Self-Study with Pro Pianists Online
Magical Piano Masterclasses
View our Magical Pop Piano Masterclass Excerpts
These masterclass courses are not simply videos. They are digital courses embedded with information, scores, exercises, teaching pedagogy and videos of celebrities or international level musicians explaining and demonstrating, objective tracking and certificates.
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Developing Melodies and Beginning Chords
Jazz Piano Improvisation
Learn Keys & Scales through Improv
Licks, Runs & Sparkles
Pop Pentatonic Scale
Put Drum Grooves Into Your Piano Chords
Detailed Chords and Bass Lines
All You Need to Be a Pop Pianist: Chord Detailing & Riffs
Gospel Piano Bass Lines
Gospel Endings
Advanced Pop, Funk & Gospel Piano
Detailed Chords and Bass Lines
Composition & The Spice Rack
Indian Improv
Creative DAW Music Production
Our Masterclass Collaborators have performed with….
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Richard Michael BEM:
Jazz Piano Masterclass,
Get Your Groove On!
Richard Michael BEM was awarded the Royal BEM for his exceptional work. He was also winner of the “Scottish Jazz Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2021”. He is an Honorary Professor of Jazz Piano at University of St Andrews and a BBC Radio Scotland Broadcaster. He was a major contributor to the development of the ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus. His publication “Jazz Piano for Kids” was Published by Hal Leonard.
Richard has an incredible ability to teach jazz piano in a way that makes everything seem easy!
Take 5 with 5
Laying the Foundations
1.Move to the Groove
2.The 3 Note Groove
3.If You Can’t Sing it, You Can’t Play It
4.Ghosting and Articulation
Structured Practice Methods
5.Method 1: What Goes Up Must Come Down (Inversion)
6.Method 2: Play it Again Sam (Repetition)!
7.Method 3: Shift the Lick (Transposition)
8.Method 4: Tales of the Unexpected (Displacement)
9.Method 5: Space (and Breathe!)
10. Bass Lines
2 Chords 'n Blues!
Leading on from “Take 5 with 5” take your next steps to musical freedom!
Establishing Chords
Grab your Claw: Triads
The Keys
The 12 bar Blues
Melodic Improv Method 1: Chord Notes
Chord Notes: Roots
Thirds
Fifths
Melodic Improv Method 2: Altered Pentatonic Scale
7. The Altered Pentatonic Scale
Melodic Improv Method 3: The Blues Scale
Blues Scale 1
Blues Scale 2 – Chord notes v Scale notes
Blues Scale 3 – RH Chords
I’m All About the Bass, ‘bout the Bass, No Treble
Chords into Bass Riffs: Basic Chords
Chords into Bass Riffs 2: Boogie & Blues 3rds
Chords into Bass Riffs 3: Walking Bass, 6ths & 7ths
Using the Walking Bass to make a Melody with 7ths
Additional Bass Riffs
Getting the Whole Picture
Telling a Story
Richard’s Pearls!
Final Words of Wisdom
Summary
3 Magic 7s
Developing 7ths
Grab your Claw: 7ths
Chord Improv 1: Parallel 7ths
Overview: The 4 Diatonic Sevens!
Parallels: Oh When the Saints
Parallels 2: Pedal Points.
Chord Improv 2: The Major 7th Chord
Major 7ths: Gymnopédie (Erik Satie)
Major 7ths: Imagine (John Lennon)
Chord Improv 3: The Dominant 7th Chord
Dominant 7ths: Twist and Shout (The Beatles)
Dominant 7ths: Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
Dominant 7ths: I Can’t Get No Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
Maj 7th V Dom 7th: Kiss Me (Sixpence None the Richer)
Chord Improv 4: The Minor 7th Chord, Inversions & Voicing
Minor 7ths: La fille aux cheveux de Lin, Preludes Bk 1:8 (Debussy)
Minor 7ths: Another Brick in the Wall 2 (Pink Floyd)
Minor 7ths, Inversions & Voicing: Long Train Runnin’ (The Doobie Brothers)
Maj 7ths V min 7ths: American Boy (Estelle)
Chord Improv 5: The ½ Diminished & Diminished 7th
½ Dim 7th: Summertime (Gershwin)
Dim 7th: Michelle (Beatles)
Shapes: Simple 7th Chord Progressions
Major Key ii7-V7-I7: Perdido
Minor Key ii7-V7-i7 & Circle of 5ths: Autumn Leaves
Summary
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Nicky Brown:
Putting the Groove into
Your Fingers,
Rhythmic Piano Masterclass
Putting the Groove into Your Fingers
This course is about using drum patterns to create really rhythmical, exciting piano styles. This is perfect for pop pianists, songwriters, composers and improvisers. It’s one of those courses that rapidly ups your game in magical ways. You will be amazed with how professional you sound and how polished your playing can sound.
