Daniel Dehaan

Lecture - Week 07

Lecture - Week 07: Production Style — Genre Deep Dive

Overview

Every genre has its own sonic fingerprint—characteristic sounds, mixing approaches, arrangement patterns, and production techniques. This week, we dive deep into a specific genre to understand what makes it tick, then apply those conventions to our own work.

Topics

The Imitation Approach to Genre

  • Why genre study accelerates learning
  • Conventions as a starting point, not a cage
  • Learning the rules before breaking them
  • Building versatility through genre fluency

Anatomy of a Genre

  • Sonic characteristics (instrumentation, timbres, textures)
  • Rhythmic patterns and grooves
  • Harmonic tendencies
  • Arrangement conventions
  • Mixing and mastering aesthetics

Genre Deep Dive Method

  1. Survey: Listen to 10+ tracks in the genre
  2. Identify: What patterns emerge?
  3. Isolate: Pick 3-5 defining characteristics
  4. Study: Find tutorials/breakdowns of these elements
  5. Recreate: Build a track using these conventions
  6. Reflect: What did you learn?

Case Study: [Genre TBD]

  • Historical context and origins
  • Key artists and defining tracks
  • Signature sounds and techniques
  • Common tools and plugins
  • Live demonstration

From Genre to Personal Style

  • How genre study informs your own voice
  • Blending influences from multiple genres
  • The balance between convention and innovation
  • Building a versatile production toolkit

In-Class Activities

  1. Genre Identification (15 min)

    • Listen to tracks blind
    • Identify genre markers
    • Discuss what makes each genre recognizable

  2. Convention Breakdown (20 min)

    • As a class, analyze one genre in depth
    • List its defining characteristics
    • Identify specific techniques we can learn

  3. Genre Recreation Start (25 min)

    • Begin building a track in the studied genre
    • Focus on capturing 2-3 key conventions
    • This continues as the week’s assignment

Resources

Connection to Wednesday

Studio Session (Group): Genre exploration continues. Work in small groups focused on the same genre, share discoveries and techniques.

Assignment Preview

Assignment - Genre Study Project

  • Choose a genre different from your default style
  • Document 5+ defining characteristics
  • Create a short piece (1-2 min) in that genre’s style
  • Reflect: What did you learn that you can apply to your own music?
  • Include habit check-in