Around Us [Electro Pop]
      6. Universe Breakdown [Electro Pop]
      7. Liftoff [Electro Trap Pop]
      8. Electronic Rock Breakdown
      9. Dreaming [Electro Pop w Vocal]
      10. How To Write Melodic EDM Drops [EDM]
      11. Sketch to Production: Melodic Cinematic EDM
      12. Trance - Chord sketch to production concept
      13. Synthwave - Chord sketch to production concept
      14. Nudisco - Chord sketch to production concept

  9. FULL WORKFLOW: FROM REFERENCE TO FINISH

    29 lesson
    1. Introduction: What We Will Make

    1. Before You Start

      1. 1. How to Analyze a Reference Track
      2. 2. Song Recomposition
      3. 2.5 Sourcing Good Presets
      4. 3. Preparing Your Project
      5. 3.5 How to Setup Custom Drum Kits - Splice Sample Picking

    2. Writing The Song

      1. 4. Writing Our Verse
      2. 5. Writing our Prechorus Buildup
      3. 6. Writing the Drop Chords (read description)
      4. 7. Writing our Drop Melody
      5. 8. Refining the Drop Melody
      6. 9. Adding Sidechain Compression to Drop
      7. 10. Writing our 2nd Verse
      8. 11. Writing the 2nd Prechorus Buildup Drop
      9. 12. Writing our Outro
      10. 13. Full Sketch Listen Through Small Adjustment

    3. Mixing / Mastering

      1. 14. The 6 Mixing Tools
      2. 15. Mixing the Arpeggios
      3. 16. Mixing the Verse Chords
      4. 17. Mixing the Verse Bass Adjusting Everything Together
      5. 18. Mixing the Verse Drums FX
      6. 19. Checking the Output Level before Mixing Farther
      7. 20. Mixing the Drop Part 1
      8. 21. Mixing the Drop Melody
      9. 22. Mixing the 2nd Verse
      10. 23. Prechorus Build Drop Mix Check
      11. 24. Checking the Final Mix
      12. 25. Mastering Part 1
      13. 26. Mastering Part 2

  10. LONG-GAME AUTHENTIC GROWTH

    12 lessons
    1. How To Get Good: Everything In One Video
    2. The 3 Step "Inevitable Success" Plan
    3. Mindsets that Help Me Stay Consistent Over Years
    4. What is a "Professional" Song?
    5. STUDENT RECORDING: Philosophy of being a creator & the "3 Buckets" to categorize each song into
    6. Active vs Passive Income
    7. How to Get Work: The Big Picture
    8. Growing your "Authentic Opportunity Network"
    9. Production Music Libraries - How to Get Your Music Into TV, Film & Advertising
    10. Licensing a song for 1,200 - Email Exchange with Music Production House
    11. Intro to Performance Rights Organizations
    12. Reaching Millions through Stock Music - Avery Berman Interview

  11. BONUS PROJECT BREAKDOWNS

    10 lessons
    1. Custom Music [Brand Commercial Music Breakdown]
    2. Beat Your Meat [Video Game Theme Breakdown]
    3. Devastation [Dark Orchestral Electronic]
    4. Trap [Made for Major League Baseball Network]
    5. Real To The Ends [Trap]
    6. We Crush It [Made for Sports]
    7. Technology [Made for Corporate & Advertising Stock Use]
    8. Action Trailer [Made for Sports & Promo]
    9. Above Ground vs Underwater Theme [Dynamic Soundtrack]
    10. STUDENT RECORDING: Breaking down 2 stock track arrangements & big picture composition mindsets

Student feedback

For anyone who's opened the piano roll and felt stuck...

CHORD CONTROL:

Fundamentals & Frameworks for Writing Music On Demand

  • LEARN: 200+ Beginner to Advanced Lessons on Theory, Composition, Sound Design, Finishing Music & Long-Game Growth Mindsets $500

  • CREATE: MIDI Pack, Serum Presets & Chord Database $100

  • MOMENTUM: Open For Questions by Message

  • 30 Day Money Back Guarantee | Lifetime Updates
$197 - Split Pay Available

Frequently asked questions

Got another question? Send an email: [email protected]