Nicky references brilliant songs by many artists including Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Richard Tee (for Simon and Garfunkel), Scott Joplin, Carole King, Michael Jackson and Elton John.
Start with just one chord, sound amazing, move to the I-IV-V chords and then go full-on Gospel, Rock & Pop!
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- One Chord Only 4/4 Time LH with emphasis
- Add Your RH syncopation
- 1 and 3 versus 2 and 4
- Stride
- More Chords Building to a Climax
- The Fats Domino, Little Richard Texture & Bass Lines (put the hi-hat in the RH)
- Break Your Hands Up
- The Internal Meter
- Rhythm As Your Hook
- Same Chord Prog, Different Groove (I-IV-V chords only)
- Exclusive Nicky Brown Solos with Different Grooves (more developed)
- Rhythm Tracks
- Conclusion
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Robin Harrison
Pop Pentatonic Improv:
Licks, Runs & Sparkles
Dr Robin Harrison FRSA founded The Maestro Online. Through this he has had the opportunity to work with the world’s top musicians who have toured with Madonna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Stormzy and more. He once reached no. 1 in the UK charts and no. 33 globally for putting jazzy twists on pop songs.
Build your ear skills and explore improvising, “making the song your own” by add your own twists. The pentatonic scales are a great route into this. We will use snippets of Roar by Katy Perry (an entirely pentatonic song), examples in the real world by Beyoncé. You can then apply these to songs such as Hey Brother by Avicii (another pentatonic song, with long notes that allow you opportunities to explore and experiment).
The "Roar" to Success Pentatonic Pop Piano Course
A melodic decorations method.
This course uses snippets from “Roar” by Katy Perry to develop your pentatonic patterns and help you become a unique artist.
- Major Pentatonic
- Minor Pentatonic
- Above and Below Do Roar
- Sliding Pairs Echappées
- Sliding Pairs: Roaring like a Lion
- Neighbour Tones and Trill
- Single Falling Pair Appoggiatura
- Roar Appoggiatura
- Pair Neighbours, Descending Scale Push Ups
- Descending Scale Triple Push Ups
- Pair Neighbours, Descending Scale Roar Triple Push Ups
- Pair Neighbour, Ascending Scale -Falls
- Ascending Scale Triple Falls
- Roar Passing Notes
- Ascending Scale Roar Triple Falls
- Turns or Double Neighbour Tones, Summersaults
- Turns or Double Neighbour Tones, Roar Summersaults
- The Double Hit Throb
- Chord note to other chord note Adapted Pair Slide
- Chord note Altered to other chord note Swapsies
- Piano Vamp
- The Work Out
- Summary
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Mick Donnelly:
Melodic Improvisation and Scales Masterclasses
Learn melodic Improv on Piano from a Melodic Instrument. Saxophonist with Robbie Williams, Whitney Houston, Sting, Lisa Stansfield, Simply Red, Sammy Davis Jr, Barry White, Britney Spears, Sting, The Bee Gees, Ronan Keating, Kool and the Gang, Lisa Stansfield, Lulu, Shirley Bassey, Jr Walker, Princess, Tony Bennet, Desmond Decker, Gene Pitney, Steps, The Four Tops, Ben E King, Boy Meets Girl, Madness, Bob Mintzer, Spear of Destiny, Ian Dury, Imagination, Bobby Shew, The Temptations, Kiki Dee, Stuart Copeland, Robbie Willaims, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Swing Out Sister, Bruno Mars and many more.
Mick teaches you how to practice your scales and modes in a completely different way, and then create incredible solos from them.
Natural Minor Scale
The Minor Pentatonic Scale
Technique & Knowledge: The Scale Exercise
Improv 1: Rhythm & Cumulative Note Method
Improv 2: Developing Coordination – 1 Note Melody
Improv 3: Adding Scale Notes, Same Bass
Improv 4: 3 Notes, increasing rhythmic complexity
Improv 5: Varied Repetition – Phrase Endings
Improv 6: Varied Repetition – Rhythmic Displacement
Improv 7: Starting on Different Beats of the Bar
Improv 8: Structure & b5
Further improv and songwriting techniques.
