GRAMMY-winning hit-maker Timbaland has produced countless classic jams over the years including Ginuwine's "Pony," JAY-Z's "Big Pimpin'" and "Dirt Of Your Shoulder" and so many of Missy Elliott's (many) gems like "Get Ur Freak On" and "Work It." If you've ever wondered what magical musical wizardry Timbaland possesses to make such infectious, iconic tracks, you're in luck.
Today he announced he would be leading his first-ever online course, via online education platform MasterClass, where he will break down his process and share his deep wisdom and experience in the music industry.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My first-ever <a href="https://twitter.com/masterclass?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MasterClass</a> on producing and beatmaking has just been released! As long as you love music, you’re welcome here—in my studio, with my team. Get the details NOW: <a href="https://t.co/ABkFOl4saG">https://t.co/ABkFOl4saG</a> <a href="https://t.co/QZtAtrDDfa">pic.twitter.com/QZtAtrDDfa</a></p>— Timbaland (@Timbaland) <a href="https://twitter.com/Timbaland/status/1100449398637481985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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MasterClass' newest offering, "Timbaland Teaches Producing And Beatmaking," gives aspiring music creators access to 15 video-based lessons with the great himself, where topics include breaking down the steps in his beat-making process and unpacking several of his hits including "Pony" and "Dirt Of Your Shoulder." Each lesson, which can be done at your own pace after signing up for the course, builds upon each other, leading to topics like lesson seven, "Making A Beat: Tweaking And Layering Drums," and ending with "How To Persevere," where he offers what is likely invaluable insight and "reveals what drives him and how you can keep focused on your inspiration and goals."
As he shares in trailer video above, all you really need to learn alongside the master is a computer, a microphone and some heart.
"It's all about your energy, what you put into the record. The beat has to be infectious first," Timbaland said. "I want to give all the knowledge that I can give, that's what I'm here on earth to do. We have so much available to us, it's all in you and what you want to do. If you love it that much, it's gonna happen."
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A press release from MasterClass asserts the "course is designed for aspiring recording artists and producers at any level and…lays a foundation from creative inception to final production." In the release Timbaland underscores the importance of collaboration, and how his instruction will help prepare you to find stellar collaborators, as he so expertly has over the years.
"When it comes to music production, the key is believing in your own ideas and finding collaborators that can help those ideas breathe. In my MasterClass, students will walk away with the essentials to bring their own beats to life, giving them the confidence to find collaborators that believe in their vision as much as they do," Timbaland explained.
Timbaland has been creating catchy hooks and futuristic beats since the mid-'90s and earned his first of many GRAMMY nods for his work on Missy's 1997 debut LP Supa Dupa Fly, which earned the oft-collaborators a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 40th GRAMMY Awards. He earned his first win for Timberlake's "SexyBack," which won Best Dance Recording at the 49th GRAMMY Awards.
He joins MasterClass' impressive group of legendary instructors across topics ranging from film to cooking, as well as several fellow music masters. GRAMMY-winning Latin rock forefather Carlos Santana teaches the art of guitar and GRAMMY-winning R&B stalwart Usher showcases his performance skills, while GRAMMY-nominated dance music innovators Armin van Burren and Deadmau5 each offer their insights on electronic music production, to name a few.
Timbaland's course is newly available online today and can be purchased for $90 or accessed with MasterClass' $180 annual membership, which offers unlimited access to all current classes.
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