{"product_id":"workshop-with-flying-lotus","title":"Workshop with Flying Lotus (September 2026)","description":"\u003c!-- course_description.html --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"course-description-block\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’re honored to announce that \u003cstrong\u003eFlying Lotus\u003c\/strong\u003e (Steven Ellison) will be teaching a workshop with School of Song, beginning \u003cstrong\u003eSunday, September 13th\u003c\/strong\u003e. Flying Lotus is a Grammy-winning producer, composer, artist, filmmaker, and founder of Brainfeeder Records, and has collaborated with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to David Lynch. We’re lifelong fans and are deeply honored to facilitate this workshop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis course takes place \u003cstrong\u003elive on zoom, \u003c\/strong\u003eand class recordings are sent out afterwards if you can't make the live times (see full schedule below).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe course will dive into his approach to production and composition, as well as how he builds a daily musical practice that lets inspiration flow. We’ll cover a range of topics, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe ‘Sketchbook’ Approach\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlyLo will share his sketchbook approach to music-making: using the DAW as an exploratory environment rather than a place where every session has to become a finished song. We’ll look at his techniques for gathering sounds, loops, and samples in Ableton, focusing especially on the practical methods he uses to fashion those fragments into finalized songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImprovisation in the Studio and on Stage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing from his evolving live setup, we’ll look at how preparation, organization, and flexible systems can create more freedom in the moment, whether you’re building a solo set, playing with a band, or thinking dynamically about stems, beats, and instrumentation. We’ll explore trial and error as a vital way of discovering what a performance or song actually wants to be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessing New Dimensions Through Practice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlbums-deep into a career centered on the DAW, FlyLo committed himself to really studying piano, and it revealed dimensions of expression he didn’t know he was missing. He’ll share his journey of developing facility on an instrument, the parallels between transcribing and sampling, where theory helps and where it hurts, and how to practice when nobody’s holding you accountable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndividuality\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ll explore the role of individuality in developing a creative practice: learning how to trust your quirks, sharpen your point of view, and develop a distinct musical sensibility over time. In a cultural moment that pushes artists toward sameness, we’ll consider how sound, presentation, and instinct can come together to help you make work that feels personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- course_logistics.html --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"course-logistics-block\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCourse Logistics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorkshop is taught over Zoom on the following dates:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLectures: Sundays September 13th, 20th, 27th, and October 4th, 2026\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo options for lecture times: 11 AM PT or 6 PM PT each Sunday. The first week (September 13th) both sessions run 2 hours; all other sessions are 60 minutes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQ\u0026amp;As: Wednesdays September 16th, 23rd, and 30th, 2026 at 6 PM PT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSong-Shares: Saturdays September 19th, 26th and October 3rd, 2026\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSong-share times (each runs about 1 hour long, first week roughly 75 min): \n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 AM PT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 PM PT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 PM  PT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 PM PT\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you can't make the live class, you can still participate by watching the recordings of the lectures and Q\u0026amp;A sessions (sent out after class).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSigning up with a friend + Gifting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSeGIM6S8U4EahKeM9jnuc8B82uToUEP8nWovqblfnFF25XxuQ\/viewform?usp=sf_link\"\u003eSign up with a friend to receive a 20% discount by clicking here.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you'd like to buy the workshop for yourself and gift it to a friend, just add 1 to your cart with \"This is a gift\" checked and their info, and 1 to your cart normally -- the discount will be applied automatically. \u003cem\u003eNote:\u003c\/em\u003e no refunds on discounted orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: What musical experience should I have?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: People across all musical levels will be able to gain something from the course, but having familiarity with a musical instrument and\/or recording environment will be helpful for completing the (optional) homework assignments.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: What Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) should I use?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: There are no specific DAW requirements for this class. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFlyLo currently works in Ableton, but the concepts covered will apply to any DAW. Some of the lectures will be focused on sound design, digital organization, and other topics that will be best understood in the context of using a DAW, but there will still be valuable takeaways for those without DAWs. \u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: What if I've never written a song before? Can I still participate in this workshop?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: Yes! As with any new skill, just starting is usually the hardest part. The songs are optional and this workshop will provide the structure and accountability we all need to get started and follow through, for beginners and old guard writers alike.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: Is there an enrollment cap?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: Nope! This is a lecture-style class with open enrollment. The song shares will be optional with breakout rooms of 3-4 people.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: Will Flying Lotus give me feedback on my songs?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: Due to the class size, we cannot guarantee that you'll get Flying Lotus's feedback on your songs. However, our teachers are active on our song sharing platform and may leave comments on students' submissions.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eQ: I can't make the lecture times for some (or all) of the classes. Can I still participate?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA: Yes! We send out the recordings of lectures at the end of each class day, so you can watch the lectures on your own time.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions? Email us at \u003ca href=\"mailto:hi@schoolofsong.org\"\u003ehi@schoolofsong.org\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- refund_policy.html --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf after the first class you feel the course is not a good fit for any reason, you are welcome to a refund on the rest of the course classes. We are unable to process refunds after the second class.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"School of Song","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46895461695687,"sku":"SW-FLYLO-26","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/0165\/9591\/files\/crop-option-d.jpg?v=1785166202","url":"https:\/\/schoolofsong.org\/products\/workshop-with-flying-lotus","provider":"School of Song","version":"1.0","type":"link"}