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Imaginative Music Learning
A: It will show you how easy it is to get creative with a minimum amount of base knowledge (you will learn the base knowledge during the course). It is quite fast paced, but this enables many topics to be covered over the weekend. You will be saturated with information. It is an intensive course but fun too. You are guaranteed to learn a lot, and fast, together with many cool musical "short cuts". The included "Hotwired Music Production Pack" supports and elaborates on all of the subjects covered on the"Hotwired Live" course. So you can think of the "Live" course as a great introduction to creative music making.
A: No. Some of the content might be a bit challenging, but you will be challenged in a positive way – one that is dynamic and inspiring. You will witness at first hand what is possible if you follow the techniques shown to you. This should motivate you into wanting to learn more. Each topic in the course starts from scratch, so you will be able to achieve a good "grounding" almost straight away. You will be shown how simple some aspects of music can be.
A: No, not necessarily. The concepts are probably totally different to what you will have studied previously. The course will prompt you into thinking about how you can use your technique to greater effect. You will discover many new topics that won't have been covered by the examination boards of the ABRSM, LCM and TC for example.
However, it would be advisable to contact Mat first to discuss matters before enrolling. Alternatively, you may choose to consider a Hotwired One 2 One course instead.
A: The course uses a completely different approach to conventionalism, so using the grading system to evaluate the level of the course could be misleading. There will be some elements that will be familiar to you, and some will be totally new. Each subject starts from a basic level and goes up as high as necessary to demonstrate its purpose whilst remaining comprehensible. The focus of the course is to show you how to be creative by a) using what you might already know, but to a higher degree and b) to introduce new concepts that will accelerate the learning curve enabling quicker conception and fruition of ideas. You will also be able to re-evaluate music theory from a fresh and alternative perspective.
A: Nearly all forms of music are based upon a fundamental set of principles which are extended or elaborated upon according to genre. Dance music is no exception. Using a non musical example, if you want to express yourself using the spoken word, possessing a good vocabulary will allow you to say exactly what you want and to the point. You can choose how you communicate depending on who you are talking to i.e. in a way that is either simplistic or sophisticated. This principle translates to music also. Being able to draw upon a wider resource of musical tools and music vocabulary will allow you to better develop and express your ideas in your chosen realm. You will have more "ingredients" to put into your "mix".
A: Most definitely. Attributing names and formulas to your working methods will benefit your comprehension and long term development in music. If we don't know what we are doing, how do we progress? How do we know where to go next? The course will provide you with the knowledge and also the links to be able to chain your ideas together and expand upon them in a coherent manner.
A: Absolutely. The most frequent comment I receive from the weekend course attendees is how clear the presentation of material is, and how fast one learns (see the testimonials). Some have even said they have learned more on the "Hotwired Live" course than through a couple of years of music lessons and study. A big selling point of the course is the level of inspiration it generates. The topics are presented in a slightly alternative but more exhilarating way than in conventional music teaching. Watching someone do something and then explain it visually in a clear cut way creates a contagious buzz amongst course attendees. They leave the course feeling enlightened and very positive about their task ahead.
A: Most definitely, especially if you write your music using a software sequencer. Any non keyboard instrumentalist will benefit. As the keyboard is still the standard interface for the pc, having a basic keyboard technique is of course an advantage. You will be able to programme backing tracks using virtual instruments which will enable you to diversify and even create an album on your own without the expense of hiring other musicians. Much of the course material is translatable to the guitar. (Also see Q17)
A: Dynamic presentation is the answer. Showing the really useful facts about "real-world" theoretical issues in a stimulating environment is really important. The "I didn't know you could do that" response is a common one from attendees of the course. Breaking down the barriers to free the imagination is a vital component also. The imagination is such a powerful tool and is often forgotten about in conventional teaching methods. Using simple tips and tricks can kick-start an amazing creative chain reaction. You will leave the course feeling very inspired.
A: One scale can be used to write a whole piece of music. A single chord can serve as the basis for a song if it is used in the right way. There are many options available to us if we open up the right "boxes" scales and chords can equally be used as compositional models. The type of scale or chord can suggest a musical genre or even a culture. Each one can inspire a different idea. The "Live" course will show you the truly interesting aspects behind scales and chords. You will be amazed at what you can do from just the use of a few notes.
A: No. This is covered in the included Hotwired Music Production Pack. This would take up too much time within the weekend. There is a book within the pack dedicated to showing the techniques regarding how to read notation.
A: Well, it is unique for a start and provides a very motivating and useful insight into the workings of music from a practical and theoretical point of view. You will leave extremely satisfied and stimulated by what you will have witnessed over the two days. Add to that the included "Hotwired Music Production Pack" and you will walk away with something very special indeed. Hotwired as a brand is very proud of what it offers and the service it gives. You will not find a weekend course that provides such high levels of inspiration and quality and quantity of included support material anywhere in the world
A: Absolutely. These books were written to be used as a "stand alone" information pack and learning tool. They of course compliment the "Hotwired Live" course just as the "Hotwired Live" course compliments the books within the pack. All of the books have been written using a systematic approach employing as simple a vocabulary as possible. When the books were conceived, they were done so in a fashion which assumed the reader would have no prior knowledge of music or music theory. The "Hotwired Live" course basically outlines the key points in the books in a practical, visual and stimulating manner. If you give yourself time to read and follow the books in their suggested order, you will have no problems in progressing quickly and efficiently.
A: Yes, most certainly. All of the books introduce each of the topics from scratch. There is a logical order to the text and it is written in an accessible way. There are many diagrams and audio examples as well as Midi files to assist you in your learning.
A: No, but having access to so much information can only be an advantage. It is there for you when you need it. Without being led, we often don't explore further than we think we need to. By delving deeper, we find new and unexpected treasures. These can enrich our musical vocabulary even more and lead us onto creating better and more fulfilling compositions.
A: No. Each book is a vital component within the pack as a whole. The books also cross reference. Even if you have a good knowledge of scales and chords, you will still discover many new forms, as well as new insights into theory and how it can be used in ways in which you may not have thought about.
A: Technically, yes you can. Many of the formulas and topics can be translated directly to another instrument i.e. scale forms, particular improvisation and composition techniques, specific relationships between scales and chords, and how to read music. Chords can be re-voiced (re-spelled) across many instruments within a harmonic arrangement - obviously for guitarists, the approach would need to account for manageable fret/finger positions. The programming book is really only relative to the keyboard in that it explains about the techniques and mechanics for drum programming and bass programming/ emulation via a midi keyboard. However, there are drum rudiments and interesting pattern formulations which could easily be experimented with via electronic hand percussion or other midi devices. One would really have to evaluate if they could justify the necessary investment of their time in the translation.
A: It was written especially for those people who are searching for straight forward answers regarding the fundamentals of creativity relating to modern music composition and production. It provides a "low down" and "how to" guide for constructing a piece of music - a complete set of correlated books written in the same writing style which allows continuity of learning and easier comprehension of what can be a rather daunting subject. There are literally hundreds of audio demos composed especially for the books, loads of midi files, hundreds of diagrams and even some self help tests to make sure that you are grasping certain elements. (See the Hotwired Music production Pack page and also the chapter index for an outline of book content)
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