BandLab for Teens

This course has everything you need to know to get into music production with BandLab (free online music software).

• It is suitable for complete beginners, so you can start making music very quickly, even if you’ve never done it before.
• It is also suitable for more advanced students – if you already know a bit about music software and want to go into more depth. The course worksheets have more in-depth learning, and when combined with weekly seminars on our Premium subscription, you can take your learning up to college level if you choose.

This course has all the same learning as the BandLab for Adults course. But this course uses BandLab for Education - a safe "walled garden" that only contains other MusicEL students of your age group (13 - 17). BandLab Edu doesn't have the social media aspect that the main site does, but does allow you to collaborate with other students in the MusicEL course.

With almost 6 hours of video lessons, there’s enough material here to keep you going for many months, as you apply what you’ve learned to your own tunes. You’ll cover all the musical aspects of writing music, such as bass lines, chords and beats. And all the technical details from talking you through how to use BandLab, to mixing your finished track.

About the teacher

Si Gordon is a music producer and DJ. He’s also an audio professional and lecturer who teaches in schools, and at FE & HE levels. He has been working in the music industry for over 30 years specialising in music composition, sound recording, sound design, production and engineering for both moving media and the record industry.

His composition and recording work has appeared on  the likes of American Idol, Oprah Winfrey, Sky Sports, Miami Ink, America’s Next Top Model, MTV Europe, Trinny & Susannah Undress, Storm Watches, Horrible Histories and more.

Internet safety

If you’re a Premium member, your teacher will give you a log on for the BandLab classroom where you can make music with other students on the course.

If you are a Standard member, you won’t have a classroom to log into (as we need to make sure the classrooms are safe and can’t make them open to all). If a parent/carer agrees and monitors your account, they can register an account on the main BandLab site. You’ll be able to learn all the same things on this course – no problems.

But be aware! The main BandLab site has a social media aspect – other BandLab users can message you. So if you’re under 18, we’d recommend you sign up for Premium membership to make sure you’re learning in a safe “walled garden” where you’ll be learning with other MusicEL young people of similar age, under the guidance of our teachers.

Course Instructor

Si Gordon Author