Lession Plan: Intro to Music Production By Toine Tracks

LESSON PLAN: INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Instructor: Freddie Williams

Prepared for: Principal Mr. Gershon BL. Jackson

Banner Academy West School 5035 West North Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60639 (773) 622-6954 (Office) (773) 622-6909 (Fax)

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Course Description & Focus: In this class, students will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of music production. FL Studio 10 will be the main music production software for students to learn. In the first 4 weeks of class, we will be covering the following; Week one (Monday 10th): Introduction • Music Production History & Methodolgy (Monday 10th) 15mins Power Point Presentaion including web & video examples of old to new technology.

• Terminology: Signal flow, Cabling, Bars & Beats (Monday 10th) 15mins -picking, reverb, compression, pitch, equalizers, panning, mixing, volume, tone • Intro to FL Studio 10 music production software (Monday 10th) 60mins

During this part of the session, I will take about 60mins introducing students to the production work flow and the process. I will be using the projector & montiors to showcase demonstrations. Once I give a brief overview of the work flow, I will then focus on each software window until all students understand the basic function of each component in the work flow screen above.

FREDDIE WILLIAMS LESSON PLAN: INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION - BANNER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week one: Introduction: (Monday 10th) • Music Production Process (Monday 10th) 60mins THE CHANNEL WINDOW & STEP SEQUENCER (Gathering the sounds) I will have students follow alone at their work stations as I guide them step by step in organzining their sounds to create a beat pattern in the step sequencer window as showed below.

(From setting the tempo to velocity adjustments.)

Key words: Pitch, Velocity, Keyboard Editor, Channel Selector, Panning, Envelope, Sample

After all students are comfortable with the fuctionality of the sequencer, I will then allow them to play around in this window to for about 15mins. This is the time I will walk around to make sure each student knows how the sequencer operates. I also will take questions if there are any. After students are done playing around with this window, I will then move forward to introducing the other key windows that make up the production station. These windows are the playlist window, selection of diffent instruments, piano roll, mixer, etc.

In last 15mins of class, I will open class up for discussion to recap the day’s lesson and to make sure that each student has the basic understanding of the information that was covered.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to open the step sequencer in FL, create a beat pattern, and make velocity adjustments for each channel. Students will also be able to cite the definitions for pitch, velocity, keyboard editor, channel, selector, planning, envelope, and sample.

25A — Students who meet the standard understand the sensory elements, organizational principles and expressive qualities of the arts.

FREDDIE WILLIAMS LESSION PLAN: INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION - BANNER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week one (Tuesday 11th): • Tracking -Song Arrangement/Midi/Audio (Tuesday 11th) 3hrs Before moving forward to the day’s lesson, I recap on the pervious lesson as a refresher. I will do this for each session. After the refresher, we will get into “song arrangement & tracking”. For this session of today’s lesson, we will be focusing on the playlist window in FL studio. I will have a demo song up to discuss main ideas for song arrangment.

We will listen to a demo song in FL and analyze the fomat and the basic structures. We will also analyze instruments, tempo, and beat patterns. Before covering aspects of tracking, the class will open the mixer window in FL and I will discuss in detail, the main components of a mixer. I will be using the overhead projector and students will follow on their computers. I will then have students come up to the mixing console located in the front left of the class to discuss the “hardware.”

After students become familiar with the hardware components of the console, we will go into tracking and how the console can be used to track a song in the digital mixer in FL studio.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to list the main components of a mixer and recognize the number of bars in a verse, chorus, and bridge. They will also be able to track sounds and arrange the format (pattern) of a FL demo song.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

FREDDIE WILLIAMS LESSION PLAN: INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION - BANNER ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week one (Thursday 13th): • Music Prodcution Tools: EXTERNAL CONTROLLERS (Thurs 13th) 3hrs In the first part of the day’s lesson, we will be covering the hardware that is needed to create music in FL such as synthesizers, MIDI Controller Sequencers, Audio Recorders, Processors, and Mixers. This is when I will present to the class the production hardware. (Refer to program material list sheet). We will then focus in on the importance of signal flow and how it connects to the various components such as the computer, mixing console, equilizers, etc.

Below is the signal flow diagram that I will be using to show students the basic music production set up of the signal flow.

I will also discuss problem solving scenarios with the class. We will discuss possible techinal difficulties, and how the signal flow interacts with the interface of FL Studio 10.