Celebrity Masterclass by Mick Donnelly, who performed with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr.
1. Learn the Blues Scale & Practice Strategies
2. Develop Coordination with Different LH Bass Lines
3. Learn Different LH Riffs
4. Use Different Walking Basses
5. Develop Rhythmic Motifs Inspired by Mick’s
6. Use the RH Cumulative Note Method
7. Connect your Imagination (Inner Ear) Via Your Voice to Your Fingers
8. Develop Repetition using Mick D Motifs & Varying Phrase Endings
9. Explore Phrases Starting on Different Beats of the Bar
10. Explore The Pick Up
11. Learn Features of Making Longer Phrase Structures More Effective
12. Develop Tools for Improvisation and Songwriting
13. Exclusive notated Mick D solo
Major Scale and Modes
Mick starts with the Ionian Mode (Major Scale). Then we explore Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian in detail.
1. Exclusive Mick D Solo
2. Mick D Practice Method
3. Improvisation Practice Method: evolving licks, interval expansion, rhythmic variety, embellishments (turns and grace notes)
4. Scales v Modal Harmony
5. Crazy (Aerosmith)
6. Scarborough Fair (trad. & Simon & Garfunkel)
7. Thriller (Michael Jackson)
8. I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
9. Doo Wop That Thing (Lauryn Hill)
10. I Care (Beyonce)
11. A Place for My Head (Linkin Park)
12. Simpsons (Danny Elfman)
13. Man on the Moon (REM)
14. Human Nature (Michael Jackson)
15. Sweet Child of Mine (Guns ‘n Roses)
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Marcus Brown:
All You Need to be a Pop Pianist
Marcus is the most experienced touring keyboardist to the stars that you will find.
Marcus Brown is the man who initially made his career as Madonna’s keyboardist and has also recorded & performed with James Morrison, Seal, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, S Club 7, Donna Summer, Honeyz, Mel C, Celine Dion, Adam Lambert, Mica Paris, and plenty more.
Marcus takes you through his courses, “Everything you need to be a Pop Pianist”.
Pop Piano Masterclass: 12/8 Mumford & Sons
Marcus Brown, currently on tour with Chasing Mumford takes you from chords through to “Everything you need to be a pop pianist“. He uses Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford & Sons which has an iconic piano part. This piece is in 12/8, you’ll learn:
(1) 12/8 time,
(2) cross-rhythms,
(3) various pop piano textures,
(4) how to create a pop piano solo,
(5) Mumford & Sons chord progressions,
(6) how to play Hopeless Wanderer from a lead sheet
(7) and start your own improvisation or songwriting in 12/8.
James Morrison - Undiscovered
Marcus was the man who played keys and invented the short piano solo moment on the original James Morrison Undiscovered single. He tells you all about it and, through the course, you will also cover:
(1) Thinking of the sound/music first, then placing it “in the key”.
(2) Plagal, perfect, interrupted cadences
(3) 3 chord trick
(4) Gospel/soul elements
(5) Sus 4 chords
(6) Rhythmic pushes
(7) Pentatonic scales
(8) V11s (Dominant 11ths)
(9) Chord voicing: connecting piano parts to melody
(10) Enhancing your musicianship tasks
(11) Improvising, composing, songwriting inspired by features of this song.
(12) Published sheet music is inaccurate for this song – find some specific corrections in this course so that you play the song how Marcus would.
Slick Licks, Voicings and Grooves
Celebrity pianist to Madonna takes you through Pop piano licks, piano riffs, voicings and grooves and you apply them using John Legend, Dolly Parton, Ben E King, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna and James Morrison.
This wonderful piano riffs masterclass by Marcus includes
1. The Country Lick
2. Simplification of this Lick
3. 4ths & 2nds
4. Anchor Notes and Voicing
5. Clave Rhythm
6. Samba Rhythm
7. Rhythmic Restylisation
8. Musicianship Skills
9. Long Term Structure
10. Improvisation and Songwriting
11. Stand By Your Man (Dolly Parton)
12. Stand by Me (Ben E King)
13. Umbrella (Rihanna)
14. All of Me (John Legend)
15. Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Bazil Meade MBE:
Gospel Piano Masterclass
Bazil Meade MBE talks very openly about directing London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC). Bazil co-founded this internationally acclaimed choir and both he and the choir had humble, local community begins.
