What is Ableton Live?
It's your musical sketchpad, your creative exploration space, your recording studio, your songwriting system, and your live performance instrument.
Ableton Live actually does it all, and it's easier than its ever been to create music of your own.
With Ableton Live, musicians now have the ability to compose, produce, perform, and INVENT like never before.
This software is the most powerful multi-purpose musical tool ever made!
Courses
In person in Melbourne | group classes and private sessionsAll courses available in a 1:1 setting | Here in the studio, at your place, or online
Beginners Course
An 8-week short course designed to give you an immediate understanding of music production.
Get the confidence to create and finish your own tracks
Gain skills that usually take 2+ years of self directed learning to attain
Next Courses: Thursday November 12th, 2026
Location: The Snedlab, 36 Norfolk Court, Coburg North.
Private 1:1: Also available one-to-one
Intermediate Course
For students who know the basics but feel stuck turning loops, sketches and short ideas into fuller tracks.
Develop stronger arrangement, transitions, movement, sound selection and practical mix decisions.
This is the natural next step after the Beginners Course, or a good fit if you are self-taught and already comfortable with the basics.
Next Course: 2027 dates TBA
Location: The Snedlab, 36 Norfolk Court, Coburg North.
Private 1:1: Also available one-to-one
Advanced Course
Designed as a deeper follow-on for students who are ready to push their production skills further.
Explore more advanced Ableton workflows, sound design, mixing, performance systems and creative production processes.
This is a HARDCORE, INTENSIVE course for people who are actually planning on pushing Ableton Live to its limits.
Next Course: TBA - Runs on expressions of interest. Get in touch!
Location: The Snedlab, 36 Norfolk Court, Coburg North.
Private 1:1: Also available one-to-one
Coaching
1:1 Coaching / Training
Develop your skills, refine your vision, receive coaching and direction to support your work and creativity.
In-person or online private sessions available for beginners to advanced Ableton Live users.
Get individualised, tailored training on specific topics such as mixing, production, music theory and more. Or produce and mix your own music together in session with insightful coaching
All of the courses above (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced) are also available in a one-to-one format.
Location: Online or in person at The Snedlab Studio, Coburg North
Music Production Open Sessions
A free open studio day for producers where you can watch music being made in real time, ask questions, and learn from the decisions behind a working production session.
See practical production in action, including arrangement, sound selection, sound design, mixing and workflow, and reconnect with other SNED Music students.
Next Event: Sunday 18th October
Location: The Snedlab, 36 Norfolk Court, Coburg North.
Cost: Free, with registration required.
What previous students say
From being overwhelmed at the thought of Ableton and music production, to feeling confident in my abilities and excited for what the future of this creative path has to offer.
Thank you John for sharing you passion for music and years of experience in an easy to digest, engaging, fun and hilarious 8 week beginner course. As someone who has always struggled in the classroom and was quite overwhelmed by the thought of music production, you delivered the course in a way that kept me engaged and gave me the confidence to carve my own path navigating the beast that is Ableton.
JacobI have just completed the 8 week beginner course with John and highly recommend his classes. I really appreciate the follow up emails that gets sent out after each class with a recap + additional YouTube videos to watch (he picks really entertaining yet educational creators).
John has a very engaging persona in class and keeps the vibe very upbeat with his jokes and mannerisms!
ShuyenJohn's classes are engaging, practical, relaxed and fun.
The concepts and techniques he teaches gives you a basic understanding of the entire process involved in producing a track and he really draws out the inner creator in all of his students regardless of music making experience.
The way that John structured this course made learning Ableton super simple, tangible and FUN from the get go. Getting to create songs from the very first week and to continue working on music we had created each week, made it really fun and balanced out the learning new stuff component with a lot of creativity.
SheridanIf there was ever someone who can guide you quickly and efficiently through the space maze that is Ableton it's Sned.
I learnt a lot from his course and could trust his decades of experience.
DylanLEARN ABLETON LIVE WITH JOHN SNED
A personal note: Even after years of intensive formal music study, and a career path as a live musician, Ableton Live brought about a full blown creative transformation in my own journey as an artist and musician.
It's the greatest, most versatile musical tool ever created - and I am honoured to pass this knowledge on to others who are wanting to create.
During my time at university, I delved into the art of Jazz performance, earning a Bachelor of Music degree with a focus on electric/double bass. My musical journey spans across various instruments including guitar, bass guitar, double bass, and electronic music production using Ableton Live. For the past 15 years, I've had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge with students of all ages, catering to diverse musical interests. My teaching approach fosters a fun, supportive and enjoyable learning environment, ensuring tangible progress every step of the way.
Be sure to check out my music and videos for examples of what's possible and the knowledge you can tap into during our learning journeys.
With consistent practice and dedication to our lessons, you'll witness remarkable improvements in your musical abilities.
WHY ABLETON LIVE
There is a lot of Music Production software out there. So, why choose Ableton Live?
Where previously we were instrumentalists or songwriters, we now have the tools and freedom to become sound designers, engineers of entirely new instruments, unique live performers, and truly use our creativity to re-imagine how we make music. It's all right here at our fingertips, and absolutely anything is possible.