After we cover problem solving, we will get into recording, editing, and mixing.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to recognize and list the basic hardware that is needed for music production. Students will also be able to draw, label, and know the pattern of signal flow.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week one (Friday 14th): The Mixing Process • Plug ins: Fruity 7 Band EQ | Fruity Chorus | Fruity Compressor| Fruity Reeverb | 3hrs Today we will cover mixing and how to ulitize plugin interfaces for mixing a song. The first few minutes will be an overview of the week. We will then do an interactive acitivity “aka” quiz.

Students will be selected at random to answer a topic that we covered in previous lessons.

After the interactive activity, I will pull up the demo that was covered in Lesson 2. As students follow along with me, I will cover the various plugins that were used in the demo song. We’ll also cover the anatomy of each plugin used on the digital mixing interface.

The remaining class will be experimental trial and error - “aka” exploring FL and making a beat using the components that we covered. We will discuss future projects and have a beat listening session to analyze rhythm and patterns.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify, select, and operate the plugins in the FL 10 demo. Students will also be able to create a beat and arrange the patterns in the playlist window by exploring FL 10 Studio plugins.

26B — Students who meet the standard can apply skills and knowledge necessary to create and perform in one or more of the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week Two: Digital vs. Analog Signal flow (Monday 17th) • What is digital audio signal?

Digital audio recording works by recording, or sampling, an electronic audio signal at regular intervals (of time).

• What is analog audio signal?

Continuously variable, as opposed to having a limited number of steps along its range (called digital) Using the over head projector, I will - present the digital/analog diagram and explain the diffence between the two.

- present hardware/software used in music production.

- play audio examples of each signal - present background info. about the history of analog before digital.

Weeks Two: Setting Up A Virtual Studio (Tuesday 18th) • Signal Flow between Devices In this class, students will learn the signal flow of a music prodcution studio. I also will include picture examples of recording studios and how they set up their signal flow. We’ll cover typical problem solving scenarios that occur in the studio.

Midi Signal flow & studio configuration In this diagram students will see the example of the common use of signal flow in production.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to recognize the difference between digital and analog signals and note the problems that can occur during the set up/recording process.

Students will also be able to draw and list a signal flow diagram.

25B — Students who meet the standard understand the similarities, distinctions, and connections in and among the arts.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week Two: Digital vs.Analog signal flow (Thursday 20th) After doing a quick overview of what we coved on Monday & Tuesday, I present two class exercises; one will be individual and one will be conducted as group.

Exercise 1: Students will draw a digital signal wave & analog signal. See worksheet on pg. 9 Exercise 2: In groups of 3-4, students will create a beat using a three track pattern & arrange the music in the playlist in this format:

4 Bar Intro | 8 Bar Veruse| 4Bar Chorus | 16 Bar Veruse| 8 bar chorus

I will allow the students to work on exercise two for 60mins. As a group, students will present the music layout to the class as a “listening session.”

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify and label digital and analog signals on a worksheet. Students will also be to create a beat and arrange patterns in the FL 10 playlist.

Weeks Two: Discussion & Production (Friday 21st) I will open the floor up for discussion to have the students communicate their desires and goals in the industry. We’ll also have an open discuss on what kind of music they like and why.

Then I will discuss my music production set up and share my industry experiences. During this discussion, I will go over the basic home studio set up and how they can be successful in having one, even on a small budget. We’ll cover equipment and music software prices. * in their notebooks students will list their ideal set up including some of the equipment they would like to have.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify affordable and necessary equipment for a home studio.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION In Class Exercise: Week Two: Digital Vs Analog Signal

Name:_________________________________ Date:____/_____/____ How are you feeling today?_____________________________.

EXERCISE 1: Draw a diagram of a digital Signal Wave:

Draw a diagram of a Analog Signal Wave:

Explain the difference of each signal wave and provide an example of how it is used.

Be perpared to present this to the class.

_________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Draw and list the basic music production signal flow using these external controllers; Computer | Montors Speakers | USB Midi Keyboard | Mixer Audio Interface | Microphone

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week Three: Introduction to electric music synthesizers (Monday 20th) After the overview from the previous lesson, students will watch a short YouTube documentary titled: The DocuTape! - Music Producer Documentary

This documentary will give the students insight on what programs and tools the industry’s hottest music producers use to create “dope” music. The documentary embraces the industry and will encourage students to learn more if they choose to take this as a career path.

After the video is down, I will open the floor for questions before moving ahead to the rest of the day’s lesson. *We will discuss what to look for when buying a synthesizer* • What’s a Synthesizer? An electronic musical instrument, typically operated by a keyboard, producing a wide variety of sounds by generating and combining signals of different frequencies.

