Part 1: Creativity and Artistic Identity

We start by analysing some previous demos sent to the label, looking at what is missing and where they may be lacking with creative ideas. We will also discuss the importance of Artistic Identity, and how having a consistent sound and style enhances your chances of breaking through. Lastly, we study four sub genres within House music, and explain the differences in sound choice and how this can determine the overall style, positioning and success of the record.

Part 2: Break Out Groups

Later in the week, students will be split into four groups to discuss their sub-genre choices and talk through questionnaire answers, looking into why each student is choosing that sub-genre whilst thinking about their Artistic Identity.

Here we look deeper into the art of writing a good bassline, and how choosing the right sound and style can influence the success of the groove. We showcase how to write two different basslines using different techniques across two of the sub-genres. During this session we will also look at the art of synthesis where we will create our own bass sound from scratch using Sylenth, we will also be adding some minimal processing to the bass. For this session we will be focusing on Tech House & House.

Here we continue to look deeper into the art of writing a good bassline and how choosing the right sound and style can influence the success of the groove. For this session we will be focusing on Deep Tech & Techno. As an assignment, students will be asked to write four different basslines using the four different class techniques. Students have 7 days to complete this project.

Students will hand in their assignment of writing an original bassline.

Tutors will record detailed A&R video feedback, and send back for Thursday.

During this session we look at various case studies and identify where the vocal hooks originate from, how they were sampled and the creative process behind this. We will then add vocal samples to our tracks and create an original hook to suit our sub-genre whilst highlighting where to find them. In this lesson we will be working with spoken word samples demonstrating techniques on how to make these fit into your groove with processing techniques in Ableton, focusing on Tech House and Deep Tech Sub-Genres.

During this session we look again at various case studies and identify where the vocal hooks originate from. We will then add vocal samples to our tracks and create an original hook to suit our sub-genre. We will be working with old school house acapellas demonstrating techniques on how to manipulate them to create something unique alongside making them fit into your groove through processing techniques. During this session we will also be working with royalty free sample packs to find something that suits the style and vibe of the chosen sub-genre. This lesson with be focusing on House & Techno Sub-Genres.

During this session we will record our own vocals to use on our tracks, demonstrating techniques to help write simple yet creative lyrics. This session will also cover some theory and advice on common subjects, helping you to explore your creative side. We will then look at creating Vocal FX, hits, pads & short vocal stabs from a variety of the samples we have used from the past three sessions. As an assignment, students must create two vocal hook ideas whilst thinking about their artistic identity and suiting their chosen sub-genre.

Students will hand in their assignment of adding vocal hooks to their tracks.

Tutors will record detailed A&R video feedback, and send back for Thursday.

The session will begin with some music theory on scales to demonstrate the importance of understanding harmony. We will then extend our groove to a simple ‘pre arrangement’. Working on this layout we demonstrate how to write an original Riff and stabs using a combination of Sylenth and audio samples across two of the sub-genres; Tech House & House, focusing on using classic stabs to enhance our Tech House groove and adding a repeated catchy Riff on our House groove.

Working on our pre arrangement layout we demonstrate how to write a creative Melody using Sylenth to suit our Techno Groove whilst focusing on how to construct Chords and Pads on our Deep Tech sub-genre. During this session we will look at the art of synthesis where we will create our own lead and pad sounds from scratch. As an assignment, students must write two different Melodic ideas over their tracks.

Students will hand in their assignment of adding melodics / music to their tracks.

Tutors will record detailed A&R video feedback, and send back for Thursday.

During this lesson we look at different arrangement structures, demonstrating how this can vary across the four Sub-genres to suit the varied styles, whilst focusing on how the key components work across your track; how they are introduced, how they work together with other parts, and how they are manipulated to create energy and tell a story. As an assignment, students must each start a new track in their chosen sub-genre thinking carefully about sound choice, students will work on these tracks to the end of the course for final A&R feedback from the Tutors and Toolroom Music Team.

Students to continue to work on their new tracks.

This lesson will be a live Q&A session where all the students can ask questions about what they have learnt so far and any challenges they may be facing whilst working on their new tracks.

Students to continue working on their new tracks, and to send in their new tracks for final A&R Feedback.

Tutors to record feedback and send back for Thursday.

During this session students will submit their finished tracks for a final A&R review live in the class, we will also be joined by a member of the music team from Toolroom to give their thoughts on your work and you will be able to ask any questions that may have arisen that haven’t already been answered.