Born in the Montserrat, Bazil Meade is the charismatic and multi-talented vocalist, pianist and leader of Europe’s premier vocal ensemble, the London Community Gospel Choir. Moving to England at aged nine family circumstances caused him to leave home in his teens. His ambition was to bring the two fundamental aspects of his life together, his faith and music, to inspire and entertain audiences. Having built up a legion of dedicated fans the choir perform regularly to audiences all over the world.
Many of the greatest musical artists have called upon the services of Bazil and the choir including Madonna, Sting, Sir Paul McCartney, Brian May, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross and Kylie Minogue. Bazil can turn his hand to any type of genre and his and the choir’s versatility have made them the first point of call for soulful vocals for high profile concerts and recordings.
Awarded an MBE in 2018 for Services to Gospel Music. If you talk about British Gospel Music you are talking about Bazil!
His Gospel piano style is famous throughout the industry. Bazil doesn’t read music, he plays by ear and is self-taught. His style is second-to-none and respected by all.
Bazil's Gospel Bass Lines
This is a brilliant opportunity to hear great wisdom from Bazil, watch his fingers and keys and then develop your own bass lines to a much higher level.
How important are bass lines? Bazil describes the bass as giving a song its own personality.
(1) Add weight and depth
(2) Give personality to the song
(3) Give direction (you play it knowing where you are moving to)
(4) Lead to the melody note for the singer
Bazil uses a number of fantastic examples to give you a variety of his great bass line techniques. Your left had is going to groove. He references famous London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) songs and discusses influences from O Happy Day, Stevie Wonder, the Thompson Community Singers, Dietrich Haddon and Howard Francis.
This course will cover the following areas:
- Give Weight to the Bass
- Walk to the Dominant (ii-V)
- Circle of 5ths
- Descending Grooviness
- Rests
- Stabs
Bazil's Gospel Endings
This course is perfect for those trying to develop their own style or cover of a song. It is a fantastic course and one of the most comprehensive and substantial courses on the platform. It uses numerous transcriptions of Bazil’s solos to provide you with exclusive material that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
The suggested projects are: Joyful Joyful, Oh When the Saints, Amazing Grace and Down by The Riverside.
Also included: Exclusive Bazil Meade solos not available elsewhere
This course will cover the following areas:
- Finding your Inspiration Bazil’s, “O God Our Help”
- Gospel Piano Stylistic Overview, Texture, Colour, Blues & Passing Chords
- Unfinished/Open Endings Passing Chords (approaches to the dominant)
- Melodic Elaboration
- Chordal Elaboration
- Chromatic & Diminished 7ths
- Finished/Closed Endings & I IV ii IV I
- Blues Chromatic & Parallel 6ths
- Walking the Bass Up & Down
- Contrary Motion Endings
- Parallel Ascending Endings
- The Ultimate Embellished Plagal Cadence
- Chromatic Ending (Oh When the Saints)
- Major & minor Plagal Cadences
- The bIII IV I Cadence
- The bVI bVII I Cadence
- 3 Versions of ii7 I
- The Augmented chord and bII – Bazil’s I can See Clearly Cadence
- Exclusive Bazil Meade Solos I Can See Clearly Now
- Oh Happy Day Smooth Version
- Oh When the Saints
- Joyful Joyful
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Mark Walker:
Funk & Gospel
Piano Masterclasses
ii-V-Is, Bass Lines, Funk, Pop, Amazing Grace.
Possibly the finest gospel-pop talent we have in current times.
The Jacksons, West Life, Will Young, All Saints, Rob Lamberti, Beverley Knight, Simply Red, Young to 5ive, Anita Baker, Gabrielle, Corinne Bailey-Rae, Misia and more.
An Interview with Mark Walker
Mark is widely regarded as the finest gospel-pop pianist to the stars in the UK.
He is currently touring with The Jacksons, has recently been performing with Beverley Knight and has credits with literally everybody from Westlife to Simply Red, Will Young to 5ive, All Saints, Anita Baker and Gabrielle. He plays by ear and incredibly talented.
This is an in-depth interview with Mark discussing his musical journey alongside detailed musical aspects of his style that make him unique.
