Music streaming platform TIDAL establishes creative hub for budding artists and musicians, encouraging innovation and talent development.
Streaming giant TIDAL has taken a bold step into the world of music education with the launch of its new Music School. The curriculum, centred around live coding music using TidalCycles, aims to teach users how to program musical notes, cycles, and sound samples in a coding environment.
The coursework is detailed and comprehensive, covering everything from assigning notes numerical or named values to programming rhythmic and melodic structures using code. Users will learn to control samples, such as the "superpiano," and manipulate musical events within cycles. They will also gain insights into how TidalCycles interprets and plays these patterns, including the use of external synthesizer plugins like "sc3plugins."
The curriculum is reflected in the updated Course II tutorial content as of June 2025, which includes weekly lessons on musical notes, programming patterns, and controlling sound synthesis elements. However, it seems that the focus is primarily on electronic pattern programming and live coding music performance within the TIDAL environment, rather than conventional music education topics such as theory, history, or instrument lessons.
The Music School also boasts a 'For Kids' section, offering fun and engaging playlists that introduce children to various music genres. Songs like 'Life Is a Highway' by Rascal Flatts, 'Try Everything' by Shakira, and 'U Can't Touch This' by MC Hammer are featured, ensuring a diverse and entertaining learning experience for younger students.
In addition to the educational content, the Music School features expertly curated editorial content, as stated by Tony Gervino, EVP & Editor-In-Chief of Programming and Editorial at TIDAL. This includes a 'Musicology' section that explores the use of famous instruments in music, as well as playlists inspired by unique genres and geographic locations.
Songs featured in the 'Musicology' section include classics like 'Dance The Night Away' by Van Halen, 'Back In Black' by AC/DC, and 'All I Do' by Stevie Wonder. The playlists in the Music School will be regularly refreshed and expanded.
Tony Gervino also emphasised the importance of music history in building a deeper appreciation and strengthening the connection between artists and fans. He stated that the foundational sounds highlighted in the playlists of the TIDAL Music School will continue to shape music for years to come.
Notably, the TIDAL Music School does not contain any advertisements, providing a distraction-free learning environment for its subscribers. The new learning hub expands TIDAL's existing 101 playlist series, offering a comprehensive and engaging musical education experience.
The TIDAL Music School is currently accessible to subscribers, offering a unique opportunity for music enthusiasts to delve into the world of live coding and electronic music creation.
- Users of the TIDAL Music School can learn to program musical notes, cycles, and sound samples in a coding environment, as part of the detailed curriculum centered around live coding music using TidalCycles.
- The Music School offers a 'For Kids' section, featuring fun and engaging playlists that introduce children to various music genres, such as 'Life Is a Highway' by Rascal Flatts, 'Try Everything' by Shakira, and 'U Can't Touch This' by MC Hammer.
- In addition to educational content, the Music School includes a 'Musicology' section that explores the use of famous instruments in music, including classics like 'Dance The Night Away' by Van Halen, 'Back In Black' by AC/DC, and 'All I Do' by Stevie Wonder.
- The TIDAL Music School does not contain any advertisements, providing a distraction-free learning environment for its subscribers, and expands TIDAL's existing 101 playlist series, offering a comprehensive and engaging musical education experience.
