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Rishabh Rajan

From the Moog analog synthesizers in the 1960s to the contemporary usage of computers, performance controllers, and mobile devices, Electronic Digital Instruments (EDIs) have long been capable of offering artists a new range of musical expression. In this one-of-a-kind course, you’ll learn the essential skills you need to perform on an EDI.

Your instructor is EDI musician and Berklee College of Music associate professor Rishabh Rajan.

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From the Moog analog synthesizers in the 1960s to the contemporary usage of computers, performance controllers, and mobile devices, Electronic Digital Instruments (EDIs) have long been capable of offering artists a new range of musical expression. In this one-of-a-kind course, you’ll learn the essential skills you need to perform on an EDI.

Your instructor is EDI musician and Berklee College of Music associate professor Rishabh Rajan.

He will take you through the basics of EDI performance and give you pointers on how to build an arrangement on your EDI. Whether you have just ordered your first pad-controller or have already been experimenting with electronic music, you’ll learn the basics of performing and arranging on the EDI. You will start by building drum beats and reading drum notation. Then you will create bass lines and harmonic accompaniment. Finally, you will learn how to live loop all of these elements and perform an arrangement for a live audience.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Electronic Music Performance Techniques
Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Well-suited for beginners learning to perform on an EDI
Uses Ableton Live, which may be unfamiliar to learners
Taught by Rishabh Rajan, an EDI musician and Berklee College of Music associate professor
Provides hands-on exercises in building drum beats, bass lines, and harmonic accompaniment
Develops skills in live looping, a valuable technique for live performance

