Music Production & Vocal Performance Certificate

Program Overview

Point Blank Music School's 6-month program combines vocal training, music production, and music business knowledge. With guidance from industry professionals and access to industry-standard equipment, students develop skills in singing, songwriting, music composition, and production, preparing them for careers as singer-songwriters, producers, or music industry professionals.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Duration: 6 Months
• Available Start Dates: 2024 & 2025 (July 8, September 30, January 13, March 17, April 14)
• Weekly Timetable: Three 4-hour classes per week for 20 weeks.
Daytime, evening & weekend slots open.
• Program Overview: Teaches the fundamentals of singing and production, including vocal musicianship, vocal technique, music composition, track building in Ableton Live or Logic Pro, and music industry studies.
• Key Program Features:
• Developed and taught by professionals who’ve worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Pharrell, Skrillex, and more.
• Offers exclusive masterclasses from industry professionals such as Mark de Clive-Lowe, Laura Escude (Jay Z, Kanye West), Daddy Kev (Low End Theory), and Jimmy Mac (Lorde).
• Provides students with the latest industry tech including Ableton Live, Push, Logic Pro, NI Komplete, Roland Cloud, and more.
• Students receive a copy of Ableton Live Suite ($749 value) or Apple Logic Pro X ($199 value).
• Offers free masterclasses, events, and networking opportunities.
• Spaces are limited to 16 students per class.
• Modules:
• Term 1:
• Course 1: Singing - Level 1:
• Develops vocal talents with professional warm-up routines and vocal techniques.
• Covers topics like warm-ups & practice routines, scales, arpeggios, vibrato, articulation, dynamics & pitching, breathing & diction, current timbre/styles, music theory, triads & harmony, harmonies & double tracking, intonation, tone & ad libs, voice projection techniques, confidence & stage presence, and live performance.
• Course 2: Music Composition:
• Focuses on the musical elements within a track, helping students mold loops into finished tunes.
• Covers topics like music & time, rhythm & beats, harmony 1, melodies & creating riffs, basslines, hooks, harmony 2, structure & arrangement, applying vocals, finishing tracks, creative tactics & workflow, and intro to copyright & publishing.
• Course 3: Music Production: Ableton Live or Music Production: Logic Pro:
• Provides a thorough grounding in essential music production skills in either Ableton Live or Logic Pro.
• Music Production: Ableton Live:
• Covers topics like introduction to Ableton Live, MIDI & making beats, melody & harmony, audio warping, recording & editing, audio effects & controllers, Push, introduction to the instruments, sampling, track arrangement & automation, mixing tools: EQ & compression, finalizing the mix, and Live's extended capabilities.
• Music Production: Logic Pro:
• Covers topics like Logic X Overview, drum programming, drummer & MIDI editing, drum machine designer & drum synth, music basics & MIDI effects, virtual instruments & other features in Logic X, audio processing & quick sampler, flex time & flex pitch, live loops & step sequencer, creating parts & structure, mixing & final mixdown, and Apple Certified Pro Exam.
• Term 2:
• Course 4: Vocal Musicianship:
• Builds upon singing skills, including chord extensions, voice leading, progressive sight-reading, chord progressions, musical analysis, and more.
• Covers topics like progressive ear training, sight-reading skill building, extended harmony, voice-leading, compound intervals, progressive dictation, transcribing chord progressions, further rhythm training, diatonic modes, exotic scales, blue notes, and focus on minor keys.
• Course 5: Audio Engineering:
• Provides a professional understanding of mixing desks, microphones, and recording techniques for drums, bass, guitar, and vocals.
• Covers topics like intro to audio engineering, mixing console (part 1 & 2), all about microphones, recording session: drums, fixing live recordings in DAW, recording techniques, in session: guitars/bass, recording vocals, finalizing projects for mixdown, in-the-box mixing, and completing projects.
• Course 6: Music Business:
• Targets those interested in making a living from music.
• Covers topics like music industry basics, record companies, A&R, copyright, publishers & collection societies, synchronization, digital distribution, artist management, the live industry, business models & opportunities, planning for business, and professional development.

Teaching:

• Faculty:
• Features instructors who’ve worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Pharrell, Skrillex, and more.
• Includes guest lectures from music business insiders.
• Unique Approaches:
• Offers exclusive masterclasses from industry professionals.
• Provides students with the latest industry tech.
• Offers free masterclasses, events, and networking opportunities.
• Includes professional session musicians for students to record with.
• Features fully-equipped live recording areas and a control room with a 32-channel SSL Origin mixing desk.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Singer/Songwriter
• Solo Artist/Live Performer
• Composer
• Music Producer
• Mixing Engineer
• Lead Vocalist
• Session/Backup Vocalist
• Vocal Arranger
• Voice Teacher
• Vocal Recording Artist
• Top 40 Singer
• Musical Theatre Singer
• Cruise/Wedding Singer
• Music Director
• Music Production Instructor

Other:

• Student Testimonials: Includes a testimonial from a student who studied singing at Point Blank, highlighting the program's effectiveness and practical application.
• Global Alumni: Features a section showcasing successful alumni, demonstrating the program's impact on their careers and achievements.
• Software & Discounts: Students receive Ableton Live 12 Suite or Apple Logic Pro X, along with exclusive discounts on NI Komplete 14, Pioneer DJ equipment, Eventide Plugins, Serato DJ, and Roland Cloud.
• Equipment: Students have access to fully-equipped workstations in class and during their practical studio work outside of class time.
• Student Housing: Students have various housing options near Point Blank Los Angeles.
• Facilities: Offers open studio time for students to practice and work on their music outside of class sessions.