Music Production - Creating Music Using Ableton Live

From 120.15 C$ /h

In these private lessons I will cover a broad range of topics that you'd like to learn about using Ableton Live! With over a decade in teaching experience across a broad range of topics, I'm prepared to customize lessons to make sure you get the most out of your time. To do this, we'll spend about 5-10 minutes just going through your own music background and experience (don't worry, this won't count towards lesson time) so I can get a sense of how best to progress your skills.

Topics may include: beat-making, melody/harmony writing, arrangement, workflow tips, sound design, mixing and mastering, recording, live performance, sampling, and pretty much anything else you can think of to get your sounds off the ground. Any genre is okay!

Extra information

Have Zoom installed for the lesson (I'll share my screen), and if you'd like to share your screen, make sure to have Ableton Live installed as well during the lesson.

Location

Online from United States

About Me

I've been using Ableton Live since 2008. In that time I've gotten to create and play my music for a bunch of legendary venues, such as First Avenue, The Black Box, The Armory, and have become a resident performer at Infrasound Music Festival. Along the way I discovered my real passion is teaching, and helping my students achieve the music of their dreams has become my own dream come true. I'm now the in-person Ableton and Sound Design instructor for an Ableton certified training center, and I never get tired of spending time in class!

Education

Associate's Degree in Audio Production & Engineering, Institute of Production and Recording
Bachelor's Degree in English, Minor in Philosophy - University of Iowa

Experience / Qualifications

Lifelong musician (drums and piano), 18 years of DAW experience, 10 years of instruction experience at Ableton certified training center.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Computer generated music

Ableton live

Audio production

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

João

4.9

(31)

I have a master degree in music composition at the Royal Conservatoire Den Haag. I have been working in music composition for 10 year. This is a class where you are going to learn how to work with your own composition ideas as well get acquaintance to new composition tools and approach.
This is open for different types of music approach:
- contemporary classical music
- electronic music production/Ableton (any style you want)
- Music for Cinema (theory and how to do mockups with samples)
-Generative Music (Using max/msp and reaktor)

Dario

4.9

(31)

Professional electronic musician
2 master's degrees in Jazz and Live-Electronics at Conservatorium v Amsterdam

Producing your own music is easier and easier, let's work songs from your own productions and go through wonders of Ableton live for production and live usage.

We will discuss EQ, Compressions, Effects, synthesis and mixing.
Music theory on guitar and piano are also a topic of discussion.

Students of any level are welcome
LGBTQ + friendly

Kim

4.9

(31)

You often spend time behind your computer, sound modules, synths or MIDI devices to create solid beats, a hypnotic groove, dreamy soundscapes or a compelling story. In short, you've been bitten by electronic music. You want to take your sound to a higher level, but you still have questions about the quality of your sound, live performance, synthesizers, music theory, increasing listenership, acoustics, about your software, etc... You've come to the right place address if you have such questions. I would like to help you so that you can achieve your musical goals faster and in an efficient and budget-friendly manner.

What do I offer?
- Lessons on the following Digital Audio Workstations (DAW): Reason Studios, Ableton Live, Reaper, Fruity Loops
- Lessons about sound synthesis (Sound Design) via synthesizers, drum machines and effects
- General guidance/coaching in overcoming the obstacles associated with producing (e.g. knowledge about mixing, mastering, modular setup, music theory, computer/laptop needs, acoustics and psychoacoustics, mental challenges, ...)

Do you have a question or would you like more information?
Feel free to contact me :).

Slava

4.9

(31)

In this class I can teach you
Music theory (harmony, melody, rhythms structure, analysis)
Work with Ableton Live
Mixing and mastering your tracks
Composition in different styles
Creating electronic dance music in different styles (techno, deep house, trance, psytrance etc)

I have released my music at labels such as:

Alien Records
Brutish Heavy Music
Ibogatech
Madabeats Records
Nova Collective
Opus2Records
Psyfeature
SolarTech Records
Synk87
X7M Blaze

App

4.9

(31)

< Learning Piano is not merely about playing the piano >

Before starting to learn the piano, it’s essential to recognize that :

'' What we are actually learning is "Music", but not only "Piano". ''

The goal of learning any instrument is to acquire the language of music, enabling us to express ourselves and enjoy music with others. Playing the piano is for creating beautiful sounds, not really for developing finger speed or strength. That’s the function of gym.

< Music is like cooking >

When we cook, to make roast beef tender, of course, it’s nice to have a tender heart, but without knowing how to control the temperature, the roast beef won’t become tender merely by our tender heart.

