Lesson Plans // Workshops // Links
Resources
We believe that sharing knowledge and resources is key to helping more people discover music technology. On this page you’ll find a selection of free-to-use lesson plans, as well as a host of recommended tips, resources and media chosen by members of the YSWN community.
These lesson plans are free to download and we hope the materials will help to inspire workshops. If you have developed a workshop for YSWN and would like to share it with other groups, why not contact us so we can make it happen?
YSWN Recommends
A growing resource for the YSWN community where our members can share tips, favourites and inspiration. Music, tech, feminism and much more besides. Do you have a suggestion for this page? Get in touch.
Software
A digital audio workstation with particular emphasis on loops, live performance and collaboration. Ableton have given YSWN 40 free user licences so if you’re interested in getting started give us a shout (there are still a few available).
Software
A modular synth with a difference! Audulus have given YSWN free licences in the past so if you’re interested in getting beyond the basics give us a shout and we will see what they can do.
Group
Women in Music Information Retrieval Mentoring Program
Since it’s always good to meet someone else with shared interests.
Listening
Fantastic two-hour special from NTS radio featuring Jayne Cortez, Midori Takada, Melba Liston, June Tyson with Sun Ra, and of course Alice Coltrane.
Group
Sheffield Ableton Live User Group
Run by Emily J Electric. All welcome – we are an inclusive, friendly and informal group!
Misc.
Celebrating the eclecticism of women electronic artists. If you have music or a new release, let me know: @feminatronic.
Listening
A podcast about female musicians and their gear, presented by Jessica Sligter.
Listening
A podcast run by Elaine Sheldon and Sarah Ginsburg, two documentary makers. They started off interviewing fellow female/femme documentary makers, but very quickly branched out to include photographers, musicians, illustrators, writers, arts administrators… etc.
Link
Female Audio YouTubers You Need To Follow
Musician and producer LNA (Liina Turtonen) has compiled this list of inspiring audio women on YouTube - from DJing and production to modular synths and sound design.
Listening
Monthly online radio show. (Loosely) themed hour-long mixes with music from around the world and spoken word, field recordings, all sorts!
Listening
Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman talk about pop culture, politics, periods, body positivity, sexuality, workplace behaviour… A fun podcast that’s like hanging out with your two friends and a bottle of wine.
Listening
Though not specifically about music, these informal but informative podcasts vary from gigs, chats and interviews. Information and insights ‘for all women’.
Book
By Louis Niebur. An in-depth and fascinating history of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and the women and men behind it. If you know about Delia Derbyshire, this is where to go next.
Software
The first virtual modular synth you can download for free. You can add free and paid for modules. Definitely the cheapest way to get into understanding what CV, VCO, LFO and VCA are all about.
Book
An Individual Note: of Music, Sound and Electronics
‘Individual’ is an apt way to describe this work by Daphne Oram. First published in the early 1970s, some years after she left the Radiophonic Workshop, it sets out her philosophy on music, art and the very nature of being itself.
Book
Cosey Fanni Tutti’s autobiography, charting her journey from Hull hippy chick to “destroyer of civilisation” as part of pioneering electronic group Throbbing Gristle and beyond. Also a textbook in why relationships with narcissists are a bad idea, especially if they happen to be your bandmate.
Book
Kristin Hersh’s vividly written memoir of fronting Throwing Muses as a teenager in the mid-80s. It’s about gigs, friends, pregnancy, mental illness and putting yourself back together, but most of all it’s about creativity, and her love/hate relationship with music.
Software
Since it can sometimes be extremely helpful to visualise what you’re listening to.
Recommendations from Amy Beeston, Abi Bliss, Peyee Chen, Liz Dobson, Emily Johnson, Jo Kennedy, Cherry Styles and more.
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