Mus Prod Curriculum

Course: Introduction to Music Production

SYLLABUS

Course Description

Introduction to Music Production demonstrates the primary areas of practice relevant to the vocation of professional music producers: 1) Hardware and software requirements; 2) Foundations in digital audio and MIDI; 3) Instrumental production; 4) Mixing and mastering. Throughout the course, various aspects of these topics will be introduced and developed. The focus of the course is on developing content knowledge and hands-on skill.

Introduction to Music Production explores how computer technology can be used to produce and edit digital music. Project-based learning by doing is a primary focus of this course.

Course Learning Objectives

Students should learn and be able to demonstrate:

• Basic pop music theory and composition knowledge and skills

• Understand the tools and protocols for using computer technology to create a beat (drum track) and complimentary instrumental orchestration (bass and keyboard).

• Understanding of equipment and terminology employed in music production.

• The foundations of MIDI technology and their applications within a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

• Use of computer based Digital Audio Workstations to import and manipulate digital audio (audio samples).

Course Activities

Session 1: Introduction (Lecture):

What will be learned in this course
Terminology (DAW, track, mix, EQ, mastering, etc.)
Materials - Pro tools, Audio Interface, Headphones, Classroom Speaker Monitors

Session 2: DAW (Lecture/Lab):

Learn DAW (digital audio workstation, such as Pro Tools) basics
Audio Engineering (I/O, levels, panning, EQ-ing, mastering, etc.)

Session 3: Basic pop music theory understanding (Lecture/Lab):

Basic keyboard skills and understanding of melody and harmony
Song form

Session 4: Deconstruct a pop song (Lecture/Lab):

Analyze Elements (drums, bass, chordal keys/guitar, EQ)

Session 5: MIDI (Lecture/Lab)

Software synthesizers
Create a MIDI track

Session 6: Digital Audio (Lecture/Lab):

Samples and loops
Import Audio to track

Session 7: Beat (Lecture/Lab):

Teacher demonstrates to class how to produce a drum beat
Students produce a drum beat independently

Session 8: Basic Song Composition (Chordal):

Recap Basic Music Theory
Chords in a Key
Primary chords used in pop music
Production decisions – To chord or NOT to chord.

Session 9: Song (Lecture/Lab):

Teacher demonstrates to class how to produce a Bass and Keyboard track
Students produce a bass track independently
Students produce a chordal (keyboard) track independently

Session 10: Final Exam Preparation (Lab)

Students piece together their full track with all elements, making changes and adjustments as desired.

FINAL EXAM:

Students Demo full track to class with discussion.

Introduction to Music Production Curriculum

Course: Introduction to Music Production

Units:

Course Activities

Session 1: Introduction (Lecture):

Session 2: DAW (Lecture/Lab):

Session 3: Basic pop music theory understanding (Lecture/Lab):

Session 4: Deconstruct a pop song (Lecture/Lab):

Session 5: MIDI (Lecture/Lab)

Session 6: Digital Audio (Lecture/Lab):

Session 7: Beat (Lecture/Lab):

Session 8: Basic Song Composition (Chordal):

Session 9: Song (Lecture/Lab):

Session 10: Final Exam Preparation (Lab)

FINAL EXAM:

Introduction to Music Production Curriculum

Course: Introduction to Music Production

Units:

Course Activities

Session 1: Introduction (Lecture):

Session 2: DAW (Lecture/Lab):

Session 3: Basic pop music theory understanding (Lecture/Lab):

Session 4: Deconstruct a pop song (Lecture/Lab):

Session 5: MIDI (Lecture/Lab)

Session 6: Digital Audio (Lecture/Lab):

Session 7: Beat (Lecture/Lab):

Session 8: Basic Song Composition (Chordal):

Session 9: Song (Lecture/Lab):

Session 10: Final Exam Preparation (Lab)

FINAL EXAM:

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