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Foundations of Music Production

Learn the ins and outs of all modern music, including music theory fundamentals, songwriting and arranging, and the basics of Beat Making and Sequencing.
FORMAT
ONLINE COURSE
SELF-GUIDED
included with membership
DURATION
12 weeks
2-3 hrs / week
START DATE
WED. 7.23.25
START TIME
7pm cst
LIVE INSTRUCTION
$150 / month
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LEARN FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC PRODUCTION

HOW & WHY GOOD MUSIC WORKS.

Great songs have great flow, rhythm, and arrangements. Learn everything you need to know about music theory: chords, melodies, rhythm and composition. Start writing your own amazing music, even if you have no music background at all! This is a great starting point for aspiring producers and pairs perfectly with Ableton Live 1.
Learn the fundamental building blocks of professional music:

  • Evoke powerful emotions with well written harmonies and melodies
  • Build a groovy rhythm section with drums, bass, and percussion
  • Create effective arrangements using the key building blocks of songwriting and composition
  • Understand your music production toolkit: instruments, mics, mixing consoles, and more!
FOUNDATIONS of MUSIC PRODUCTION - live instruction

Upcoming classes

meet your

instructor

michael pendergast

course author & instructor
Michael Pendergast aka MikeRat has been with Slam Academy since 2013, and is now the lead in-person instructor; teaching classes from our flagship Ableton program all the way to Sound Design and Mixing and Mastering. He's also a pillar of the local bass music scene, having played at The Armory, First Ave, and is a resident performer at Infrasound Music Festival. He's an expert in weird, glitched-out, wompy bass, and has been heard on labels like Wormhole and Street Ritual. Mike's approach to both music production and teaching is to lead with his heart, and he places an emphasis on community and camaraderie in the classroom and on the dancefloor. 

Course reviews

"LearnWorlds is the best learning platform I found so far. I was pleasantly surprised with the possibilities."
Walter White
Senior product manager
"LearnWorlds is the best learning platform I found so far. I was pleasantly surprised with the possibilities."
Walter White
Senior product manager

choose your path to mastery

Start with the Slam Academy membership to access the self guided version of this course.
If you would like to take the Live Instruction version of this course, become a member to enroll!

membership

  $100 per month

Perfect for self-paced learners who want to access expert resources, direct support, and community.

  • Full Video Course Library - Learn at your own pace with Self-Guided courses on Ableton Live, Sound Design, Mixing & Mastering, and more

  • Weekly Group Lessons - open format discussions and personalized feedback with our instructors online

  • 24/7 Community Access - Join our private Discord to collaborate, get feedback, and stay inspired

  • Exclusive Discounts - Save on software and hardware, including 40% or more off of the Ableton Live Suite

  • Studio Access (Minneapolis) - Work with pro-level gear in our fully equipped studios

live instruction

 + $150 per month per course
in addition to membership

Ideal for those who want structured learning with hands-on guidance from Ableton Certified Trainers.

  • 12 Week Live Courses - Attend 2-3 hour weekly sessions with expert instructors in small group settings, either online or in-person in Minneapolis
  • Hands-On Learning - Work on real projects with exercises, assignments & live feedback from expert instructors and industry professionals
  • Interactive Classroom Environment - Navigate the curriculum with guidance, ask questions, get real-time feedback, and grow alongside other students
  • Everything Included in Membership - Membership is required for enrollment access to Live Instruction courses
Memberships auto-renew monthly using the payment method on file until canceled by the customer.
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dive in deeper with

Live Instruction courseS

live instruction

 + $150 per month per course
in addition to membership

Ideal for those who want structured learning with hands-on guidance from Ableton Certified Trainers.

  • 12 Week Live Courses - Attend 2-3 hour weekly sessions with expert instructors in small group settings, either online or in-person in Minneapolis
  • Hands-On Learning - Work on real projects with exercises, assignments & live feedback from expert instructors and industry professionals
  • Interactive Classroom Environment - Navigate the curriculum with guidance, ask questions, get real-time feedback, and grow alongside other students
  • Everything Included in Membership - Membership is required for enrollment access to Live Instruction courses