With social media platforms and powerful recording technology at your fingertips, it’s easier now than ever before to create music and share it with your fans. But where do you begin and how do you get started? This specialization will take you through the process of writing, recording, and producing your own music in order to gain the practical skills you need to record music within ProTools, which is the industry standard Digital Audio Workstation. You’ll also work to develop an artist identity, vision, and brand for your music and learn how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign to fund your music career.
The DIY Musician Specialization
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The DIY Musician Specialization
Write, Record, and Produce Your Own Music. Learn how to produce your own music and launch your music career.
Instructors: Stephen Webber
20,423 already enrolled
Included with 
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
(467 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
(467 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
1 month at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
What you'll learn
Tools and techniques to write more compelling songs.
Develop your identity and vision as an artist.
Use ProTools to record and produce your original music.
Strategies to plan, launch, and manage a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Overview
Skills you'll gain
- Active Listening
- Brand Awareness
- Professional Networking
- Branding
- Music Theory
- Campaign Management
- Social Media
- Constructive Feedback
- Business Planning
- Peer Review
- Instrumental Music
- Production Planning
- Brand Strategy
- Musical Composition
- Leadership
- Fundraising and Crowdsourcing
- Music Performance
- Marketing
- Music
- Team Leadership
What’s included
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Taught in English
25 practice exercises
Advance your subject-matter expertise
- Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
- Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
- Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
- Earn a career certificate from Berklee
Specialization - 3 course series
What you'll learn
Define and identify the point of view, form, and the "who, what, where, when, and how" in a song
Identify whether a lyric is stable or unstable through the use of line lengths, number of lines, stressed and unstressed syllables, and melody
Utilize the various rhyming techniques to evoke specific emotions in a song and define the difference between Assonance and Consonance rhyme
Use phrasing to clarify your ideas
Skills you'll gain
Category: Music Theory
Category: Music
Category: Musical Composition
Category: Performing Arts
Category: Peer Review
What you'll learn
Discuss why one musical recording is more compelling than another and identify the unique elements of the recording that contribute to it
Begin to assess and establish your identity, vision, and intention as an artist and producer
Write and develop a compelling piece of music by utilizing various tools
Establish the sonic signature of your production by utilizing specific production techniques
Skills you'll gain
Category: Musical Composition
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Peer Review
Category: Media Production
Category: Post-Production
Category: Self-Awareness
Category: Active Listening
Category: Music
What you'll learn
Identify the various components in the Pro Tools interface and organize session files
Discuss difference between a synthesizer and sampler and know how to use each of them
Record a live performance into Pro Tools
Balance your production mix by adjusting levels, using pan, and applying effects such as EQ, reverb, and compression
Skills you'll gain
Category: File Management
Category: Editing
Category: Music
Category: Musical Composition
Category: Music Theory
Category: Creativity
Category: Instrumental Music
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructors
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Frequently asked questions
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
More questions
Financial aid available,