Short Courses at DIME!

Fall is here and it's time for another round of Short Courses at DIME! The first 5 courses listed will begin on October 12th and meet on Wednesdays from 7-9pm for 6 weeks.

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Mix Sessions 102 will begin on October 11th and meet on Tuesday nights from 7-10pm for 6 weeks!

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So, read up about all of the courses below and choose your favorite! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call us at 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com.

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RAISE YOUR VOICE

Through this exciting short course, vocalists will improve and strengthen their singing technique, learn how to improvise riffs/runs and melodic ideas, understand microphone techniques that will allow them to get the most out of their voice, and concepts that will help performers command a stage and captivate an audience. Vocal instructor Liz Gray has coached students who have gone on to appear in Billboard Magazine, VH1, The Disney Channel, and sign major deals with talent agencies across the country. As a performer, Liz has sung everything from opera to rock, and she is excited to share her knowledge with up and coming singers and performing artists. This course will culminate in a live performance in DIMEs amazing Underground venue, where students will demonstrate the skills learned throughout the course on stage.

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BEATMAKING THEORY

What are the building blocks of a beat? This course breaks down the elements of music that make listeners want to dance, bob their head, or sing along to an instrumental backing track. While exploring the basics of music production, recording, and beatmaking, students will also learn the concepts of sequencing drum beats, understanding different types of rhythm and subdivisions, creating chord progressions that add emotion to the music, and composing a catchy melody. Instructor Drew Schultz is a prolific drummer/producer/writer who has performed with artists including the Temptations and Aretha Franklin, and worked in audio production with artists including ?uestlove, Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire, CeeLo Green, and more. His knowledge of instrumental music combined with his studio experience will give students a unique insight to beatmaking and production through the lens of musicianship and composition.

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MUSIC BIZ BASICS

How does an artist forge a path from the recording studio to the top of the charts? This informative course will examine the basics of protecting songs and compositions through copyright, how songs and are placed and licensed to major artists, labels, films, television, and commercials, and how to get an artist or album noticed, heard, and promoted. Angela Watson, a label operator / manager / festival organizer / artistic director will share her experience from years of working with artists and events including Carl Craig, Movement / DEMF, and the J. Dilla Foundation. Whether you are an artist or bandleader hoping to guide your own projects to success, or an entrepreneur interested in working within the business side of music, this course will help to create a strong foundation of industry knowledge and understanding.

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YOUR SONG

Songwriting can be a daunting concept - putting your feelings and stories out into the world, performing them on stage, or pitching them to another artist to record and perform can be an intimidating process. This course is designed to teach songwriters multiple methods of expressing their ideas through lyrics and melody, allowing them to spark creativity at any time. Students will learn the basics of arranging chords and rhythms to complement their compositions, discover exercises used to spur ideas and break through writers block, and develop their own music. Audra Kubat, an award-winning and prolific songwriter who has recorded and performed her own original compositions for major labels, prestigious venues, and alongside national artists, will encourage students to create their own songs and perform in a showcase concert in DIMEs Underground venue at the end of the course.

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KEYS CONCEPTS

Piano and keyboards are a dominant force in the worlds of composition, performance, and production, and this course is intended to open the door for students to begin understanding the concept of keys. Students will learn the basics of scales and chords, through which songwriters derive melodies and arrangements for songs of all genres. They will learn how keys fit into the pop music landscape, proper playing technique, and the building blocks of improvising chords, melodies, and riffs. Instructor DoRohn Gough has worked as keyboardist, musical director, and composer for artists including Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Janet Jackson, and he is looking forward to bringing these experiences into the classroom for a truly modern course on a timeless instrument.

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MIX SESSIONS 102 (TUESDAY NIGHTS, starting October 11th!)

Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale, Detroit's Godmother of House, returns to DIME to offer the second installment of her Mix Sessions Course. This class will focus on intermediate level techniques in beat matching, sequencing, and more.