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Hi, my name is J,
and I teach people how to make music.
Four years ago, I developed a University course focused on finishing an EP in a semester. It was great, and the process allowed my students to make some of their best music.
Our Goal: A Track A Month
I will be guiding you through this process, step by step.
After you're done, I'll personally master your track for release.
A former University student of mine:
Every Week, for 4 weeks:
Live Lectures
2-hour group lectures with me.
Open Studio Time
4 hours of live "drop-in" time to ask me questions and get support on your musical ideas.
Track Feedback Sessions.
2-hour group meetings with me + your entire cohort. A judgment-free zone for improvement.
In addition:
Free Mastering
+ help getting on streaming services. ($75 value)
A guest lecturer from the music industry.
Dedicated TA
A Teaching Assistant (TA) running a cohort-only Discord channel to help between sessions.
A 12-month subscription to Punkademic
Unlimited classes on my online course platform for a year. ($100 value.)
Music Theory for Electronic Musicians e-book
Up to 32 hours of personalized instruction.
True Accountability and Feedback.
Every day, I hear from students who have a pile of music started, but are struggling to finish even a single piece. They tell me they run out of ideas... they can’t figure out what comes next, so they move to something new. I totally get it.
But I can promise you the problem isn’t running out of ideas. The problem is that we haven’t properly trained our muse.
It's a term I borrowed from Philip Glass. In order to finish a piece of music, you need motivation, discipline, and accountability. (And yes... you need ideas, but I promise you already have more than enough of those.) We just need your muse to stick around and help you use them.
But I can promise you the problem isn’t running out of ideas. The problem is that we haven’t properly trained our muse.
WTF does that mean? Training the muse?
It's a term I borrowed from Philip Glass. In order to finish a piece of music, you need motivation, discipline, and accountability. (And yes... you need ideas, but I promise you already have more than enough of those.) We just need your muse to stick around and help you use them.
J ANTHONY ALLEN
Frequently asked questions
Am I guaranteed to hit the Beatport/Billboard Top 10 after completing this?
No, sorry. But I can guarantee that IF you do the work, I will help you create a singular, complete piece of music that represents your unique tastes.
When are classes?
This is a special program built around the schedules of our students.
Each month, I craft a schedule based on those who express their interest. So please start by filling out the survey, and I'll present a potential schedule to you. You're NOT obligated to purchase anything before the schedule is presented.
Each month, I craft a schedule based on those who express their interest. So please start by filling out the survey, and I'll present a potential schedule to you. You're NOT obligated to purchase anything before the schedule is presented.
What do I need (in terms of talent & gear) to participate?
Here's a more helpful answer. Here's what you do NOT NEED:
It's the same idea with gear. You do NOT NEED the latest, greatest software and a ton of outboard gear. You need access to any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). That's it. Yes, even Garageband.
Other software on the "yes" list:
- You do not need to be able to read music.
- You do not need to have bangin’ tracks already released.
- You do not need to be able to play the piano.
- You do not need to know music theory (although it wouldn’t hurt).
It's the same idea with gear. You do NOT NEED the latest, greatest software and a ton of outboard gear. You need access to any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). That's it. Yes, even Garageband.
Other software on the "yes" list:
- Ableton Live
- FL Studio (Fruity Loops)
- ACID Pro 11
- Acoustica Mixcraft
- AVID Pro Tools
- Bitwig Studio
- Cakewalk
- Reaper
- Logic Pro
- MOTU Digital Performer
- Magix Sequoia
- n-Track Studio
- PreSonus Studio One
- Reason
- Samplitude
- Steinberg Cubase
Is there homework?
The ONLY homework is working on your track.
What will the lectures be like?
A group Zoom call: 90 minutes of me talking with 30 minutes of Q&A at the end. (Feel free to interrupt while I'm lecturing, though.)
I've been a university professor for years, and I like to think I know how to read a room. As we progress, I'll be adjusting the lectures to ensure you're getting what you need.
Some sample topics:
I've been a university professor for years, and I like to think I know how to read a room. As we progress, I'll be adjusting the lectures to ensure you're getting what you need.
Some sample topics:
- Getting Started: Finding the inspiration and motivation to get the creative wheels turning.
- Getting Unstuck: Overcoming Writer's Block and Other Music Making Tools.
- Rethinking Harmony: Finding new ways to look at notes and chords on the MIDI Grid.
- The Finish Line: Turning your Unfinished Tracks into Your Best Single.
What will the open studio time look like?
Once a week, there will be a dedicated four-hour chunk where I promise to be at my studio desk, ready to answer questions immediately via Zoom & Discord.
This is a great time to work, because I'll be around to help. (You can always ask me questions outside that time, though.)
This is a great time to work, because I'll be around to help. (You can always ask me questions outside that time, though.)
What will track feedback sessions look like?
We will listen to your track in a small group as a cohort. Everyone will be asked to contribute to the discussion, but I’ll lead it.
I usually start with talking about our initial reactions to the track, and we will try to figure out where those are coming from, and if they are the reactions you wanted.
Then we will look deeper at the track, and how it was put together. As a group we will look for things that could be done differently for different effects.
The goal is not for me or the group to “change” your track, but for you to leave the feedback session with a lot of ideas to consider and experiment with (either for the current track, or your next track).
I usually start with talking about our initial reactions to the track, and we will try to figure out where those are coming from, and if they are the reactions you wanted.
Then we will look deeper at the track, and how it was put together. As a group we will look for things that could be done differently for different effects.
The goal is not for me or the group to “change” your track, but for you to leave the feedback session with a lot of ideas to consider and experiment with (either for the current track, or your next track).
Do I need to be into Electronic Music?
No! Your feedback would be invaluable to the rest of your cohort!
"Track" is a more popular term right now instead of "song," but if you want to make a song without synthesizers or drum machines, that would be awesome.
"Track" is a more popular term right now instead of "song," but if you want to make a song without synthesizers or drum machines, that would be awesome.