By only adding salt, the dish won’t be sweet. Similarly, simply playing or writing a C major triad chord won’t convey a sorrowful feeling.

To create the feeling we want, no matter how much sentiment we have in our hearts, to convey it via music, it needs to be translated into the language which the piano can understand, which means, how we press and lift the keys and pedals. Similarly, when we compose, it needs to be transferred into chords, and notes we write.

< Difference between an audience and a musician >

There is a common belief that a musician can make music with sentiment or feeling. While it’s partially true, the most essential thing is knowing ‘’How’’ to create the sound that conveys the feeling we want, rather than merely knowing ‘’What’' feeling we want to convey.

The understanding of the mechanism behind music is essential, as cooking, and that is the difference between an audience and a musician. As an audience, one can simply feel the music. Like a chief who knows how to create a specific flavor to convey, a musician knows how to create the sound which can convey the feeling we want. While knowing which feeling we want is great, it’s merely the first step. Your emotions are not too different from Chopin, Beethoven, Adele or Taylor Swift, otherwise, they can’t resonate with you. But they know how to create the sound that conveys the feeling they want to their audience.

< Course Content >

I consider my course to be a form of "Music Consultation" because it contains a wide range of subjects that are essential to a professional musician. While we focus on piano playing, there are also music theory, music history, instrument construction, ergonomics for performers, analysis of composer styles, composition, arrangement, recording, MIDI, computer music, the physics of sound, and more.
In avoid of confusion, let’s still call my course as "Piano Course”.

< Duration >

For each course, I will reserve at least 70 minutes in my schedule for you, including 60 minutes of class time and an additional 10 minutes for discussion and any questions you may have. This will ensure that your courses are not rushed by the next student. This ensures that there is enough time for you to solve your piano and music problems.

< Recording >

I highly encourage my students to record their progress. This can provide an objective standard for comparison and help you analyze your playing precisely. In my nine years of experience teaching music, I've found many students, including those advanced, already play certain sections very well, while other sections may not be not well enough. But they still try to improving those fine sections, while not aware of those weak sections.
Without an objective reference, it’s hard to distribute our effort precisely. This can lead to not only unstable performance, but also practicing without a precise goal can easily reduce enthusiasm. Recording your results and comparing them with those recordings you like on YouTube or Spotify can be an effective way to analyze your playing and set precise goals.

If you have a digital piano, I can help you produce a video of your performance for each session. This can be a tangible record of your efforts and you can share it with your friends and family via YouTube or other platforms.

Chris

4.9

(31)

I specialise in writing and composing music for all levels. The student will need to have a music programme such as Logic or Ableton in order to be able to take this class.

The topics we will cover are:
Structure and arrangment.
Rhythm.
Harmony.
Advanced Harmony.
Bass Lines.
Lyrics.
Instrumentation.
Arrangement.

Lucy

4.9

(31)

[EN below]

Do you have a passion for music and dream of learning to sing, play the piano, write your own songs, or even discover the magic of music production in Logic Pro X? Search no further!

Together we can search for the perfect lesson content that is specifically tailored to you, so that I can always offer what you want. Multiple interests? – then we can even combine different disciplines for an even richer learning path. The lesson material is infused with my personal experiences as a professional musician in the pop industry, knowledge from previous classical piano and theory lessons, singing lessons and the insights I gained during my completed studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Pop).

Expect a professional approach during class, combined with a fun and unique teaching experience designed especially for you.

-

Are you passionate about music and do you dream of learning to sing, play the piano, write your own songs, or dive into the enchanting world of music production using Logic Pro X? Look no further!

Together, let's embark on a journey to tailor the perfect lesson content to your desires, ensuring that I can always provide exactly what you're looking for. Multiple interests? – then we can even combine various disciplines for a more enriching learning experience. The teaching material is infused with my personal experiences as a professional musician in the pop industry, insights from earlier classical piano and theory classes, singing lessons and the knowledge acquired from my studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (Pop).

Expect a professional approach during the lesson, paired with a warm and distinctive learning experience crafted just for you.

Alfred

4.9

(31)

Do you want to start playing bass, or are you already an experienced musician looking to deepen your connection with the instrument?

It doesn't matter if your goal is to develop new skills or enhance the ones you already have. These lessons will be tailored to both your level and personal musical taste.

