Summary of Music Production 1 Units
SOUNDS
Sounds can be broken down into categories. We divide sounds into high, mid, and low groups.LAYERS
High, mid, and low sounds come together as layers to create larger pieces of music.SOUNDS ON A GRID
Digital audio workstations like Soundtrap allow producers to make music by putting sounds on a grid.FUNDAMENTALS OF RHYTHM
All music happens over time. In Unit 4, we look at how musical material is organized into different rhythms over time.FUNDAMENTALS OF HARMONY
Unit 5 looks at building scales, chords, and how low, mid, and high harmonic material fit together.SONG STRUCTURE
All songs have structure. Traditional pop songs often follow a Verse, Chorus, Bridge form, but songs can follow any form.RECORDING
Microphones allow you to take sound from the physical world and capture it as audio.MIXING
Volume controls and audio effects allow you to manipulate sound and make your layers fit together perfectly.FINAL PROJECT
Write a piece of music that demonstrates all that you’ve learned and makes a statement about your point of view as an artist.
Core Curriculum + Supplemental Materials
The Music Production 1 Core Curriculum includes Key Concept Videos, In the Studio Videos, and Basics of the Basics Videos, all supported by glossaries, assessments, and assignments. These materials are essential for all students to complete over the course of a school year.
We also provide a rich selection of supplemental materials that give teachers tools for differentiation, back up if Soundtrap goes down, and increased flexibility to accommodate their students’ unique needs.
The core curriculum and supplemental materials come together to create a course that lasts two semesters, but can bend in whatever direction a teacher needs. Please refer to the pacing guide for more details.
Core Curriculum:
Key Concept Videos:
Lawrence Grey and the YPG Curriculum Band break down music and production fundamentals like recording, layering sounds, harmony, etc.
Accompanied by a glossary and assessment.
In the Studio Videos:
Lawrence demonstrates how to apply the key concepts within a D.A.W.
Accompanied by a glossary and assessment.
Basics of the Basics Videos:
How to complete basic operational tasks like saving work, playing and rewinding songs, opening projects, etc.
Assignments:
Students put their knowledge into practice.
Projects are simple and open ended, but targeted in the skills they exercise.
Accompanied by a demonstration video where Lawrence provides a light-hearted model of what it could look like to complete the assignment.
Supplemental Materials:
YPG Music Appreciation Curriculum:
Students are encouraged to investigate their musical preferences.
Students develop their listening and writing skills as they analyze their favorite music and its place in culture.
Additional Activities, Games, and Projects:
Extra materials that push students to apply their skills in new, interesting ways.
Readings and informational materials:
We go deeper into music theory and recording practices.
Websites:
We point students towards amazing websites with creative tools and educational resources.
Advanced Curriculum
The advanced version of the Music Production 1 Curriculum is for students who have already completed the standard curriculum and are familiar with Soundtrap and the fundamentals of music production.
Students may take this version in a separate class or alongside first-time students, while being held to a higher standard of creative and technical work.
New requirements are integrated into each assignment with a focus on:
Deeper creative exploration
Stronger technical execution
Incorporating skills across multiple units
Advanced students are also expected to complete all of the activities in the supplementary materials.
This is a great solution for schools that don’t have access to Ableton Live, the software used in Music Production 2, but still want to challenge returning students.