Ableton Push 3: A Beginner's Guide

Hi everyone! 👋

Are you a newbie to the Ableton Push 3? If so, you might be feeling excited and overwhelmed at the same time. It's like getting a new toy on Christmas morning! You plug it in, and then... what do you do next?

We've all been there. That's why I created this new YouTube tutorial to help you get started with your Push 3.

It's all about focusing on one thing at a time, mastering it, and then moving on to the next.

The Push 3 can be divided into four main parts:

1. Session Pad Mode: This is where you launch clips and create a musical structure in real-time

2. Note Mode: This is where you create melodies and chords.

3. Drum Mode: This is where you create beats and percussion patterns.

4. Encoders: These control instruments, audio, and MIDI effects.

I always start with Session Pad Mode when I teach the Push 3 at the university or in my online course. This is because it's a great way to get a feel for the Push 3. I also give a sample pack with loops that all fit together. So you can focus on launching clips in time to create a song without having to worry about the music theory side of things.

This is the approach I use in my Ableton Push 3 course. Once you have mastered the Session Pad Mode, you move on to Note Mode and Drum Mode, where you can make your beats, chords, and melodies to go with the sample pack. You then further shape your sound with the use of automation and audio/MIDI effects. With this structure, you'll go from a beginner to a pro in no time at all.

All the best, Craig