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Reviews summary

Mastering live electronic music performance basics

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive foundation in electronic music performance techniques. Many students praise the instructor's clarity and engaging teaching style, making complex concepts accessible. The hands-on activities, particularly the Ableton Live demonstrations and live looping sections, are highlighted as highly effective. While some experienced users found parts too basic, it is widely considered excellent for beginners looking to gain confidence in live arrangements and performing. It primarily utilizes Ableton Live, which is a key tool for the course content.
Strong focus on practical application and live looping.
"The Ableton Live demonstrations were incredibly useful, especially the live looping section."
"The step-by-step approach to building an arrangement was brilliant. Rishabh's insights on performing for a live audience were invaluable."
"The hands-on practice really helped. I particularly enjoyed learning how to improvise melodies and the tips for creating dynamic arrangements."
Offers a solid foundation for new learners.
"Highly recommend for anyone starting out with a pad-controller."
"Perfect for getting started with live electronic music."
"I started with very little knowledge of EDIs and now feel like I have a solid foundation to build on."
Instructor provides clear, engaging explanations.
"Absolutely fantastic! Rishabh is a phenomenal teacher. He breaks down complex ideas into easy-to-understand segments."
"Rishabh Rajan is a master! His explanations are always clear, and the exercises are very practical."
"Incredible course! Rishabh's teaching style is so engaging. I started with very little knowledge..."
May be too fundamental for those with prior experience.
"Good for absolute beginners, but if you have some experience with DAWs or music theory, a lot of this might feel like review."
"Honestly, I found this course a bit too basic. While it covers the fundamentals, it doesn't go deep enough for someone already familiar with electronic music."
"The course could benefit from more advanced topics or challenges for intermediate users. Also, the lack of support for other DAWs was a drawback."
Requires Ableton Live for hands-on practice.
"Having Ableton Live is a must for this course."
"It does assume you have access to Ableton Live and ideally a controller, which is important to know upfront."
"This course requires Ableton Live, which wasn't clearly stated enough for me when I enrolled. I don't use Ableton..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Electronic Music Performance Techniques with these activities:
Form a Study Group with Classmates
Enhance your learning through collaborative discussions with peers. By forming a study group, you can exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and provide support to each other.
Show steps
  • Reach out to classmates and invite them to join a study group.
  • Establish regular meeting times and a communication channel.
  • Take turns leading discussions on different topics covered in the course.
Practice Basic Drum Patterns
Develop a solid foundation in drumming by practicing basic drum patterns. This will provide a strong foundation for building more complex rhythms and beats.
Show steps
  • Learn the basic 4/4 drum beat.
  • Practice playing the beat on a drum pad or drum machine.
  • Experiment with different variations of the beat.
Mentor a Beginner in Electronic Music
Strengthen your understanding of concepts by teaching and guiding a beginner in electronic music. This will help you identify areas where you can improve your own skills and reinforce your knowledge.
Show steps
  • Identify someone who is interested in learning electronic music.
  • Share your knowledge and skills by providing guidance and feedback.
  • Encourage the learner to explore different aspects of electronic music and develop their own style.
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Compose a Short Electronic Music Piece
Demonstrate your understanding of electronic music concepts by composing a short piece that incorporates the techniques and elements discussed in the course.
Browse courses on Music Production
Show steps
  • Choose a specific style or genre of electronic music to focus on.
  • Gather inspiration from other electronic music pieces.
  • Experiment with different software and hardware tools for music production.
  • Structure your piece with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Follow Tutorials on Advanced Electronic Music Techniques
Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring advanced techniques in electronic music production through guided tutorials.
Show steps
  • Identify specific areas you want to improve in.
  • Search for online tutorials or courses that cover these techniques.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step and practice the techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Electronic Music Performance Techniques will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Electronic Music Producer
Electronic Music Producers create and produce electronic music. This course may be useful to the Electronic Music Producer who wishes to become an EDI musician, as it teaches performance skills as well as the basics of creating an arrangement. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Sound Designer
Sound Designers create and manipulate sound effects, music, and other audio elements for various media, including films, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Sound Designer who wishes to expand their knowledge of electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Music Composer
Music Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Music Composer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their compositions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Audio Engineer
Audio Engineers record, mix, and master audio for a variety of purposes, including music, film, and television. This course may be useful to the Audio Engineer who wishes to expand their knowledge of electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Musician
Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments, including electronic instruments. This course may be useful to the Musician who wishes to learn how to perform on an EDI. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Performer
Performers entertain audiences with their artistic talents, such as music, dance, or acting. This course may be useful to the Performer who wishes to expand their performance skills to include electronic music. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Artist
Artists create works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, or music. This course may be useful to the Artist who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their work. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Educator
Educators teach students a variety of subjects, including music. This course may be useful to the Educator who wishes to teach electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Researcher
Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields, including music. This course may be useful to the Researcher who wishes to study electronic music performance techniques. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Music Director
Music Directors oversee the musical aspects of a production, such as a film, television show, or video game. This course may be useful to the Music Director who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their productions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Music Producer
Music Producers oversee the production of music, from recording to mixing and mastering. This course may be useful to the Producer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their productions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Composer
Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, and video games. This course may be useful to the Composer who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their compositions. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Soloist
Soloists perform music by themselves, without the accompaniment of other musicians. This course may be useful to the Soloist who wishes to expand their performance skills to include electronic music. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.
Band Member
Band Members perform music together as a group. This course may be useful to the Band Member who wishes to incorporate electronic music into their performances. The course provides a foundation in the basics of EDI performance, from building drum beats to creating bass lines and harmonic accompaniment.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Electronic Music Performance Techniques.
Comprehensive handbook of electronic music. It covers everything from the history of electronic music to the present day. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about electronic music.
Companion to electronic music. It covers a wide range of topics related to electronic music, including history, theory, and practice. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about electronic music.
Comprehensive encyclopedia of popular music. It covers a wide range of topics related to popular music, including electronic music. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about popular music.
Comprehensive dictionary of American music. It covers a wide range of topics related to American music, including electronic music. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about American music.
History of electronic music, from its early roots in the 1950s to its current status as one of the most popular genres of music in the world.
Comprehensive history of electronic music, from its early roots in the 1950s to its current status as one of the most popular genres of music in the world.
Comprehensive guide to the history of musical instruments, from the early roots of musical instruments to the latest developments in musical instrument technology.
Is the official manual for Ableton Live. It covers everything from the basics of Ableton Live to advanced topics such as Max for Live and sound design. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Ableton Live.
Comprehensive guide to classical music. It covers a wide range of topics related to classical music, including electronic music. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about classical music.
Is the official manual for Logic Pro. It covers everything from the basics of Logic Pro to advanced topics such as the Logic Pro Environment and MIDI scripting. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Logic Pro.
Is the official manual for Pro Tools. It covers everything from the basics of Pro Tools to advanced topics such as the Pro Tools HDX system and surround sound mixing. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Pro Tools.

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