In the ever-evolving landscape of modern music, it has become increasingly relevant for the well-rounded musician to learn music production skills. Behind every modern hip-hop or pop vocalist is a good music producer. In media and film composition there has been a substantial shift towards the use of virtual instrument, synthesizers, and interesting sound design to broaden sonic possibilities. Music producers also assist rock, jazz, country, folk blues, and classical musicians by recording and molding their music into a final, polished product.

Music production is the process of making music using a computer program known as a digital audio workstation (DAW). The primary focus of this course is to help students create music in a DAW from beginning to advanced levels. Students will gain an understanding of the fundamental creation process behind many genres of produced music and will have the ability to explore those genres. A focus on practical, analytical, and aural learning will give students the tools to reproduce sounds they are drawn to in order to craft their unique musical signature.

Course Goals: By the completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Record and manipulate audio
• Create sounds using virtual synthesizers
• Use audio effects such as EQ, reverb, delay, compression, and distortion
• Program drum patterns
• Expand short ideas into full tracks with contrasting sections
• Listen to music analytically to learn and draw inspiration from it
• Accumulate further knowledge from trusted sources and avoid pitfalls self-taught producers can fall into

Age Group: This class is intended for students as young as 10 years old and up. Depending on enrollment, class may be split into 2 age groups. This is a two-semester class.

Class instances: Once a week for 60 minutes. January 8th through April 29th, 2024. Mondays from 6:00-7:00pm. *14 sessions. We will be closed on 1/15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2/19 for Presidents’ Day, and 3/18 for Spring Break.

Class materials/prerequisites:

• No prior experience required!
• Consistent access and comfortability with a laptop
• Internet access
• Speakers or headphones for use at home highly encouraged

Tuition: $350/semester

Instructor: Nathan Glaser