Originally Posted by lamar4
Hey all,

I want to start a hobby (just mixing and creating/producing tracks, forgive me if the terms are wrong). I watched a few tutorials and I'm currently using Ableton (as it looked the easiest to me and my amateur friend also recommended it to me).

I'm just curious, I watched the tutorial on functions of the program and everything...but nobody actually teaches you how to START/CREATE a track. A quick background - I have no prior musical foundation (played mary had a little lamb with a wind instrument back in high school, but that is the extent of my education).

How do I actually start? Do I pick a chord? Do I need to know what each chord sounds like and does? Do I start with a high to low chord? Reverse? Everything is so overwhelming and honestly learning , I've just been playing around in Ableton and seeing if I can make anything that sounds like what I want (but with no luck)
Starting your journey into music production can be both exciting and challenging, especially if you're new to the world of music and digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton. Here are some steps to help you get started with creating your own tracks:

Learn the Basics: It's great that you've watched tutorials on Ableton. Continue learning about the software and its various functions. Understanding the tools at your disposal is crucial.

Explore Music Theory: While you don't need to be a music theory expert, having some basic knowledge can be extremely helpful. Start by understanding scales, chords, and keys. This will make it easier to create melodies and harmonies.

Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment. Start with something simple, like a chord progression. You can choose a key and experiment with different chords within that key. Ableton has virtual instruments that allow you to play around with sounds.

Use MIDI Instruments: If you're not familiar with playing traditional instruments, you can use MIDI instruments within Ableton. These instruments allow you to create music using your computer keyboard or a MIDI controller.

Listen Actively: Listen to music actively. Pay attention to the music you enjoy, and try to deconstruct it. What makes it sound the way it does? How do different elements work together?

Drum Patterns: Start with a basic drum pattern. The rhythm can serve as a foundation for your track. Experiment with different drum sounds and patterns.

Layering: Music production often involves layering different sounds. You can layer multiple instruments, synths, and samples to create a rich and complex track.

Arrangement: Once you have some musical elements you like, start arranging them into a structure. Most songs have an intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro. Arrange your elements into a similar structure.

Effects and Mixing: Experiment with effects and mixing to shape the sound. Ableton offers various audio effects and mixing tools to enhance your track.

Practice: Music production is a skill that takes time to develop. Be patient with yourself, and keep practicing. Your early tracks might not sound the way you want them to, but that's part of the learning process.

Seek Feedback: Don't be afraid to share your work with others and seek feedback. Join online music production communities or forums to connect with fellow producers who can offer advice and guidance.

Remember that there's no one "right" way to create music. It's about expressing yourself and having fun. Keep learning, experimenting, and, most importantly, enjoy the creative process. Your skills will improve over time, so keep at it, and you'll see progress in your music production journey.

Last edited by johifo; 10/31/23 06:08 AM.