Use this page to help with learning the main tools and skills you need for top quality music production.
While this provides lots of resources I think are useful, part of your projects are managing your own learning, so get searching for just what you need.
It's sorted by the main components of music production
These general courses provide hints and tips to do pretty much anything in SoundTrap. Work through them all or dip in and out as needed.
The process of music production divides into six basic stages:
Songwriting
Arranging
Tracking
Editing
Mixing
Mastering
This great article explores and unpacks these six stages.
https://www.waves.com/six-stages-of-music-production
The video below shows all these stages in action, using Ableton as its base.
Elements of music construct and govern the language of music, including notes, scales, chords, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form. It serves as a set of rules and guidelines that musicians use to create, analyze, and interpret music.
Here's a nice simple guide:
https://www.loopmasters.com/articles/3489-Songwriting-Production-8-Tips-for-Writing-Pop-Songs
And another...
If you want a great overall guide to music conventions, start here!
Songs make us feel through rhythm and melody, but they stay with us thanks to the familiar patterns that comprise song structure. Song structure refers to how a song is organized, using a combination of different sections.
Here's some great reads:
https://mastering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SONG-STRUCTURE-Cheat-Sheet.pdf
https://www.careersinmusic.com/song-structure/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/songwriting-101-learn-common-song-structures
https://chordchord.com/song-structure-template-generator-tool
A songwriting template typically includes sections for lyrics, melody, chord progression, and song structure. It may also include prompts or guidelines for brainstorming song ideas.
https://www.musicgateway.com/blog/songwriter/best-songwriting-template
Use this Songwriting Template to map out your track. Decide on your Genre and the Idea/Concept (e.g., "The Stress of Exams" or "Summer Arrival"). List the Elements of Music you will focus on: What is the Structure (Intro > Build > Drop)? What Timbre (sounds) will you use to match the vibe? And so on...
The term chord progression simply refers to the order in which chords are played in a song/piece of music.
Play a few different songs/pieces and you will see that there are various different ways in which composers order chords.
Read this simple guide to understand the common ways chords are used:
https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/understanding-music/chord-progressions/
The golden rule: Keep it simple!
Here's a useful video for how chord progressions can create different emotions: