Unlock Your Musical Potential
Join us at Kumu Jaz's Beat School and learn from some of the top instructors and working musicians in Hawai'i
About Beat School
At Kumu Jaz's Beat School, we are excited to offer both online and face to face instruction in the fastest growing field of the both music & gaming industry ... Beat Making!
There is a fast growing community of young (some as young as 15) "Beat Makers", also called "Producers", who are making a substantial living either making original instrumental music and streaming it as an Artist / Producer, or making music for video games as well as for Pop and Hip Hop celebrity artists.
All from the comforts of their bedroom studios! *** This program isn't just for kids! We offer the same program to adults no matter what age or experience level. Even if you are already a schooled or working musician, you can take advantage of just the recording and producing elements.
Beat Making is no longer just "Sampling" and using drum machines. Although that is still great and an important part of the Beat Making culture, today's Beat Makers are playing their own chord progressions (piano), writing their own melodies, and playing multiple live instruments.
They are also learning how to "finish the song", arranging all other elements to make an IDEA become a HIT! Thus, evolving from Beat Maker to Music Producer, who is traditionally who leads the entire project & makes final decisions. Our teachings & style come from 40 years of Beat Making experience, over 30 years of live performance and 20 plus years of award winning and nominated albums in multiple genre. Our curriculum and reliability comes from teaching these same programs in the DOE.
Kid's love music, why not give them the ability to make it them selves , in their way. Kid's love technology, why not learn to use it to feed their brains and creativity while teaching to spread good energy & happiness!
.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,h:1209,cg:true)
Our Curriculum
LEARN TO RECORD & PRODUCE ON DIGITAL AUDIO WORK STATIONS
- Sound Trap / Studio One / Logic pro / Reaper / Garage Band for recording, producing and post production. Also learn to "Sample" and Chop
- learn to use Pad controllers Maschine & MPC
LEARN BASIC MUSIC THEORY
- major & minor scales / chord progressions / number system / harmony , basics on Piano
ARRANGING AND PRODUCING
- learn to arrange a song into it's "form" or parts using basic charting and "musician language"
LEARN RECORDING ENGINEERING
- operating a mixing board / how to communicate with client / record vocals & live instruments
- proper microphone placement in small spaces - work on both analog and digital gear
SHOP YOUR MUSIC
- learn the ins and outs of today's music industry and how to release your music to the world (digitally and organically) and how to make business out of your passion!
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED? WHAT IF I WANT TO PLAY TOO?
For Section One all you need is a lap top and set of good headphones. By Section Two, you will need to add an Interface , a microphone, 1/4" Instrument cable, and a pair of small monitors. These can also be purchased used if you find some available locally.
PC users will also need to upgrade to Studio One Pro or Reaper, While Mac users must upgrade to Logic Pro or Studio one.
If you wish to learn or develop on an instrument to either add to your production skills or, to be more of an artist / producer, and make music for yourself to perform, we offer lessons in ukulele, piano, guitar, bass & drums. Basic piano is taught as part of our production classes.
here are some links to affordable but reliable "Pro" gear
*** Recording Bundle (includes everything you need except midi board) ,
Interface , midi keyboard, microphone , headphones .
You can also search Amazon for deals on same products. Ask about our used gear (if available)
SECTION ONE - FINDING YOUR GROOVE
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
In Section One you will use a free online software called Sound Trap. Here you will learn how to arrange music loops to construct a beat., start your music theory lessons , and pick which instrument will be your main tool as an artist or producer. This is where you will get your initial basics to be able to work on any Software.
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
In Section two you will upgrade from Sound Trap to a Pro DAW. You will start learning how to record and bring in audio into your production. You will start incorporating your own parts, that you write and perform yourself to create original music. This is also where you will learn to combine Midi (digital piano) with Live recordings (guitar bass etc). By this section you will also started your private lessons on your main instrument.
SECTION THREE - FINISHING THE SONG
SECTION TWO - RECORDING/MAKING A SONG
SECTION THREE - FINISHING THE SONG
Section Three you learn to "Finish" the song. This includes writing melodies, lyrics, and bringing in outside guest musicians to collaborate on your music. You will also learn how to do these things for other artist who cannot do this for themselves. By this time you will have figured out what genre you enjoy producing the most to make it your style or sound.
SECTION FOUR - MEDIA - VIDEO
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
SECTION THREE - FINISHING THE SONG
Section Four you learn to create your own CD/ Album covers using Canva, Photo Shop & Pixlr. You will learn basic graphic design and also how to use A.I. You will also learn to produce your own promotional videos using We Video & IMovie
SECTION FIVE - BEING THE ARTIST
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
Section Five- In the past, the producer was always behind the scenes. Today not only are producers more like artist, they are often bigger stars then the artist they make music for. We teach you to take your behind the scenes skills and bring them to the stage front and center! Here you will also start building your beats around your choice of main instrument, making it the star! If you Sing, you will learn to be a true musician, who can sing and play at the same time.
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
SECTION SIX- THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC
Section Six you will learn how to market, sell and make your music available for digital streaming and downloads, but also to sell music as a physical product from your own store. Learn how the business works and how to succeed.
CONTINUED MENTORSHIP - PRIVATE LESSONS
CONTINUED MENTORSHIP - PRIVATE LESSONS
CONTINUED MENTORSHIP - PRIVATE LESSONS
Once you have completed all Sections, you can stay on for continuing mentorship and help, and also continue with your private Music Lessons. You will continue to have access to all of our lesson videos, library of tools and also, access to our sound packs.
Learn Music & PRODUCTION at Beat School
Expert Music Instructors
Our experienced instructors are passionate about teaching and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Our head instructor and owner is Jason "Jaz" Yglesias , known to students as Kumu Jaz. A music & media teacher at Konawaena Middle School and engineer and operator of Mixed Emotion Studio Hi, In Keauhou Kona , HI. Originally from the Bay Area, Jaz is an award winning artist and producer who has worked with and kicked off the careers of dozens of Hawaii Hit Making Artists, including Grammy Winners & Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winners ( Jaz is a 2 time NHA winner and 8X nominee) a drummer by design (also plays keys) , Jaz has worked at and served internships in many of Hawai'i top recording studios. A student of Full Sail University's famed Music Production program , he has produced and done session (drums & beats) work on hundreds of songs in the Hawaii Music industry ( many top ten hits) and continues to make beats under the name "Jitz Beatz". Our Guitar Instructor is Gunner Nagata , a Kailua Kona native , Guitar Player & Luthier who received his education in Nashville! Gunner teaches and works out of Kine Works Music Store in Kona.
Class Schedule
All online classes are asynchronous and students will have access to weekly (recorded) lessons and have a week to complete and upload their assignment. Each student will have a (one on one) zoom meeting with Kumu Jaz to go over the project and share feed back and tips. Online only students will be able to view recorded live meeting / lesson
on Monday.
Local students will do the same with the addition of a weekly live meeting with classmates at Beat Schools headquarters, Mixed Emotion Studio HI. This is where we will go over live recording techniques, and learn to work professional studio and live gear. also covered will be post production (mixing and mastering), vocal coaching,
Monday: Online weekly lesson and assignment issued by 7am HST
Mid Week (time scheduled, optional) one on one phone/video call with Kumu Jaz to see how you are doing with assignment and to ask any questions.
Thursday: Due by 10pm HST, a 3 minute video of you working on your assignment
Sunday:
- live group meeting / lesson at headquarters 10am-11am HST
- weekly assignment due , must be uploaded by 5pm HST
***Students have access to library of videos on lessons, tips, advice, gear and other cool stuff about music production and beat making. You can also email or text any day for any questions.
Tuition
- cost: $250 per month with 6 month minimum contract. $300 monthly no contract
- additional private lessons: This will be paid separately to the instructor and negotiable.
instrument lessons available: drums piano, guitar, bass, dj'ing, mix engineering (adv).
- gear: student is responsible for all recording gear. Links are listed in "What I need to
get started".
Grading
Students are mainly given timelines to finish and grades to prove accountability and to that they take this seriously enough to make a living at it one day. Clients don't like to work with lazy producers no matter how good you are. You are also not graded on your style or creativity (more on your growth on fundamentals and knowledge), but you will be praised and rewarded for it. Your good work ethic will get you the job, but your style and creativity will keep them coming back!