Gospel, Funk, Pop Pianist to the Stars Teaser
Want to learn how to play keys for Westlife, Simply Red, Will Young, 5ive, All Saints, Anita Baker, Gabrielle and others? So do I!
The most amazing, gentle, kind, humble musician ever, Mark Walker, has created a stunning interview alongside several great masterclasses. He is an incredible session musician who gives great insights into his skills and breaks down his patterns on the keys for all to see.
Walking, Funk & Gospel Piano Bass Lines
1. This course starts at a level that all can appreciate – which notes fit well under a C chord.
2. The Walker Walking Bass is studied next, mostly using notes of the chords and adding some embellishments as we steer to the next chord.
3. ‘Mark’ed Funk creates some dynamic rhythmical elements and some amazing playing. Don’t worry, some structured exercises will get you there.
4. Elevated Gospel includes a few more triplet patterns and some inspired patterns.
This course comes with fully notated transcriptions and slowed-down tracks for you to follow Mark’s exceptional playing.
Gospel Piano II-V-Is
1. Locking in with the groove.
2. The II-V-I.
3. Funky bass line.
4. Right hand Gospel octave and triad solos.
5. Licks you’ve always wanted.
Plenty of notation and exercises starting from simple skeleton scores right through to Mark’s epic solos.
Variations on Amazing Grace
This course helps you find your own unique style, exploring textures, melodic embellishments and elaborations of harmonic progressions.
The Bare Bones Method.
Salon Jazz.
Funky Bass.
Flamboyant Accompaniment.
Fully notated solos and structured improvisation tutorial exercises.
Pop Piano Licks, Circles by Billy Preston, Full Studio Backing Track Inc
This course is great for beginners and advanced alike. It includes pop licks and starts with the simplest of pop piano textures, but also features some amazing advanced improvisation licks on Will it Go Round in Circles by Billy Preston.
A FULL band backing track is provided, created by Mark for you in his studio, to allow you to develop your RH solos over the top, as if playing in a band.
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Dharambir Singh MBE:
Indian Music Masterclass
Dharambir Singh MBE is known worldwide for his educational successes. He is not only a highly respected Ustad (highly skilled expert) and Guru (teacher), but a significant name within cross-cultural musical performances and education in the UK. It’s this work that led to Dharambir’s “MBE” award for the British Queen. He is a stunning performer who also has the ability to explain what he is doing in the clearest of ways.
Dharambir’s favourite moment of his career was when he adjudicated a festival in Croydon. He felt that the talent was incredible and that these people were invisible and un-recognised. This led him to want to create a platform for them. The idea of beautiful instruments and coloured clothes on the stage became a reality. This dream became the South Asian Music Youth Orchestra (SAMYo). The first performance led to a standing ovation as he had never seen before.
The Alaap as Melodic Unfolding
This is a wonderful course for people who want to learn about Indian music AND for those who simply want to develop their Western improvisation. The way Dharambir teaches you to unfold your melodies works for all styles of music and is teaching is extremely clear. The cross-cultural benefits are simply brilliant.
This course will cover the following areas:
- What is a Rāga?
- Rāga Vibhās
- Stopping Notes, Differing from The Tonic
- Mohrā and Structural Markers
- Upper Register
- The Emotion Behind the Notes
- The Antarā (2nd Part of the Alaap)
- The Philsosophical Overview
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Will Todd:
Composition & Improvisation Masterclasses
His anthem, The Call of Wisdom, was performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a TV audience of 45 million people.
His breakthrough work, Mass in Blue (originally titled Jazz Mass), has been performed hundreds of times all over the world.
His arrangement of Amazing Grace was performed at President Obama’s Inauguration Day prayer service in 2013 and as part of the BBC’s Nelson Mandela Thanksgiving Service.
1. Will's Spice Rack
Just how do you create a unique harmonic language that ‘sounds like you’?
This structured course will start you on your own voyage of discovery.
Tofu in C – Add Notes to a Triad.
Overlappy: Superimpose Triads.
What Chord Comes Next?: Lead Sheets.
Will’s 3 Chord Categories.
Connecting Chords by Step.
Shifting Chords by 3rd.
Connecting Chords Revisited: Dominant 7ths.
Transposition of Chord Progressions.
Escape your Default.
Familiar Progressions are OK.
The Bigger Picture: Form & Harmonic Sentences.
Summary.
