REQ: R&B Production 4 week Course By Josh Wen
R&B Production 4 week deep dive into all things rhythm and blues
Join IO's resident R&B nerd, Josh Wen, for a four-week deep dive into all things rhythm and blues. From its historical and musical roots to its modern-day tropes, this course will explore musical and technical techniques to help you level up your productions and get them sounding like your favorite cuts.
Course Outcomes
• Explore Drum Language: Gain new rhythm language by exploring grooves and patterns from the genres that influenced R&B.
• Expand Your Harmonic Vocabulary: Break the rules in an informed way after you master new music theory concepts based on time-tested songs and progressions.
• Design Classic Patches: Learn how to synthesize classic sounds found in your favorite records.
Class Topics
R&B History: Learn the defining characteristics of the genres that influenced R&B.
Drum Composition: Dial in your drum patterns whether it’s a sampled loop, acoustic kits, or MIDI Drums. Explore patterns ranging from Blues Shuffles to New Jack Swing and beyond.
Music Theory: Learn the essential harmonic language needed to produce in this style. From Blues harmony and Secondary Dominants, to exploring Parallel Keys - you’ll be equipped to navigate the sounds of R&B.
Sound Design: Recreate classic synth patches in Ableton and using soft synths. Curate your collection of go-to sounds and understand the basics of refining them to match the situation.
Arrangement: Learn how to write Backing Vocals, Horn Arrangements, and String Lines in conjunction with your standard track elements. Enhance your productions with more sophisticated band arrangements.
Join IO's resident R&B nerd, Josh Wen, for a four-week deep dive into all things rhythm and blues. From its historical and musical roots to its modern-day tropes, this course will explore musical and technical techniques to help you level up your productions and get them sounding like your favorite cuts.
Course Outcomes
• Explore Drum Language: Gain new rhythm language by exploring grooves and patterns from the genres that influenced R&B.
• Expand Your Harmonic Vocabulary: Break the rules in an informed way after you master new music theory concepts based on time-tested songs and progressions.
• Design Classic Patches: Learn how to synthesize classic sounds found in your favorite records.
Class Topics
R&B History: Learn the defining characteristics of the genres that influenced R&B.
Drum Composition: Dial in your drum patterns whether it’s a sampled loop, acoustic kits, or MIDI Drums. Explore patterns ranging from Blues Shuffles to New Jack Swing and beyond.
Music Theory: Learn the essential harmonic language needed to produce in this style. From Blues harmony and Secondary Dominants, to exploring Parallel Keys - you’ll be equipped to navigate the sounds of R&B.
Sound Design: Recreate classic synth patches in Ableton and using soft synths. Curate your collection of go-to sounds and understand the basics of refining them to match the situation.
Arrangement: Learn how to write Backing Vocals, Horn Arrangements, and String Lines in conjunction with your standard track elements. Enhance your productions with more sophisticated band arrangements.