On the overhead, I will show the class pictures of old and modern synthesizers, as well as digital interface synthesizers as used in FL Studio 10. I will then open FL 10 and have students follow along as we become familiar with FL Studio’s digital interface synthesizer. We will explore the elements of knobs and faders as well. Direct Wave interface.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to identify a synthezier in FL Studio and know how and where to purchase one if needed.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week Three: Equlization - Timbre | Loudness | Amplitube Envelope (Tuesday 25th) In this lesson, I will have students follow along with me on the overhead as I go though the various fuctions of the synthesizer and equllizers in FL Studio. The students will see how each fuction has an impact on the sound when adjusted.

Exercise 3: Students will create three channel patterns using a synthesizer. They will add timbre and loudness adjustment to each track. Each student will use the midi controller to record the pattners in FL studio.

In the next part of lesson we will get into digital sampler interfaces in FL Studio. We will record a sample or loop in the one of the interfaces and that sample will then be put into the music production project.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to operate the main fuctions of a synthesizer as well as incorporate samples/loops inside the music production.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

26B — Students who meet the standard can apply skills and knowledge necessary to create and perform in one or more of the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week Three: Recording Audio In FL Studio (Vocals, Samples) (Thursday 27th) I will present to the class some of the top industry standards in recording music. Examples; Pro Tools and Logic. I will then explain the recording process and the key roll of the producer in a recording session. As a class, we will then have a mini recording session. We will record vocals and add them into the music production in FL studio. This will be a class project where all students will be able to record audio into FL Studio 10.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to record and add vocals/audio to FL Studio 10.

Week Three: Drum Programming (Friday 28th) I will have students follow on the overhead as I show the class three easy steps to programming drums in FL Studio. In this lesson, students will be able to find and orgaizne sound in the step sequencer. We will be using the drum midi controller to record beat pattners in FL Studio. Then, I will have all students program drums as an exercise. Once the class is clear on drum programming, I will present to the class exteral drum machines that industry producers use to create beats, like the MPC.

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to find and organize sound in the step sequencer as well as programming drums.

25A — Students who meet the standard understand the sensory elements, organizational principles, and expressive qualities of the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school

This lesson plan covers the first 4 weeks of class sessions

INTRO TO MUSIC PRODUCTION Week four: Applied FL Studio 10 (Monday 1st) In this lesson, students will apply all the lectures covered to create a music production project.

In groups of 3-4, students will be assigned work stations to produce a song using the following format below; 4 bar Intro | 8 bar Hook | 16 Bar Veruse | 8 bar hook| 16 bar Veruse| 4 bar outro I will walk around to assist students and guide them when needed. The tracks that each group creates will be used for the rest of the week’s lessons.

Week four: Appied FL Studio 10 (Tuesday 4th) We will have an in class listening session from each group to hear what they produced. We will then record vocals into the production. One person in each group will be responsible for writing lyrics to the beat. Once students add vocals, we will then add adjustments to the over all mix of the production; adding plugins to increase the uniqueness of a sound. This will involve editng and recording in real time.

Week four: Appied FL Studio: Adding Adjustment & Song Arrangment 10 (Thursday 4st) Plugin usage and CPU power will be the key for this session. I will open the class for discussion about adding plugings and how it affects the CPU power. Once I cover CPU with the class, I will get into details on how to make adjustments if the CPU is low. We’ll also discuss CPU problem solving techniques.

Week four: Appied FL Studio: Lesson Session & Project ideas (Friday 5th) This class will be our music workshop where peers critique/give thoughts on each group’s project including tips on improving if needed. Once all groups present their song, we’ll briefly discuss possible steps producers take once their rough drafts are completed i.e., mixing & mastering, music marketing & distribution.

Learning Objectives: By the end of week four, students will be able to recognize and apply basic music production skills in FL Studio. They will be able to produce a beat and record audio such as vocals, samples, & instruments. Students will know plugin functionalities, external midi controls, and the difference between digital vs analog, including song arrangement. After this month, students will be able to apply everything they learned for future projects throughout the academic year.

25A — Students who meet the standard understand the sensory elements, organizational principles, and expressive qualities of the arts.

25B — Students who meet the standard understand the similarities, distinctions, and connections in and among the arts.

26A — Students who meet the standard understand processes, traditional tools, and modern technologies used in the arts.

26B — Students who meet the standard can apply skills and knowledge necessary to create and perform in one or more of the arts.

Freddie Williams Lesson plan: Intro to Music Production - Banner academy High school