Daniel Dehaan

Lecture - Week 11

Lecture - Week 11: Performance — Study a Live Set

Overview

Taking your music from the studio to a live context requires a different set of skills. This week, we study how professional performers structure their sets, interact with their tools, and engage audiences—then apply those insights to our own performance practice.

Topics

The Imitation Approach to Performance

  • Why studying live sets accelerates learning
  • The gap between production and performance
  • What makes a compelling live electronic set?
  • Learning from different performance styles

Studying Live Performances

  • Watching full live sets critically
  • Identifying structure and flow
  • Noting transitions and energy management
  • Hardware/software choices and why they matter

Performance Structures

  • The arc of a live set
  • Building and releasing tension
  • Improvisation vs. pre-planned elements
  • Balancing safety with spontaneity

Performance Techniques to Study

  • Clip launching and scene organization
  • Live effects processing
  • Controller mapping strategies
  • Stage presence and audience connection

Tools for Live Performance

  • Ableton Live Session View
  • Hardware controllers (Push, Launchpad, etc.)
  • Hybrid setups
  • Backup and redundancy planning

From Study to Practice

  • Recreating a simple set structure
  • Building your own performance version of a track
  • Practice strategies for live performance
  • Overcoming performance anxiety

In-Class Activities

  1. Live Set Analysis (25 min)

    • Watch a live set together
    • Map the structure: energy, transitions, key moments
    • Discuss the performer’s choices

  2. Set Building (25 min)

    • Take one of your projects
    • Convert it to a live-playable format
    • Identify what you’d trigger, manipulate, improvise

  3. Mini Performance (10 min)

    • Brave volunteers demo their setup
    • Feedback and discussion

Resources

Connection to Wednesday

Studio Session (Group): Performance workshop. Practice your live setups, give and receive feedback on performance approaches.

Assignment Preview

Assignment - Live Set Study

  • Watch and analyze a full live set (document structure, transitions, techniques)
  • Create a performance-ready version of one of your tracks
  • Short reflection: What did you learn from studying a live performer?
  • Include habit check-in