Music Production 101 – Syllabus

Instructor: SDA  School of Music Instructors
Duration: 7 classes, 3 hours each
Course Description:
Music Production 101 introduces students to the fundamentals of creating, recording, and producing music. Students will learn the core concepts of music production, explore digital audio workstations (DAWs), and develop hands-on skills in rhythm, melody, sound design, arrangement, and mixing. By the end of the course, each student will have created an original track and gained a solid foundation in music production techniques.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:

1. Understand the music production process and industry roles.
   
   

2. Gain hands-on experience using DAWs and virtual instruments.
   
   

3. Learn to create beats, melodies, and arrangements.
   
   

4. Explore sound design and creative use of samples and effects.
   
   

5. Develop basic mixing and post-production skills.
   
   

6. Complete an original track suitable for a portfolio or personal project.
   
   

Class Schedule

Class

Topic

Learning Goals / Activities

1

Introduction to Music Production

What is music production? Who works in it? College programs and career paths. Introduction to DAWs. Hands-on: Explore DAW interface and play with loops.

2

Rhythm & Beat Making

Learn about rhythm, tempo, drum patterns. Hands-on: Create a drum loop and experiment with beat layering.

3

Melody & Harmony

Understand melodies, chords, scales. Hands-on: Compose a short melodic section and add instruments.

4

Sound Design & Sampling

Explore synthesizers, effects, and virtual instruments. Hands-on: Design unique sounds and apply effects creatively.

5

Arrangement & Song Structure

Learn song sections and arrangement techniques. Hands-on: Arrange beats and melodies into a cohesive track.

6

Mixing Basics

Introduction to EQ, compression, reverb, and panning. Hands-on: Mix student tracks for clarity and balance.

7

Final Project & Showcase

Complete an original track integrating all skills learned. Class showcase and peer feedback. Tips for continuing music production independently.

Materials / Requirements

• Laptop with DAW installed (recommended: Ableton, FL Studio, Logic, or GarageBand)
  
  

• Headphones
  
  

• Optional: MIDI keyboard or controller
  
  

Evaluation / Assessment

• Class Participation & Engagement: 30%
  
  

• Weekly Hands-On Assignments: 30%
  
  

• Final Project / Track: 40%
  
  

Instructor Notes

This course emphasizes hands-on learning, creativity, and experimentation. Students are encouraged to develop their own musical ideas while applying the production techniques introduced in class.