Producing & Songwriting Course Outline (72 Hours)

Admissions requirements:
Students must successfully complete: AUD101 & AUD201

(Courses within our Recording Arts Program may not be taken on an individual basis. Most of the courses have prerequisites. Acceptance into the Recording Arts Program is determined by the School Director and/or the Admissions Director. Only students who complete the Recording Arts Program are eligible for Job Placement assistance. Contact an Admissions Representative for more information at 866-498-1122.)

Week 1: Understanding Music

Tues: Sound, Pitch, Dynamics, Timbre, Duration, and How the Ear Works,
Demonstration of Timbre Adjustments using the Yamaha EX-5
Thurs: Circle of Fifths, Intervals, Building Blocks of Chords and Scales

Week 2: Order of Sharps and Flats

Tues: Simple Chords (Triads), Introduction to Major Scales
Thurs: More on Major Scales, Introduction to Minor Scales, Frequency vs. Pitch,
Demonstration of Subtractive Synthesis using the Roland JD-800

Week 3: Simple Chord Progressions

Tues:Simple Chord Progressions using Pro Tools MIDI Programming
Thurs: Chord Inversion, Harmonic Movement, Introduction to Complex Chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths), Introduction to Frequency Ranges of Instruments
Fri: (8 hr.) LAB - Keyboard Programming Lab

Week 4: Key Centers

Tues: Modes, Modal Scales
Thurs: Fill-in Chords, Embellishing Chords, and Introduction to MIDI
Fri: (8 hr.) LAB - MIDI Configuration

Week 5: Chord Substitutions

Tues: Scales: Major, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Whole Tone,
Chromatic, Diminished,
Programming on the Yamaha RS-7000 Groove Box
Thurs: Scales: Pentatonic, Scale 1, Scale 2, Scale 3, Scale 4, Scale 5, Blues Scales

Week 6: Song Structure

Tues: Song Analysis: Introduction to Arrangement, Beats, Soundtracks, etc.
Thurs: Composing Beats, Chord Progressions, and Producing Instrumental Arrangements. Composing Beats with Protools, Reason, Grooveboxes, Digital Performer, VST Instruments

Week 7: Composition

Tues: Melody, Chord Related Scales, Revolving Around Tonal Centers, Psychology of Creating Aural Moods
Thurs: Production Planning, Production Procedures, and the Role of the Producer
Fri: (8 hr.) Producing LAB - Creating Strong Melodies that Evoke Emotion

Week 8: Actual Production

Tues: Producing and Studio Recording of Class Project: Executing the Roles of the Production Coordinator, Executive Producer, Music Producer, Arranger
Thurs: Completion and Mastering of Class Project

Class Schedules:

Check Upcoming Class Schedule for Dates & Times

Audio Engineering & Studio Techniques /Business of Music / Mixing Mastering & Post-production Audio / Producer & Songwriter Workshop/ Live Sound Reinforcement / Business Communications