Language of Music
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Make sense of music to empower your creative potential.
Language of Music courses aim to build strong foundations in music theory, musical thinking, and music production with an emphasis on music improvisation.
Courses at Maestre fill up fast, but we do have some courses that are currently accepting students.
Start Here
Music Theory & Improvisation
This class is currently full. Join the waitlist.
The number one challenge we hear from prospective students is: “I don’t know where to start!” Maestre Arts gets you. Our solution: a structured Start Here course that will help align your musical goals with your musical ability.
UNLOCKING THE KEYBOARD
Learning how to navigate the keyboard is vital to unlocking musical ideas and understanding how music is made. In this 12-week course, students build familiarity with the keyboard, playing chords, and even playing while singing (great singing voice not required). It’s a great mix of music theory, music technique, and musical thinking that yields efficient results - all you have to do is put in the work!
LEARNING THROUGH ACTIVE LISTENING & ANALYSIS
We’ll learn in a hands-on environment by dissecting several songs with a strong understanding of “why” each song sounds the way it does. You’ll start building your music vocabulary with chords, chord progressions, song structure, melody, and rhythm.
Maestre has carefully curated songs with specific sounds and musical ideas for you to learn. Some of the songs we’ll study, analyze, and learn: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, Creep by Radiohead, Crazy by Gnarles Barkley, and many more pop hits.
APPLYING THROUGH IMPROVISATION
With each musical concept taught, you’ll work through the application in a live improvisational context. You’ll get the opportunity to apply concepts to drums, bass, and guitar while learning the art of musicianship (playing with other musicians). No instrumental experience is necessary - you’ll learn and play at your ability level. We’ll build in small, incremental steps to create cohesive sounds beyond your expectation.
CLASS DETAILS
Each class is limited to 4 students for optimal collaboration and one-on-one mentoring
Number of weeks: 12
Frequency: Once a week for two hours: 1 hour of instruction, 1 hour of in-studio practice.
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate or Advanced with little music theory knowledge
$900 for 12 weeks of instruction and studio time. (24 hours total)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Applicants will require an on-site interview and assessment of skills before being accepted into the course. The cost for this assessment is $50 and will take approximately 30 minutes. Keyboard and computer not required, but recommended.
Music Production
This class is currently full. Join the waitlist.
No matter the genre, all recorded music requires music production. We’ll get you up to speed on using virtual instruments, basic instrumental and vocal recording, and explore musical concepts such as arrangement, instrumentation, and using effects to further your musical storytelling.
DEMYSTIFYING THE DAW
At Maestre, our preferred digital audio workstation (DAW) is Apple’s Logic Pro, and in this course, you’ll build awareness and speed on how to get your musical ideas recorded, structured, and refined with Logic Pro’s intuitive workflow. Even if you don’t consider yourself “techie”, you’ll find this course just the right balance of learning and leveraging computing skills while developing musical creative expression.
MAKING ORIGINAL MUSIC
Maestre believes in you finding your own sound and what better way to explore that than working to create two original songs in Logic Pro. Each song will have specific challenges and requirements that you’ll be able to creatively solve with the tools inside Logic Pro and your newfound music production ability.
Each song will introduce new musical and technical concepts that will begin to open up an infinite canvas of sonic possibility. Students will blend virtual instruments, samples, and live recording to express their musical artistry. Basic mixing and mastering skills are also covered to finish tracks and get them ready for online streaming.
CLASS DETAILS
Prerequisite: Start Here Music Theory & Improvisation or be assessed to have the required skills to participate
Each class is limited to 4 students for optimal collaboration and one-on-one mentoring
Number of weeks: 12
Frequency: Once a week for two hours: 1 hour of instruction, 1 hour of in-studio practice.
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate or Advanced with little music production knowledge
$900 for 12 weeks of instruction and studio time. (24 hours total)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Applicants will require an on-site interview and assessment of skills before being accepted into the course if they have not taken the Start Here Music Theory & Improvisation course. The cost for this assessment is $50 and will take approximately 30 minutes.
An Apple computer and midi controller are highly recommended. PC users can leverage other music production software such as Ableton, Studio One, or Cubase. The workflows between these programs and Logic are similar, but students are responsible for learning the ins-and-out of their own software.
