A system for exploring and composing electronic music.

We have too many options for creating electronic music. Too many tools, too many workflows, too many tutorials, we lose ourselves.

If you want to explore musical space, it helps to have a simple system, a muscle you can train that will give you a solid basis, ground beneath your feet, so you can have fun trying new things without being overwhelmed.

The triangle method is just 4 steps, that you repeat again and again to generate musical options for yourself. You then combine those options to create compositions. It's easy to grasp, but it's deep enough to last a lifetime.

If you have finished the Foundations of Electronic Music level 1, you know enough to start exploring the Triangle Method. Use any combination of hardware and software you like, the method works for all tools and all genres.

What's included?

This course has 11 hours of content:

  • 9 sequencing videos
  • 16 sound source videos
  • 13 effects videos
  • 6 videos about the method
  • 3 bonus videos about arrangement, mixing, and music theory
  • the Principles of Composition (mini-course)

Each video is about 20min long and has a theory section & a practical application of the method.

A buffet of techniques

This is a map of everything (almost) that is possible in electronic music.

Every dot in this map has a corresponding video in the course.

Choose a green, a blue and a pink dot, apply the triangle method, and explore musical space for yourself. Once you want more inspiration, come back and choose 3 more dots. Repeat... forever?

The principles of composition

a mini-course on the artistic fundamentals

Art isn't random. Talent isn't everything. Most artistic impact comes from tasteful application of a series of learnable principles. Balance, rhythm, contrast, etc. Together we look at 8 such principles in a mini-course within the triangle method, intended to get your artist brain working.

Print the poster at home

The map is a birds-eye-view of the Triangle Method. You'll get the high-quality version of it if you want to print it poster-size, but we also designed it so all the important info splits into 4 A4-size pages you can print on your home printer.

Education, not tutorials

Our philosophy

In the Underdog project, we aim to create an experience like you would have at a college for music — a comprehensive, grounded system for learning where you get the information you need when you are ready for it.

Underdog Electronic Music School exists on social media of course, and does short videos to satisfy the short-term dopamine fix we all crave, but at some point you want to learn 'properly', systematically, in a course with a real objective, and come out transformed at the end.

That's the goal of the Underdog Foundations (level 1&2) and the Triangle Method. Music education with an electronic point of view.

If Oscar was teaching a curriculum at a college, these would be the core elements. Now you can join in from anywhere in the world through the magic of the internet.

FAQ

  • I know the basics, should I do Foundations level 2, or Triangle Method?

    If you like the structure of Foudations 1, and want to keep learning in a linear way, step by step, Foundations Level 2 is for you. The steps are smaller & the exercises more defined.

    If you want the freedom that comes with having a workflow, then do the Triangle Method. This freedom can feel liberating, or too loose, depending on your sensibility.

  • What tools do I need?

    The Method is a universal concept that will work with any DAW and any tools. I specifically use Ableton Live 12, and some external synthesizers, to illustrate most of the concepts.

  • What if I have questions?

    There is a dedicated Discord channel for the course, where you can ask questions and get answers!

  • How long will this course take me?

    This course is very loosely structured: it's up to you to choose a path through it, experiment until you need more inspiration, and then continue. As such, the course could take the rest of your life :) There is 11 hours of content back-to-back, but that doesn't tell the whole story...

  • Will I have lifetime access to the course?

    Absolutely. Follow it, then take a break, then follow some more. Then forget about it, rediscover it, and take it several times. You do you <3.

  • Is this a live or video course?

    This is a pre-recorded video course structured for you to watch at your own tempo. The videos stay available to you to watch and re-watch. To share your learning journey with others on the same path, come to the Underdog Discord channel!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Intro & The Method

    • How to use this course

    • An example of the triangle method

    • Setting up your workspace
  • 2

    1. Sequencing methods

    • 1.1 x0x style sequencing

    • 1.2 303 style sequencing

    • 1.3 Polymeters

    • 1.4 Euclidian rhythms

    • 1.5 Polyrhythms

    • 1.6 Chord progressions & complex arpeggiators

    • 1.7 Manually triggered

    • 1.8 Manually muting/unmuting

    • 1.9 Modulating the sequencer
  • 3

    2. Sound source methods

    • 2.0 Shaping timbres & dynamics

    • 2.1 Hardware vs Software

    • Synth (monophonic)

    • Synth (polyphonic)

    • Synth (FM)

    • Synth (wavetable)

    • Synth (physical modelling)

    • Synth (modular)

    • Sampler (classic)

    • Sampler (multisampler)

    • Sampler (chord planing)

    • Sampler (warp artefacts)

    • Sampler (field recording)

    • Acoustic (using microphones)

    • Acoustic (vocal timbres)

    • Acoustic (instruments)
  • 4

    3. Effect methods

    • Delay (tap delay)

    • Delay (dub delay)

    • Delay (granular delay)

    • Reverb (for space)

    • Reverb (for sound design)

    • Reverb (smear)

    • Timbre (filters)

    • Timbre (ring modulation)

    • Timbre (distortion and amps)

    • Timbre (phasers et al.) fffix

    • Pitch (pitch vs frequency)

    • Pitch (pitch vs formant)

    • Pitch (vocoders and resonators)
  • 5

    4. Modulate / Perform / Resample

    • Modulate

    • Perform

    • Resample
  • 6

    Bonus videos

    • Harmony for three voices

    • Arrangement

    • Mixing basics
  • 7

    The Principles of Composition

    • 1. Balance

    • 2. Rhythm

    • 3. Movement

    • 4. Proportion

    • 5. Emphasis

    • 6. Contrast

    • 7. Patterns and repetition

    • 8. Unity and variety
  • 8

    Goodbye

    • Goodbye