Theory as a set of TOOLS

Not a set of RULES.

Theory for the Modern Musician was built for two reasons:

To give you tools you'll actually use to make music.

To give you a clear path showing how to use them creatively without overwhelm.

Ask yourself this question:

How have you tried to learn theory or harmony in the past? Was it useful in achieving your goal of making music or did it feel daunting and overwhelming?

Most theory is taught for analysts. You label chord names and memorize a bunch of terms without any explanation of how to actually use them.

This course is built for makers. We are hitting "undo" on the confusion and focusing on practical application.

I've built small, manageable exercises that immediately reinforce what you've learned and, more importantly, show you how to apply these concepts like a composer.

This is the age of unlimited information. But you still need two things to learn and internalize this stuff:

The best order to learn the essentials (so that each new concept builds on the last)
Exactly what to ignore (so you can stay creative, not overwhelmed)

A small group of Beta Testers completed this entire course together as a Cohort in May. Here's what they had to say about the experience:

Over 6 thorough (but focused) modules you'll:

Learn essential music theory that you'll actually use to write music
Gain an understanding of WHY the "rules" exist and how to break them effectively
See all concepts put to use in clear examples
Finally understand how functional harmony works and how to use it
Learn to break free from predictability with nonfunctional harmony
Put all that you learn into immediate practice with tailored compositional prompts/exercises

Still trying to decide if TftMM is right for you?

What's actually in this program?

6 Modules containing 5-7 video lessons. Each module contains specific prompts/exercises which will allow you to immediately put the most important concepts into practice.

Are there other resources included besides the videos?

Yes! I've included downloadable MIDI files, as well as a full downloadable PDF eBook containing illustrations of every example. With the MIDI files, you can drag my examples into your own DAW and compare them with your own versions of each assignment.

What do I need to know about theory coming into this course?

Not much. You don't even need to be able to read traditional notation.

If you have the ability to drag MIDI notes around in a DAW, you can do these assignments. I'll teach you the foundational things you need to know within the first couple modules of this course.

I've attempted to make this as accessible to musicians of all backgrounds as possible. MIDI is the primary teaching tool we'll use for examples - with notation only used when necessary.

While it is beginner friendly in terms of execution, it will provide composers of ANY level a fresh perspective on theory and how to apply it as inspiration to make music.

Will this course teach me EVERYTHING about music theory.

No. While I've worked very hard to give you a thorough curriculum that will provide you with all the tools you need, it's certainly not EVERYTHING you could learn about music theory.

That's a good thing. It's focused. It eliminates anything unnecessary for its single goal: helping you make music.

The promise of this program is to help demystify music theory for you and show you ways to use it creatively.

Just like my Composition Clarity System, these are the concepts I actually use, with no unnecessary filler.

Disclaimer: If you don't like the way I teach music on YouTube, you probably won't enjoy this program either.

Theory for the Modern Musician (Syllabus)

Introduction

Module 1 - Putting Notes Together Effectively

Module 2 - Functional Harmony Demystified

Module 3 - Using Functional Harmony

Module 4 - Introduction to Nonfunctional Harmony

Module 5 - Polychords and How To Use Them

Module 6 - Understanding Serialism

The average cost for one year of tuition at a music school like Berklee is $52,000+

And every year, composition students leave those schools with lots of theory knowledge and still no idea how to apply it in a creative process.

I got lucky. My teacher, Luigi Zaninelli (pictured to the right with a much younger me), wasn't just a teacher - he was DOING it. He was a composer who had studied with some of the greats (Gian Carlo Menotti, Samuel Barber, and Rosario Scalero).

Now you can learn what he taught me, combined with my own experience for a fraction of traditional tuition costs.

Theory for the Modern Musician

$499

Self-paced Course

Lifetime access to Theory for the Modern Musician - self-paced video course ($500 value)
Downloadable PDF Textbook featuring all lessons and exercises
Lifetime access to The Composition Clarity System - my flagship composition course ($500 value)
Lifetime access to Understanding Synthesis - my sound design course ($500 value)
365 Day access to the Composition Clarity Community - be part of an crew of like-minded musicians for accountability, support, and inspiration. ($1,000 value)
365 Day Cohort Pass - experience the flagship programs live via weekly Zoom workshops with me and a small group (3 Cohorts per year = $2,850 value if bought individually)
365 Day Challenge Pass - throughout the year, we'll run several week-long composition sprints. ($500 value)

ENROLL NOW

Theory + Composition Bundle

$1,000 $699

TftMM + CCS Courses

Lifetime access to Theory for the Modern Musician - self-paced video course ($500 value)
Downloadable PDF Textbook featuring all lessons and exercises
Lifetime access to The Composition Clarity System - my flagship composition course ($500 value)
Lifetime access to Understanding Synthesis - my sound design course ($500 value)
365 Day access to the Composition Clarity Community - be part of an crew of like-minded musicians for accountability, support, and inspiration. ($1,000 value)
365 Day Cohort Pass - experience the flagship programs live via weekly Zoom workshops with me and a small group (3 Cohorts per year = $2,850 value if bought individually)
365 Day Challenge Pass - throughout the year, we'll run several week-long composition sprints. ($500 value)

GET THE BUNDLE

Complete Composer Bundle (All Courses + 1 Yr. Membership)

$5,850 $1,950

Every course + One year of Community Support + Cohort Pass

Lifetime access to Theory for the Modern Musician - self-paced video course ($500 value)
Downloadable PDF Textbook featuring all lessons and exercises
Lifetime access to The Composition Clarity System - my flagship composition course ($500 value)
BONUS: My legacy flagship course, Composition Concepts for Artists (no longer available for purchase).
Lifetime access to Understanding Synthesis - my sound design course ($500 value)
365 Day access to the Composition Clarity Community - be part of an crew of like-minded musicians for accountability, support, and inspiration. ($1,000 value)
365 Day Cohort Pass - experience the flagship programs live via weekly Zoom workshops with me and a small group (3 Cohorts per year = $2,850 value if bought individually)
365 Day Challenge Pass - throughout the year, we'll run several week-long composition sprints. ($500 value)

Learn More/Get EVERYTHING

"From my first time working with Nathan, the rapport was instant. I really appreciate how genuine he is, and how completely honest his opinions are when it comes to working on music. We've collaborated on several projects, and he does not stop until the job is done. I've learned a great deal working with him, and would recommend him to anyone."

- BP Moore, recording artist/composer

"When I finished my vocal Album, and needed a producer and second set of ears I could trust, my first thought was Nathan, because of his immense experience in both classical and ambient directions.

Nathan brought a deeper sound quality, more emphasis and light or darkness to the character of the music that was already there. He gave it a new dimension and made the pieces have a third dimension; he enabled each piece to achieve its best quality."

- Maire Awadis, pianist, recording artist, composer