My goal is to make you a better bass player, and to achieve that, we can cover a variety of topics depending on your needs, such as:

Stylistic variety: Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock, Latin...
Technical skills
Audio production
Rhythm perception, polyrhythms, odd meters...
Music theory: Jazz harmony, sight-reading...
Ear training

Jim

4.9

(31)

Hi, my name is Jim. I'm an electronic music producer with a Master’s degree in Music from the Fontys Academy of Arts (Rockacademie) in Tilburg, Netherlands. Music has always been my way of exploring the world — through raw field recordings, synthesis, and emotional storytelling. Over the past 12 years, I’ve developed a complete, self-sufficient creative process: from concept to composition, sound design to vocal production, mixing, mastering, and live performance. I’m passionate about helping others gain those same end-to-end technical skills — so they can bring their own musical vision fully to life.

As Malvae, I’ve written, sung, recorded, produced, mixed, mastered, and performed all of my work. My music reached #17 in the Spotify Viral 50 charts in the USA, gathered millions of streams, and featured in international film productions including King of the Streets and Netflix’s Terrace House Japan. One of the most formative moments in my career was my Amazonas album project, where I traveled into the Amazon rainforest to record and manipulate natural sounds. 90% of that album was created entirely from these field recordings, reshaped through granular synthesis and advanced sound design into a cohesive sonic journey. That experience deeply shaped how I approach my music and how I teach sound design and composition.

I’ve headlined shows at iconic venues like Melkweg Amsterdam with immersive, self-built audiovisual live sets using Ableton Live, modular gear, sequencers, and Resolume for live integrated visuals. I curated my own events and performed at venues like A’dam Tower, OT301. I also teach at studios such as Wisseloord in Hilversum, guiding students through the technical and creative intersections of sound and performance.

Selected Works & Collaborations:

My EP Like Bees to a Hive began as a soundscape for fashion brand Lobomar’s collection Final Orders, Please, presented at the Amsterdam World Museum. I collaborated with South African poet Julia-Beth Harris, integrating her spoken word into a seamless, atmospheric release. From sequential Prophet 6 textures to ADX1 drum machine layers and detailed field recordings, I handled every layer, from concept through multitrack production to the final live performance in London.

My Chrysalis EP, released as a limited-edition heavyweight red vinyl, pushed that even further, combining ethereal vocals, analog grit, and unique textures to craft an emotionally rich release. I personally led every part of the project’s technical and creative execution, from arrangement and vocal production to final mixing, mastering and vinyl press preparation.

In addition to my own projects, I’ve worked as a vocal producer and mixing engineer, including on Esther Veen’s EP Before I Go, where I handled recording, complex vocal layering, creative processing, production, multivocal arrangement and final mixing to deliver a polished, high-impact sound.

About the lessons:

My sessions are fully customised to your experience level, goals and grounded in real-world music production. Whether you’re just getting started or want to deepen your technical ability, you’ll learn how to develop professional workflows and the creative independence to finish what you start.

We can explore:

- Building advanced music production workflows and creative strategies
- Recording, Composition, arrangement, and storytelling through sound
- Full-stack mixing and mastering — from bedroom setups to pro-level delivery
- Synthesis and sampling — from sound shaping basics to high-level manipulation
- Multi vocal production, vocal recording, editing, layering, FX, and creative processing techniques
- Translating your music into a compelling live set with Ableton Live
- Applying music theory practically in electronic, cinematic, and contemporary music

Lessons are available online or in-person at my studio in Amsterdam. For online students, I use high-quality real-time tools that allow us to collaborate with full-resolution audio directly from your DAW — no screen sharing limitations, just real work in real time.

My own musical path often started by blending the sounds I encountered in the world, whether from distant rainforests or my own voice , into something personal and expressive.
I found my sound that way, and I’d love to help you find yours.

(And don’t worry — we won’t have to go to the ends of the earth to do it. I’ll show you how to turn the sounds you already have into something truly your own.)

Whether you're just starting out or ready to go deeper, I look forward to helping you grow through structured, creative, and technically grounded electronic music education.

Jasper

4.9

(31)

Do you want to learn to write, record or produce your own music? Or are you interested in sound design? Then I can help you further!
Music production and recording technology may seem complicated at first glance, but in our 1-on-1 private lessons we can discuss the creative and technical tools you need to unleash your own creativity.

Whether it's songwriting, recording techniques or beat making, we can do it all together. All genres are welcome.
During the lessons we can learn to work with different programs, such as Logic, Pro Tools or Ableton.
The lessons are for students of all ages and levels. Knowledge of solfège is not required.