2. Playfulness
Learn how to compose melodies with one of the UKs leading international composers.
In this course, Will takes us through tasks and ideas that lead to melodic discovery, releasing the fun, excitement and spontaneity of our inner child. He helps us find things that make us react or surprise us. He generates excitement at sound and therefore truly stimulated our composition process. He helps us compare ideas that create reactions that we expect and ones that don’t in melody and harmony. He also supports us in discovering stylistic connections between rhythm, harmony, melody and composition.
By the end of this course you will also have a range of strategies for when you struggle to feel creative.
The Discovery Play Channel
1.Playfulness: Find the Child in You.
2.The Rules of Melodic Character.
The Surprise Channel
3.In the Playground: Melodic Surprise.
4.Upset the Apple Cart: Harmonic Surprise.
5.Pushing the Boat Out As Far As You Dare.
6.Dissonance & Shape over Resting Chords.
A Sense of Style
7.Playful Rhythm & Style.
Pearls of Wisdom
8.Help! My Mind is Blank!
9.No Comparisons Here: Box of Chocolates.
3. Will Todd's in the Mood, Are You?
Learn how to be expressive, reflecting moods and emotions through your music making.
In this course, Will takes us through a much deeper concept of music and emotions via his improvisation, leading to more formal compositions.
The most significant thing that he teaches is the fact that emotions change and transition from one moment to another is important in music. It’s really revealing how his music ‘moves’ and has direction because of his deeper understanding of people, their feelings, responses to situations, scenes and life in general.
Will’s high level of emotional intelligence informs his skill in improvisation and composition.
Introduction
1.The Composer: Moods & Emotions.
Static Trapped Emotions
2.Nervousness.
3.Painting a Scene: Mountain Panorama
Early Emergence
4.Boredom.
Emotion as a Changing Event
5.Royal Fanfare to Relief.
6.Spacecraft Launch.
Summary
7.The Will Todd Sign of Lick.
8.Summary.
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Sam Fever
Creative DAW Music Production
Sam is an experienced Music Production teacher. As well as teaching, he has worked as a Music Producer and composer in the world of Sonic Branding. Having worked with TikTok, 02, ESL, Arnold Clark, SRF Sport, Pilsner Urquell, Tombola, Bayer, Aramco and more, he has developed a real understanding of how to convey messages and emotions through music effectively.
This is a DAW (eg Logic Pro or Ableton Live) course for real musicians,
You will have written, recorded and edited an entire song by the end of the project.
You get all of these DAW courses in one purchase because this will allow you to complete writing and editing your whole song.
Sam started his music career as an Artist playing and performing in a variety of bands since he was sixteen. His most recent project, Khaki Fever, is a retro-pop/funk band which fuses electronic music production with organic instrumentation such as brass and strings. Sam performs with a nine-piece band on stage and plays guitar, and bass and sings.
Working as a freelance Music Engineer for over five years has given Sam the opportunity to work with clients in a wide variety of genres including pop and its subgenres, hip-hop, rock, funk, folk and a range of electronic-based music genres. Sam specialises in mixing and recording and has received great reviews from all his clients.
As well as teaching, Sam works as a Music Producer and Composer in the world of Sonic Branding. Having worked with TikTok, 02, ESL, Arnold Clark, SRF Sport, Pilsner Urquell, Tombola, Bayer, Aramco and more, Sam has developed a real understanding of how to convey messages and emotions through music effectively. This has also given Sam the opportunity to compose in a range of genres and effectively make use of genre fusion through production and compositional techniques.
Sam also works as a Music Producer for artist development studio SAFO. He regularly works with artists by not only developing their music and songwriting, but also teaching them the mindset and work ethic necessary to succeed in the music industry. Studio work really is Sam’s bread and butter, but understanding that working in the music industry is more about people than it is about music is at the core of his ethos.
The DAW tools
Obviously you will learn the mechanics and basics that you need to use a DAW such as:
- Transport
- Cycle
- Mixer window
- Piano roll
- Inspector
- Primary and secondary tools
- Pencil Tool
- Faders
- Timeline
Composition and Arranging in a DAW
- VST/Sample Instruments
- Piano Roll
- Velocity
- Dynamics in Virtual Instruments
- Humanising Midi instruments
- Arranging sections
- Apple loops
- FX & Tonality
- Importing Audio
- Bouncing out Tracks
Using a DAW for Practising and Improvisation
- Metronome for different time signatures
- Groove practice with kits
- Improvisation with loops
- Recording and hearing your performances
- Analysing vocals with flex
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Marcus Brown:
Logic Pro Masterclasses
Film composer and Keyboardist to Madonna and Many More.
