Building Blocks

Overview

Building Blocks is the perfect starting point for anyone new to music production or self-taught producers looking for structure and guidance. From building your first drum beat to arranging your first song, this beginner-friendly course lays the foundation for producing original music with Ableton Live.

With an emphasis on self-expression and musicianship, you’ll explore the fundamental elements of modern music production, such as drum programming, music theory, MIDI-based composition, and arrangement. After 3 months, you'll have finished your first original song and be ready to continue your music production journey.

Topics

Ableton Live
Learn the ins and outs of Ableton Live, the industry-standard software used by music makers around the world.

Beatmaking and Drum Programming
Dive into beatmaking and drum programming using Ableton Live and Ableton Push hardware. Develop your understanding of tempo, rhythm, and swing while learning how to sequence our own drum patterns.

Essential Music Theory
Dive into essential music theory concepts, including notes, scales, keys, and chords. Learn to write original pieces of music without relying on samples and pre-made loops.

Session View vs. Arrangement View
Explore the differences between Ableton's Session View and Arrangement View. Learn how to jam and brainstorm in Session View before taking your musical ideas into Arrangement View to turn them into finished songs.

Song Structure and Arrangement
Learn how to structure your music by studying popular tracks and understanding fundamental arrangement techniques. Develop the skills to transform your musical ideas into complete, well-arranged songs.