I studied guitar and music production at the Conservatory in Ghent and have been active as a professional musician for several years. I have 12 years of experience as a private teacher.

Lessons take place in Gentbrugge near the Keizerpark.
We can determine the exact time of the lesson together. All very flexible.

Does this seem like something for you?
Don't hesitate to send me a message.

Hope to see you soon!
Jasper

Deniz

4.9

(31)

In this class, we use Ableton Live as a creative tool to explore music production, composition, and sound design. Whether you're a beginner or already producing, the lessons are tailored to your goals. whether that’s making beats, writing songs, or designing experimental soundscapes. You'll learn how to turn your musical ideas into finished tracks, while gaining practical knowledge of arrangement, audio effects, MIDI, sampling, and more. Theory is introduced in a simple, intuitive way to support your creativity, and improvisation is encouraged to help you find your own sound. My goal is to give you the tools—and the confidence—to create music that feels truly yours.

4.9

(31)

Discover a simple, modern, and motivating approach to the piano, accessible to everyone—whether you're a complete beginner or simply want to get back into playing.
With Piano for All, you will progress quickly thanks to a clear, lively method adapted to your level.
In just a few weeks, you will be able to play your first pieces and gain confidence in your playing.

Here, there's no pressure: just the pleasure of moving forward step by step, at your own pace, in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

Because it's never too early — or too late — to make your fingers sing on the keyboard. 🎶

Matias

4.9

(31)

This class introduces the core concepts of film scoring and how music shapes story, emotion, and narrative in film and television. Students will learn how to support and move images through music, exploring timing, mood, theme, and structure. Lessons are tailored to each student’s interests and level, from complete beginners to advanced composers, and can focus on electronic, orchestral, or hybrid approaches.

The course also includes analysis and deconstruction of existing film scores to understand compositional techniques and storytelling strategies. Students will learn how to set up and optimize their digital audio workstation for film scoring, define personal creative goals, and work with industry-standard orchestral sample libraries and synthesizers such as Spitfire Audio, Orchestral Tools, and Cinematic Studio Series. Films with sound design and no music can be provided for hands-on scoring exercises, enabling practical experience working directly to picture.

Do you want to produce your tracks without getting lost in the technical details? I'll teach you Cubase and DAW software the way I learned it myself: without music theory, but with method and creativity.

The goal is not to apply formulas, but to develop a working method adapted to each project. This may involve analyzing a piece in progress, resolving technical or creative blocks, optimizing sound, or even organizing a Cubase session.

I offer concrete tools, attentive listening, and precise support to move your musical project forward in the right direction.

About the course:

Composition & Arrangement
Musical structure & storytelling: learning to build solid and coherent pieces (intro, bridges, choruses, etc.).

Creating guitar riffs and harmonies: rhythmic, melodic and stylistic work according to your level.

Text writing & vocal placement: rhythm, phrasing, accuracy of intentions.

Organization in the DAW (Cubase): clear structure, tempo, grids, dynamics.

Art direction & atmospheres: defining a unique and coherent sound universe, from the riff to the background texture.

Pre-production & Sound Design
Effective session preparation: choice of tools, sounds, project organization.

Custom guitar/bass sound creation: virtual amps, IRs, custom effects chains.

Modern recording techniques: layering, harmonies, double-tracking, multiple takes.

Sound sculpture & textures: asserting the personality of each instrument.

Integration of atmospheres and textures: cinematic, orchestral or electronic textures.

Advanced sound design: modulations, automation, unconventional effects.

Recording & Editing
Effective voice recording: artistic direction, placement, interpretation.

Fast & clean editing: assembly, alignment, natural corrections.

Collaboration & Communication
Knowing how to work with other musicians: conveying ideas, communicating with a mixer or sound engineer, maintaining an overall vision.

Mixing & Finalization
Clear and productive session organization: routing, buses, colors, naming.

Using the main mixing tools:

Compression: dynamic management

EQ: Frequency balance

Delay & Reverb: space and depth

Limiting: level control

Special FX (ring mods, filters, etc.): to go further with the texture

Export preparation: stereo, stems, separate tracks, formats suitable for mixing or mastering.

In summary
The goal is not to follow a fixed method, but to make concrete progress on a real musical project, regardless of the starting level.
The idea is to start with a desire, a sound, a riff, a feeling... and turn it into a solid, inspired, controlled piece.

This is what I have been doing for twenty years, and what I pass on here with rigor.

Online lessons are available. Cubase is recommended but not required. You can work with other DAWs or directly with stems/audio files as needed.