Coursera for musicians: course overview

    About the training system Coursera on a habr repeatedly wrote. And even cited the announcements of some courses. I decided to select those that can be interesting and useful to people working with sound: musicians, composers, sound engineers, both experienced and just thinking to take their first steps. The courses offered will help:
    • get familiar with the physical basics of sound and acoustics;
    • get a basic or expand understanding of the theory of music, psychoacoustics, etc .;
    • Get acquainted with digital sound processing, software tools and processing mechanisms;
    • learn to write your simplest sound processing programs;
    • finally, learn to play the guitar, jazz improvisation, rehearsal management and other interesting things.


    For those who are not in the know, Coursera is one of the sites with a bunch of diverse distance courses from large (and not so) foreign universities. Each course starts at a specific time, new video lectures and homework are released weekly. If you are not filonite and do your homework successfully, at the end of the course you will receive an electronic certificate of completion (which, however, can be found with little use). Most courses are written in English, but there are some other languages.

    All the courses described here can be divided into 3 groups: technical (1, 2, 7), art and humanitarian (3-6), for programmers (7, 8). The list is sorted by training start date.
    1. Fundamentals of audio and sound engineering. Part 1: music sound and electronics
    2. Introduction to Music Production
    3. Jazz improvisation
    4. Guitar Introductory
    5. Songwriting
    6. Basics of rehearsing groups
    7. Music Technology Overview
    8. Introduction to programming for musicians and digital artists


    Fundamentals of audio and sound engineering. Part 1: music sound and electronics


    The course began on June 4 and is already nearing completion. But if you have enough time to listen to the monthly lecture material, you can still sign up.

    The 6-week course covers the theoretical foundations of sound and acoustics, as well as signals and electronics in their relation to music. The course program covers selected topics of wave theory, electricians, radio electronics. Judging by the program, the creators' favorite instrument is the electric guitar. And the final project is a guitar amplifier that you can do with your own hands.

    Estimated load: 4-5 hours per week.
    Base University: University of Rochester

    Go to the course page.

    Introduction to Music Production


    I really did not want to use the word “production”, but it more succinctly describes the process than “production”. Or just more fashionable. This course will tell you about the sequence of actions when creating a sound recording from directly recording to editing and information, as well as about the necessary hardware and software tools used in the process. Lecturers will talk about recording equipment, various types of processing and effects, a separate lesson will be devoted to synthesizers.

    Beginning of classes: July 19.
    Course duration: 6 weeks
    Estimated load: 6-8 hours per week.
    Base University: Berklee College of Music

    Go to the course page.

    Jazz improvisation


    The creator of this course will try to teach you what, it would seem, can only be given from above. You will learn about what musical and mental skills an improviser combines when playing. The lecturer will talk about creating logical musical phrases, about choosing musical levels in various harmonic situations, about aspects of applying the theory of music in a game, and even a little bit about how to put soul and emotions into your performance. The course is designed for those who know how to play at least an intermediate level on any musical instrument. You will also need at least the simplest microphone to record your homework.

    Beginning of classes: July 19.
    Course duration: 5 weeks
    Estimated load: 6-8 hours per week.
    Base University:Berklee College of Music

    Go to the course page.

    Guitar Introductory


    Unlike the previous one, this course is designed for beginners. You will learn how to choose your first acoustic or electric guitar, how to tune it, master the simplest techniques and game techniques, as well as the basics of music theory. Also, get information on the effects and sound reinforcement for electric and acoustic guitars. To record homework you will need a simple microphone.

    Beginning of classes: July 19.
    Course duration: 6 weeks
    Estimated load: 6-8 hours per week.
    Base University: Berklee College of Music

    Go to the course page.

    Songwriting


    Perhaps the most distant from the subject of the Habr course of all listed here. Well, quite humanitarian. But I was so intrigued that I signed up. The course creator promises to tell how it is more efficient to create and rhyme lyrics for songs, how to go from an idea to a completed song, how to achieve unity of words and music and convey the author’s intention and emotions to the listener. According to the creators, music education is not necessary, but a microphone is still needed, because again you have to write down your sketches and creations.

    Beginning of classes: July 19.
    Course duration: 6 weeks
    Estimated load: 6-8 hours per week.
    Base University: Berklee College of Music

    Go to the course page.

    Basics of rehearsing groups


    The course is useful for those who lead musical groups from small groups to choirs and orchestras. Perhaps there are such on the habr. The course covers the skills necessary for effective leadership, including the organization of the rehearsal process, the basics of conducting, musical expression, ear training, interaction with performers, etc.

    Beginning of classes: August.
    Course duration: 8 weeks
    Estimated load: 4-6 hours per week.
    Base University: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Go to the course page.

    Music Technology Overview


    Unlike the previous 5, this course is for true music programmers and electronic music creators. It is mainly devoted to digital technologies for working with sound: workstations (DAW), interfaces, synthesis, recording and processing. And even a little have to code in Python in a special software environment designed to work with one of the digital workstations.

    Beginning of classes: August 26.
    Course duration: 6 weeks
    Estimated load: 5-7 hours per week.
    Base University: Georgia Institute of Technology

    Go to the course page.

    Introduction to programming for musicians and digital artists


    Another course for music programmers and creators of electronic music. Dedicated to the multimedia programming language ChucK, more about which you can read in the article ChucK - programming sound . During the training, you will learn about the syntax, capabilities, and various modules of this language. Special guests of the lectures will be the creators of the language themselves.

    Beginning of classes: October.
    Course duration: 8 weeks
    Estimated load: 2-4 hours per week.
    Base University: California Institute of the Arts

    Go to course page.

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