Developing an Ableton Curriculum

[digitallush]

Hello Everyone,

I hope anyone who found the title interesting enough to read this will have some good insight. I'm a self taught Ableton user (less than 2 years under my belt, but I learn quickly and practice a lot). I've never had the luxury of attending a university or tradeschool class on Ableton - I think the tool is absolutely fabulous, and wish more people adopted its use. I'm a strong advocate for free education, and really appreciate all the help people have given me through out the past years.

Something I've been very curious about, in my attempts to (asap) start doing video tutorials of Ableton, was where to start? And instead of just doing random tutorials on different subjects related to audio production and performance with Ableton, I'm struck with really evaluating... how could I really offer something of value to the community? And to do that, I'm seeking fellow Ableton user's help. Specifically, ones who have paid particular attention to how they have learned Ableton.

There is no doubt that, like any other instrument; piano, photoshop or Ableton, practice is KEY to growing - however - there are fundamental concepts that I think people may be tackling differently, and may be able to provide some insight to. Below I've supplied a bit of an outline of my learning process - but I am VERY curious as to if anyone else has had similar experiences / have some good insight.

Recording audio for live production is by no means not important, just something I did not invest as much time into, so have not included it - if you approached Live via this route, and have insight, it would be appreciated!

1. Introduction to Interface
2. Introduction to General Preferences
3. Introduction to Ableton as a DAW / vs. Performance tool / Hybrid (overview)

4. Clips - what are they - how do they work?
5. Loops/Clips - how they work, how they are edited (NOT how they are created yet - working with pre-existing loops)
6. Building a live 'set' - basic song structure

Controllers:
Working with Midi
Midi Mapping

7. Effects - how they work 'philosophically' - how they layer, how they connect (practice with simple delay & reverb)
8. Instruments - how they work 'philosophically' - how they layer, how they connect
9. Racks - what they are - basic understanding - picking apart an existing instrument/effect rack

10. The art of recording a loop

11. Building an instrument rack by combining presets
12. Virtual Instruments

13. Compresion & Limiting


This doesn't even scratch the surface of what's out there, but I am very curious in developing a better guideline for so many of my friends that have no idea where to begin, as well as any group of future individuals who don't have the opportunity to take a class, and don't have as much time to dedicate to learning such a robust tool.

Once again, any comments and insight would be greatly appreciated.

[digitallush]

To note: In developing a 'Curriculum' - I don't intend to create anything official - more of a guideline, however, something that was rooted in an educational background would probably be most hopeful - especially if it had suggestions as to what to practice, no different than practicing scales on the piano...

[ReggieMano]

HI,
Have you or were you able to ever develop anything to be used as a curriculum in ableton? I teach ableton 8 to high school studetns and could really use a bit more structure and focus.

[login]

Use the manual structure, or check some onoine courses to get an idea, groove3 or macpro video.

[TomViolenz]

Maybe you are a great teacher and that is what you can contribute to make your tutorials special. But nothing you listet so far in the OP, has not been done a thousand times by people all over the net. Some free, some paid, some bad, some great.
So really ask yourself, what did you miss in the tutorials you watched on e.g. side chaining, that you can still add to.
Because just adding another side chaining tutorial would be totaly pointless IMO.

[aberkow]

I'm a self taught Live user as well. My background is in music education and performance though and I think this looks like a good idea. As a teacher I would say that you should start with the goal and work backwards. If I were doing what you propose I'd show demonstrate a full song first. From there, I'd go back to the beginning (with the interface etc.). That way you can frame the entire program and show more easily how each piece relates to every other.

I also think it's completely irrelevant how many other videos, tutorials, or books like this there are for two reasons. First, going through the process of making them can only help you refine your technique and ability to use Live more fluidly. Preparing and creating the videos will clarify your thinking at whatever level you're at, and advance your skill. Second, as a teacher you never can tell what method, words, or thought will most clearly explain or demonstrate a particularly technique to a potential student. For instance no matter how many videos on compression I watch, it still doesn't quite make sense to me in practice. I know what it is, but not always how to take best advantage of it. Perhaps your videos will eventually help me!

Good luck!

[login]

I would strat from more general concepts as DAW, audio interface, studio monitors, MIDI, audio effects. And then intrpduce thoe concepts in ableton.

[TomViolenz]

For instance no matter how many videos on compression I watch, it still doesn't quite make sense to me in practice.

Exactly! So why watch more videos?!
Practice teaches and videos won't save one from practicing. One video explaining the concept should be enough and the rest is repetition and listening.

[TomViolenz]

My opinion is actually that videos are not a very good way to learn music making.
You will learn how other people do stuff, sure. That may be ok for some basic technical skills. But don't learn sound design or song structure from other people. Teach yourself! That's the ONLY way to make sure you are original.

Art is not science! So you are not standing on the shoulders of giants. Art is and should always be personal!

[3dot...]

^^^ so how do you explain Genres in music?

[TomViolenz]

^^^ so how do you explain Genres in music?

Too many people didn't follow my advice?!

On a more serious note: We are all listeners before we are producers and what we like or don't like obviously influences what kind of music we decide to make.

I think this could be an interesting discussion for the Lounge.

[3dot...]

meaning that WE DO stand on shoulders of others... (giants or otherwise)
also... technology and art were always intertwined.. meaning that some of these shoulders are common...

[TomViolenz]

meaning that WE DO stand on shoulders of others... (giants or otherwise)
also... technology and art were always intertwined.. meaning that some of these shoulders are common...

Well, as long as you choose too yes. But while the system of science makes it obligatory to stand on the shoulders of the ones before, in order to see further, it's a choice in art. And there is no "further" to see either, either direction is just as valid!