BandLab Music Production Curriculum

Houston Public Library System

Program Overview

This 8-week curriculum introduces students to digital music production using BandLab, a free online digital audio workstation (DAW). Perfect for beginners ages 12+, no prior music experience required.

Duration8 weeks, 90 minutes per session
PlatformBandLab (web-based, free accounts)
Class Size10-15 students
EquipmentComputers with internet, headphones

Week 1: Introduction to Digital Music Production

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what digital music production is
  • Create BandLab accounts and navigate the interface
  • Learn basic music terminology

Activities:

  • Welcome and introductions (15 min)
  • Overview of digital music production and famous producers (10 min)
  • Creating BandLab accounts (15 min)
  • Guided tour of BandLab interface (25 min)
  • Listening exercise: Identify instruments in popular songs (15 min)
  • Assignment preview (10 min)
Key Terms:DAW, track, loop, tempo, measures
Assignment:Explore BandLab's sound library at home

Week 2: Loops and Beat Making

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand loops and how they create music
  • Create a basic beat using pre-made loops
  • Learn about rhythm and tempo

Activities:

  • Review Week 1 concepts (10 min)
  • Introduction to loops and the loop library (15 min)
  • Demo: Building a simple beat (15 min)
  • Hands-on: Students create their first loop-based track (35 min)
  • Share and discuss: Volunteer students share their beats (10 min)
  • Preview next week (5 min)
Assignment:Create a 30-second beat using at least 4 different loops

Week 3: Drums and Percussion

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand drum patterns and rhythm
  • Use BandLab's drum machine
  • Create original drum patterns

Activities:

  • Listen to different drum patterns in various genres (10 min)
  • Introduction to BandLab's drum kit instrument (15 min)
  • Demo: Programming a basic drum pattern (15 min)
  • Hands-on: Students create their own drum patterns (35 min)
  • Group activity: Build a collective rhythm (10 min)
  • Q&A and wrap-up (5 min)
Assignment:Create three different drum patterns (one slow, one medium, one fast)

Week 4: Melody and Instruments

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand melody vs. rhythm
  • Use virtual instruments in BandLab
  • Create simple melodies

Activities:

  • Introduction to melody and harmony (10 min)
  • Exploring BandLab's virtual instruments (15 min)
  • Demo: Creating a melody using piano roll (20 min)
  • Hands-on: Students create melodies over their drum patterns (30 min)
  • Peer feedback session (10 min)
  • Preview song structure concepts (5 min)
Assignment:Add a melody to your favorite drum pattern from Week 3

Week 5: Song Structure and Arrangement

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand song structure (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro)
  • Arrange loops and patterns into a complete song
  • Use copy, paste, and duplication tools

Activities:

  • Analyze song structure of popular songs (15 min)
  • Demo: Building a complete song arrangement (20 min)
  • Hands-on: Students arrange their elements into a full song (40 min)
  • Listening party: Share progress with the class (10 min)
  • Assignment preview (5 min)
Assignment:Create a complete 1-2 minute song with intro, verse, and chorus

Week 6: Recording and Vocals

Learning Objectives:

  • Record audio directly into BandLab
  • Understand microphone technique basics
  • Add vocal elements to productions

Activities:

  • Introduction to audio recording (10 min)
  • Demo: Recording audio in BandLab (15 min)
  • Microphone technique and tips (10 min)
  • Hands-on: Students record themselves (instruments, vocals, or sounds) (40 min)
  • Group discussion: Challenges and solutions in recording (10 min)
  • Wrap-up (5 min)
Assignment:Add at least one recorded element to your song

Week 7: Mixing and Effects

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand volume balance and panning
  • Use basic effects (reverb, delay, EQ)
  • Create a balanced mix

Activities:

  • Introduction to mixing concepts (15 min)
  • Demo: Using volume, pan, and basic effects (20 min)
  • Before/after listening examples (10 min)
  • Hands-on: Students mix their songs (35 min)
  • Individual check-ins and troubleshooting (10 min)
Assignment:Complete and mix your final project

Week 8: Final Projects and Showcase

Learning Objectives:

  • Present completed work
  • Give and receive constructive feedback
  • Reflect on learning journey

Activities:

  • Final project preparation and polish (20 min)
  • Student showcase: Each student presents their song (40 min)
  • Group feedback and celebration (20 min)
  • Discussion: Next steps in music production (5 min)
  • Certificate distribution and closing (5 min)
Optional:Create a class playlist on BandLab with all student projects

Additional Resources for Instructors

Classroom Management Tips

  • Have headphones available for all students
  • Create a shared class account for demonstration purposes
  • Encourage students to save their work frequently
  • Set up a BandLab group/classroom for easy sharing
  • Have backup activities for students who finish early

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Login problems: Have a backup authentication method
  • Audio not playing: Check browser permissions and headphone connections
  • Students working at different paces: Prepare extension activities
  • Internet connectivity issues: Have offline music theory activities ready

Extension Activities

  • Guest speaker: Local music producer or artist
  • Field trip: Recording studio visit (if available)
  • Collaboration projects: Students work in pairs
  • Genre-specific workshops: Hip-hop, EDM, rock, etc.
  • Music theory basics: Scales, chords, key signatures

Assessment Options

  • Participation and engagement
  • Completion of weekly assignments
  • Final project quality and creativity
  • Peer feedback contributions
  • Written reflection on learning experience

Materials Checklist

Required:

  • Computers with internet access (1 per student)
  • Headphones (1 per student)
  • Projector/large screen for demonstrations
  • Instructor computer

Optional but Helpful:

  • External microphones for better recording quality
  • MIDI keyboards (1-2 for the class to share)
  • Printed reference guides with keyboard shortcuts
  • Examples of professional tracks for analysis

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Navigate BandLab's interface confidently
  • Create beats using loops and drum programming
  • Compose simple melodies using virtual instruments
  • Understand basic song structure
  • Record audio into a digital audio workstation
  • Apply basic mixing techniques and effects
  • Complete and share an original music production

Contact and Community

Encourage students to:

  • Join BandLab's community forums
  • Follow music production tutorials on YouTube
  • Connect with each other for collaborative projects
  • Continue practicing after the class ends

For More Information:
Houston Public Library Music Production Program