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Chord Control:

Learn Music Theory & Composition 100% in the Piano Roll

The Producers Guide to Writing Music In Your DAW with Intention

 No piano or previous theory required.

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Stop Guessing. Start Composing.

Fundamentals & Workflows

Learn directly on the piano roll. Each lesson will give you new tools & inspiration to create.

MIDI Progressions & Database

Download tools that help you compose with intentionality & control.

Answers To Your Questions

Have a question? Send me a message - happy to help if I can.

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Bridge the Gap Between The Ideas In Your Head & The Music Coming Out Of Your DAW

If writing in the piano roll feels like a frustrating guessing game - instead of a free canvas of inspiration - here's why:

You make music in a DAW.
You're not using sheet music.
You're not writing on a traditional instrument.

But almost all theory & composition is taught as if you are.

This leaves you trying to piece together scattered tutorials from:

1. Producer videos giving "quick tricks" instead of deep understanding.
2. Instrumentalists who are skilled, but can't communicate in your language - the language of the piano roll.
3. Dense classical resources that give rigid rules disconnected from modern songwriting & production.

This causes many producers to be stuck for years, trying to hide weak writing under production tricks, expensive mix plugins and sound design...

But none of this can ever fix a note or rhythm that doesn't feel right.


Enter Chord Control - The Music Writing Course for DAW Users

It helps theory make sense in a way that lets you write with clarity and control - all in the language of the piano roll.

But more than that, it connects the dots to the bigger picture of how ideas become professional tracks.

Chord Control will help you:

  • Pick notes with speed and intention, instead of feeling like it's a guessing game that breaks your flow.
  • Write ideas that feel alive with less time wasted in plugins trying to overcompensate for bland ideas.
  • Finish music more consistently by systemizing your process and seeing your tracks from a higher-level perspective.
  • Waste less time searching YouTube, trying to stitch together insights from random sources.
  • Make sense of the theory you already know so it finally becomes useful instead of restrictive.
  • Understand what each role in production serves - writing, sounds, mixing, mastering - to help you see what matters at each stage.
  • Design sounds that support your compositions, with less time scrolling presets hoping to stumble into something that works.
  • Develop your unique musical voice without relying on loops, chord plugins or generative tools. 
  • Feel more confident sharing your work, helping you leave behind a body of work you're proud of and attract aligned opportunities.


It's For Anyone Who Writes Music In a DAW And Wants To Feel More Connected & Intentional About Their Decisions

Students include:

  • Hobbyists who want to write from their own voice instead of relying on external tools.

  • Intermediates who want to refine their style & finish with more consistency.

  • Working professionals who want practical mindsets to compose faster, with more intention.

If you love making music - and you love learning about how it works - then you'll feel right at home inside Chord Control.

I can't recommend Avery's course enough.

He approaches chord building and producing concepts better than any other teacher I've found online.

In less than a couple months the money I invested has paid itself back in time saved and skill improvement. Less unsuccessful searching on YouTube, more writing and producing with intention.

If you wanna become a more confident and efficient writer / producer, Avery's your man.

Tyler Lombard, 

U.S. Billboard #1 and Platinum-selling Songwriter 

The Core Skills You'll Build in

CHORD CONTROL

Grow your stack of skills using frameworks, not guesswork.

Write chords, melodies & sketches from scratch

Scales, triads, extensions, modes, inversions, voicings, melody patterns, ostinatos, arpeggios... 

Learn universal theory & writing frameworks to compose using nothing but the mouse and piano roll.

This is the fun stuff you'll use for the rest of your life, on every song you compose!

 

Turn sketches into finished tracks

Transform an idea into multiple styles using the "Sketch to Production" workflow - a common technique used by professionals. 

This will open your mind to bringing your ideas into any world you want.

Sample the first 5 minutes from this lesson.

 

Use any reference track to build "creative rules"

Learn to analyze any song to give yourself customized guidelines to follow - from template setup to sound selection to arrangement & more.

Getting good at this is how you teach yourself music, and capture the essence of any genre or artist... then bring it into your own world.

You'll watch me produce a whole track from a reference.

Compose with orchestral VSTs

Turn simple progressions into powerful orchestrations, write string ostinatos that bring momentum, and craft lush cinematic moments.

These concepts are awesome because they work for any sounds - not just the orchestra.

I love this because it shows how far you can take a basic chord progression!

 

Compose with electronic sounds you make from scratch

Reese basses, chord plucks, supersaws... electronic sounds are everywhere in modern music.

You'll design "foundational sounds" from scratch, create movement with automation, and learn to think like an electronic composer.

I use Serum for sound design, but this works in any similar synth, including Serum 2. You'll also get 100+ presets to use immediately.

 

Professional production techniques

Go inside 20+ projects - from orchestral to electronic to rock to trap. Learn techniques to arrange, layer, create ear candy & more.

You'll also reinforce the sketch -> production lesson - seeing full tracks start from simple ideas. 

I've had several students build new tracks after being inspired by one of these breakdowns!

Strategies to grow authentically

Learn 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.

It's not about following trends - it's about self-discovery through your art, and allowing that to attract aligned opportunities.

I want to help you become the best version of yourself!

BONUS CONTENT

Tools to Stay Inspired & Creating

"Purposeful Progressions" MIDI Chord Pack

100+ progressions organized by type and emotion. This is different from most packs, because it's about helping you pick chords with emotional intention. 

You'll use this over and over again.

Chord Progression Notion Database

I spent months working on this database. It's filled with proven progressions that are used all across music styles. I've given each an emotive name, with notes about it's use.

Think of this like your chord writing companion. A fantastic way to explore proven progressions yourself all across emotions.

Lifetime Updates Included

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

About Me:

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

My work has been heard by millions, and used by thousands of creators and brands, including Uber, Major League Baseball, Volkswagen, and KSHMR.

I remember how frustrating writing music used to feel. Scattered tutorials, disconnected advice, lessons taught in sheet music... 

I hope to make music just make sense for you as someone working in the DAW.

Send a message if you have a question, now or after joining.

Instagram.com/_averyberman
[email protected]

190+ Practical Lessons Designed to Get You Composing Fast

  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. 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

ENROLL NOW

Start Instantly - Get Everything

✓ 190+ structured lessons
✓ Purposeful Progressions MIDI Pack
✓ Chord Database
✓ 100+ Serum presets
✓ Messaging support
✓ All future updates included
✓ Money-back guarantee

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Frequently asked questions

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