Creative Music-Making with Digital Audio Workstations

Abstract

Interest in creative music technologies is on the rise among secondary students. Still, some music teachers are unsure how to integrate creative music technologies into their instruction. This article explores one versatile and powerful technology for the music classroom: digital audio workstations (DAWs). First, I discuss the central role of hyphenated musicianship in DAW-based music-making. Second, I explore a guiding framework for DAW-based creative projects in the music classroom. Third, I outline three initial projects for free or low-cost DAWs, each addressing fundamental musical, creative, and technological concepts for DAW-based music-making. The ideas and projects described in this article offer a practical pathway toward introductory DAW-based competencies and pedagogy, especially for music teachers inexperienced with DAW technologies.