Just as science and mathematics have historical backgrounds and paths of evolution and discovery, so too does music. Understanding the building blocks of music is essential for any musical artist. It can also be a huge advantage for an engineer or producer. What is the ‘hook’? Where should it occur in a song? How do you transition to and from a verse? The answers can make the difference between a song becoming a hit or a flop. Audio engineers and producers communicate directly with artists to create their music. If an engineer can understand where the musician is trying to take his or her music, the engineer can steer a session towards acoustic perfection. Music theory applies to every facet of music including how it is perceived, scales, song structure, rhythm, harmony, melody, chords, and much more.

IAR instructor Justin Balch conducted this DIY for students and guests. Justin is an audio engineer specializing in remote recording and mixing of jazz and western classical music. He has recorded, mixed and/or edited many artists including Herbie Hancock, Chuck D, and DMC and currently does freelance recording and mixing at La Sala Studios in the East Village. Justin began with a brief history of music and defined common terms such as pitch, notes, chords, and key signatures. He played different notes, scales, and chords on a keyboard to demonstrate how emotions and feelings are created through different variations. Students engaged in a clapping exercise to hear the difference between whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. A variety of handouts were distributed to reference during the seminar but also to take and apply to work at home. The two hour demo provided the basics but only brushed the surface of a deep topic.