EXHIBITION STATEMENT

CONCEPT

Over the past few years, a growing interest of mine has been creating music, so I thought why not share that interest with everyone else. The goal of this workshop was to give students a better understanding of the role that a music producer plays in the song creation process. I wanted to equip them with the necessary knowledge to produce a piece of music using a Digital Audio Workstation and how to take a single idea and transform it into a fully-fledged work of art.

HISTORY & DISTINCTION

Ever since the human voice was first recorded in 1877, there has been no technological advancement more impactful on music than the creation of the Digital Audio Workstation (D.A.W.). It has allowed musicians to write, record, and produce their own music at a professional level, transforming a laptop into a fully functioning studio (JMC). This is the sole reason why workshop participants are able to learn the basics of music production using nothing more than a laptop and a pair of headphones.

APPROACH

In order to equip students with the necessary skills to be able to produce a piece of music, I led weekly lectures and activities. Lessons normally started with lectures on basic music production concepts and then transitioned into weekly activities, the most important of which was active-listening. This activity involved students listening to a song and then breaking down its components. It was heavily influenced by my research into how active-listening can lead to a better understanding of music (Mamlok).

AUDIENCE & IMPACT

When creating this workshop, my vision was that anyone who wanted to learn the basics of music production could join and do so. Now after putting an entire semester behind us, I can confidently say that my students not only know how to produce a piece of music, but also have a better understanding of the role that a music producer plays in the song creation process. Furthermore, I’ve also learnt a fair amount through this experience. The improvement in my ability to communicate a complicated topic in simple terms is something that will help me for the rest of my life.

REFERENCES

“JMC Academy How Technology Has Changed Music Production.” JMC Academy How Technology Has Changed Music Production, 20 June 2016.

Mamlok, Dan. “Active Listening, Music Education, and Society.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education, 19 Dec. 2017.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my great appreciation to Harold and Heather for not only supporting me through this workshop experience but for also providing me with an Arts Scholars journey to remember. I would also like to thank Damien, my teaching assistant, for his amazing advice and assistance throughout the semester. My deepest gratitude is also extended to all my workshop participants, without whom none of this would be possible. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their constant support, feedback, and motivation through this journey. I am truly thankful for this amazing experience.