Mr. Chris on Electric Music
Introducing Mr. Chris of MMW
Chris teaches guitar at Music Maker Workshops. In addition to providing weekly instrumental lessons, he teaches add-on lessons for electronic music.
More music on the radio today is created with computers, synthesizers, digital sounds, and instruments. Read on to learn more about electronic music & how you can add it to your compositions.
"Mr. Chris has such a vibrant personality. He is a strong communicator and constantly strives to add creative elements to his lessons. It's really cool that he teaches electronic music at the studio.” - Shelley Yakubow, Co-Director MMW
Mr. Chris on electronic music
What is electric music?
Electronic music is created with the help of digital instruments. Most music is created on a computer using software called a DAW aka a Digital Audio Workstation. So a DAW is literally just a music-making program you run on your computer. Therefore with a DAW, you can plug in guitars, microphones, pianos, and anything! You can also import any sound you can conjure up, you just need the audio file. And then in the DAW, you can twist, warp, pitch bend, and manipulate the sounds infinitely.
How did you get into electronic music?
The kids today don’t know about MySpace, but as a teenager, MySpace was how I discovered all of my favorite music! The world of recording music in little home studios was just starting to take off and acts like A Rocket To The Moon, Never Shout Never, The Medic Droid, 3OH!3, and countless others were my first sort of exposure to electronic music. Before that I began loving electronic and pop music as a young kid with artists like Britney Spears, *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Aaron Carter.
Why do you think electronic music is so good?
All music is subjective, but I’ve always loved pop music and catchy hooks. I can’t exactly explain why the glitches and whirs of digital musical manipulation sound so good to me, but when it’s done right, it’s just the coolest.
"Chris is an energetic and passionate teacher. Each day when he walks past the office to greet his students a trail of positivity follows him. He really knows how to connect with people ." - Kim Steedman, Co-Owner of MMW
What is your favorite electronic music to listen to?
First I’ll say my favorite electronic artist right now is Charli XCX- . I love everything she does. Also, there’s a very small underground artist called “Stomach Book” creating electronic emo music that is unlike anything I’ve heard before. I highly recommend it.
However, Skrillex’s 2010 release “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” is what I imagine most people think electronic music is supposed to sound like. That album is legendary and one of my favorites! Electronic music spans so many genres in my opinion.
Plus, Kanye West’s 2013 album “Yeezus” was a groundbreaking album that had intense electronic elements to it.
Daft Punk, is potentially the most famous electronic dance DJ group. They are known for their work with The Weeknd, Pharrell, and on the soundtrack for the movie Tron. Famously Daft Punk created the song “harder better faster stronger” which was sampled by Kanye West for his international hit “Stronger."
More examples are James Blake’s self-titled album and also his mixtape “200 press”. Tame Impala’s entire discography. & Travis Scott’s “Astroworld”.
If you want to hear one of the strangest electronic artists you can find, it is “Death Grips”-. This is when electronic music becomes unlistenable but some people swear it’s the best music they’ve ever heard.
Lastly, there’s an electronic artist from Arizona, they’re called “ABSRDST”; really amazing stuff there too.
How important is it for a composer of electronic music to be able to DJ?
I think the idea of a DJ is rapidly changing. I mean I’m pretty sure DJ literally stands for Disk Jockey. However, world famous DJs such as Skrillex or Marshmello are so much more than disk jockeys. They’re unbelievably talented music composers and producers and instrumentalists.
I think modern-day electronic artists can be super niche.
Sneak peak of Chris' music
Since I was a kid I've been composting electric music.
Here’s a sneak peak of my new music video for my upcoming release, “Don’t Waste Your Time”!
What technology did you use to make this composition?
I use a DAW called Ableton to create my electronic music. I would compare my process to sitting in front of a blank canvas and splattering paint on a canvas until I’m happy with the result.
A fun fact about you?
I won best hair in the 8th grade because I had that 2008 Justin Bieber haircut and I’m still proud of that one.
Also in 2019 I took voice lessons with a vocal couch who used to work in Los Angeles and taught celebrities like Justin Timberlake!
Teaching Philosophy
I’ve studied music my whole life and I’ve had many teachers. Also, I’ve taught music for several years now, and my philosophy is simply to try your best and never give up. This is what I tell my students and what I tell myself as a teacher.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to teaching music; every student is different. So for me, trying my best means to be constantly studying music and learning from teachers and players greater than myself. Therefore never giving up means never giving in to laziness or a negative mindset.
I truly believe that anybody can master any instrument if they just put their mind to it and take the time to learn it. Moreover, I try to lead by example as a teacher and to incorporate positivity and a growth mindset into my lessons.
One word that best describes your teaching style?
Creative
Your favorite thing about teaching?
I’ve never loved anything more than I love music. Therefore it’s extremely rewarding when a student begins to understand how and why music feels and sounds the way that it does. There’s so much mystery in listening, playing, and creating music. Plus it’s the coolest feeling to help people at the beginning of their musical journey unravel the mystery. It's super gratifying when I see somebody have that “aha!” moment!
What specific things would you teach during electronic music lessons?
Composition, music, and songwriting theory, how to plug in and record instruments and vocals, how to manipulate sound, and how to mix!
Are you interested in taking lessons with Mr. Chris?
Please contact the studio at 480-706-1224 or email us at lessons@mmwaz.com for Chris' availability.