Marcus Brown Teaser
Marcus Brown the man regularly on the Keys for Madonna, James Morrison, Seal and who has also recorded on tracks for people such as Tina Turner, Celine Dion, S Club 7, Donna Summer, Honeyz, Mel C and plenty more besides, takes you through creating his own “dreamscape!”
Marcus shows you how to create an awesome “Dreamscape” without using any samples from elsewhere.
This short clip will give you a flavour of his delivery style and the music in the background is the track that you will create with him through the course.
Sonic Avery 1
Dreamscape 1: Ever wondered how a celebrity keyboard player composes?
Into Music Technology and LOGIC? Oh yeah, this is definitely for you!
Creating a superior drone/pad with 1 oscillator on Logic Pro alongside an in-depth interview with Marcus about his career.
Sonic Avery 2
Level 2: A Logic Pro Dreamscape
Ever wondered how to take 4 notes and make them sound incredible? I mean, not just learn “how to” use LOGIC, but completely ‘boss it’ and use professional techniques to create something incredible?
Marcus is your man – he really has the trade tricks!
In this unit Marcus explores: sampling the drone, the space designer, tremolo, panning, chromaverb, bouncing and stems
Sonic Avery 3
Marcus now adds drums, bass, strings and midi synth to the work produced in Sonic Avery 2 to create the final movie score composition.
What pro-tips do we have here? Using bitcrusher, analog, portamento and guitar pedalboard settings to make the whole sound more ‘fluid’ and less static.
THE MAESTRO ONLINE
Daniel KR:
Performance Anxiety
Masterclasses
Daniel has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages and now realises that there’s so much more to being a great performer than just his voice. He is now a highly qualified, experience performance anxiety coach, ensuring that peoples bodies and minds, confidence in their lives and in themselves are all at an optimum.
His clients have included Classical Brit nominees, famous actors and stars of the West End and opera stages.
Things You Can Do Right Now
In this course Daniel gives you immediate, easy short-term strategies that you can apply straight away to reduce your levels of anxiety.
His calm manner, clear explanations at straight-forward tasks can be used by people of all ages and even in choir, band or orchestra rehearsals.
Let's Evolve (Long Term Strategies)
Here Daniel takes us to the next level. Just as an olympic athlete prepares his/her mind as part of their training for their big race, musicians can also train themselves as part of their daily practice.
Join Daniel on a journey in which you will embrace your inner self and become the best that you can be.
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Robert DC Emery:
Orchestration & Arranging
Masterclasses
Robert Emery is a stunning musician who developed an ear that’s second-to-none from an extremely early age. As a young person he became involved in church choirs and from there simply grew into one of the most successful pianists and conductors of our day in the UK.
Incredibly, he won the regional BBC Young Musician of the Year twice and reached the best 10 pianists within the competition.
Since the age of 13 he has toured internationally as a recitalist and conductor.
He has released 2 solo piano albums, performed for the royal family and given private recitals for members of parliament
As a conductor, he has conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Japan, Royal Liverpool, Basel, National, Birmingham and Evergreen Philharmonic orchestras as well as others.
In terms of renowned singers, he has been the conductor for the orchestra for Russell Watson since 2011 and orchestrated plus conductor for the Bat Out of Hell musical for Meatloaf.
Robert now very much gives back to the community and is wanting to help people on their own musical journeys via https://teds-list.com/ which is a free platform that has details about instruments, lessons, what to buy and much more. There is not intention to “sell” here, rather to educate and inspire. He also founded a musical education charity, the Emery Foundation.
Robert’s website, https://www.robertemery.com includes video footage, articles and much more that are of great interest.
Professional Orchestration & Arrangement
Robert takes Summertime and rearranges it with different harmonies and chords – making this a great course for improvisers who want to restyle a piece.
He then orchestrates it to make it a Bond style film theme. This aspect is also great for improvisers because there are quite a few “tricks of the trade” to embellish key melodic and bass elements.
As well as developing advanced arrangement and orchestration skills, there are also quite a few Robert DC Emery pearls of wisdom within this course!
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All Masterclasses
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All Masterclasses
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