The UAL Music Performance and Production course covers a vast amount of areas within the wider music industry and we therefore advise all potential students to use our resources prior to attending the course.
We have resources covering everything from music performance techniques advice, songwriting tutorials, composition and music theory tutorials, production and studio technology information, DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) tutorials and more. These resources will help you to boost your knowledge of music composition, production, and promotion prior to studying the course and will fill any gaps you might have already identified.
MUSIC RESOURCES
COMPOSITION AND MUSIC THEORY
An extensive playlist of music theory and composition videos. The levels covered range from beginner through to advanced theory. To see the individual videos you can click the playlist button on the top right corner.
Here is a tutorial playlist for Sibelius Ultimate. Levels cover basic to advanced functionality.
DOWNLOAD SIBELIUS ULTIMATE ONE MONTH TRIAL HERE:
https://my.avid.com/get/sibelius-ultimate-trial
Here is a website where you can practice your theory skills. Create your own tests at your own levels and set a time limit on the tests. You can test your knowledge of key signatures, note identification, chord identification etc. You can also follow the lessons on the website.
Music Theory Website
Music Production and Technology
The video below covers many of the areas of music production taught on the course. Familiarise yourself with the terminology used and maybe practice some of the ideas presented. It is recommended that you have access to a laptop and either download trials of software or purchase the student versions.
Below are tutorial videos for most commonly used DAW's. If you are unsure what a DAW is, check out the video directly below prior to watching the other videos. We use Cubase Pro and Pro Tools on the course but you can also use your own choice of DAW if you already own one (FL Studio, Logic etc.).
What is a DAW? - Digital Audio Workstation
Full Cubase Tutorial Videos
Full Pro Tools Tutorial Videos
Full Cakewalk Tutorial Videos (100% FREE DAW)
This is a completely FREE DAW for you to download and install. Cakewalk originally cost over £400 but the company decided to release it for free recently. If you're unable to purchase Cubase or Pro Tools - get this! Find out how to install this software here:
https://help.cakewalk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002690674-How-To-Download-Install-Cakewalk-by-BandLab
Full FL Studio Tutorial Videos
Full Logic Pro Tutorial Videos
MUSIC BUSINESS
During your time on the course you will cover many business aspects of the music industry including contracts, job roles, working patterns, licensing, royalties and copyright, and much more. Here are some videos that will give you an overview of the business aspect of the industry.
ARTIST MANAGEMENT
BOOKING
RECORD LABELS
PUBLICITY
LAW AND PUBLISHING
COPYRIGHT, ROYALTIES AND LICENSING
MUSIC PERFORMANCE ONLINE LESSONS
Here is a list of online music performance tutorials for the most common instruments in a popular music based band. If your instrument is not present, go to YouTube and search for "Instrument of Choice Tutorials or Lessons". Also, this is not an extensive list. There are hundreds of YouTube tutorials for all instruments.
VOCAL LESSONS
https://www.youtube.com/user/kentamplin/playlists
GUITAR LESSONS
https://www.youtube.com/user/JustinSandercoe/playlists
BASS GUITAR LESSONS
https://www.youtube.com/user/devinebass/playlists
DRUM LESSONS
https://www.youtube.com/user/DrumBeatsOnline/playlists
PIANO LESSONS
https://www.youtube.com/user/Paganful/playlists
That's it for now!
I hope you have enough resources to keep you busy during lockdown! Remember to practice the practical work on your instrument but support this with the theoretical background of everything you are doing. Understand the chords you're playing - how are they constructed? What's notes are in the chords? What scales can be played over the chord? What key signatures do the chords belong to? etc.
Finally, if you want to start making music now and have a laptop or PC, take a look at all of the free software you can download and install to work within your DAW. Remember, if you don't have a DAW you can use Cakewalk (Link Above).
FREE PLUGINS/INSTRUMENTS FOR YOUR PROJECTS
Downloads available in the video descriptions. Simply open the video in Youtube.
Free orchestral instruments
Free drum instruments
Free synths and pianos etc.
LABS - Various Sounds
LABS Instructions
More free VSTs
Free Guitar Amp Simulators
Free Effects Plugins
Extensive List Here (200 free plugins/instruments)
https://blog.landr.com/best-free-vst-plugins/
Audio Sample libraries
https://www.loopcloud.com/cloud/
Loopcloud is an application that works with your DAW and allows you to import samples (loops/one shots) directly into your project. They have a load of free sample packs that you can download but you will need to create an account and login. You can also use their virtual instruments to create your own loops. Check it out below:
