I am a complete music noob ( in terms of creating including instruments ).

I have had Reason 3 for a little over a year, and reason 4 for a few days. I really want to learn this program, but I can't get past the steep learning curve. I don't really have a problem with understanding how the program works, thats rather easy to learn. I know how to add effects, sequence, combine, wiring, etc. All of the basics you get from trial and error.

Buuuut, when I actually try to make music I can't make a single thing that sounds decent.

I will pick the program up, play for a few days, get frustrated - quit. Repeat x infinitum.

My question is, are there any resources for complete and utter newbs? Should I pick up an instrument or learn musical theory? Books? Lessons? Anything.. I just need a push in the right direction or some assistance.

edit: I have tried to read the instruction manual (before anybody mentions that), I can tell it would be a good resource, if i could understand half of the stuff they are saying (Dual band eq Polyphonic Synthesizer what?)

Learn musical theory, dictation, play the guitar, stuff like that. And just stick with reason, eventually you get to come to terms with all the jargon.

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http://www.musictheory.net

Start there, it has helped me SO much. I come from NO formal training background and in roughly a decade I can say I am very pleased with where I am today. Learning the notes, some scales, and some chords at the very least will help A LOT.

Totally agree with Titan, when I first start if someone told me "Yeah this passage is played using a staccato technique on the cello" I'd be all like "Dahhhhh Cello?", nevermind whatever the hell the playing technique meant. You'll become more accustomed to the terminology

Best of luck!! And feel free to ask questions

Personally I've been playing instruments all my life, starting from the recorder, to a clarinet, then a trumpet, then the french horn, then Guitar, Bass guitar, Drums, and a little piano...
The coolest thing i think about producing is the fact that its so easy to play any instrument you can dream of using the universal layout of a Keyboard.

The first thing i would do, is like everyone else said, Just read up a little bit on music theory and maybe a little history..
If you want to get right into making music, you will need to learn scales...
Once you know a few scales, you will get a feel for which keys sound good played together or one after another... and after a good bit of practice, it will come natural...
Try to listen to some industry songs by some of your favorite artists and see if you can find the same notes they use by just messing around on the keyboard for a bit.. And see if you can't teach yourself how to play someone elses songs...
This helped me a lot when i was learning to play guitar, and again when i started learning keyboard. Since most (not all lol) popular artists already have a good knowledge of how music is orchestrated, once you learn how to play one of their songs, take those same keys, re-arrange them, choose a new instrument or sound you think sounds appealing, maybe change the tempo, or even the octave your playing on, and try to make your own loop using the same keys... which should already be within a scale that sounds good.
Repetition is the key in learning music... Just keep practicing and you will get it if you have the drive...

Whats been said so far is right on. Some people, like my roommate, can just compose on the computer by ear with very little to know knowledge of music theory. Most of us aren't that lucky, read up on your theory, practice your scales, drill that sh!t into your head. If you don't have a main instrument yet, choose the one you like the most, if you don't know which one you like the most; go for the keyboard. Like Symbolik said, it has a "universal layout". If you start learning theory and keyboard at the same time, each will help out a lot with the other. When I started going to music school as a guitar player and recording engineer I had a lot of problems learning theory while visualizing a guitar neck, but once I started on piano it started coming a lot quicker. The most important thing: don't be afraid, even if you know nothing, keep noodling around. Don't let your lack of knowledge or confidence in music keep you from CREATING. Like I said, my roommate doesn't know very much at all, but he has confidence and something of an ear -and he makes great tracks.

hello

I am tablesalt's roomate. And when I started using reason, I had no knowledge of even basic musical theory. Over the past couple of years I've done my best to learn what I can and I'm taking classes now, so things are getting even better... BUT that being said, you can do it without classes I think. When I say you can do IT, I mean make good electronic music.

I'm sure you already do, but just listen to a TON of music. Pick apart the instruments in the songs and think about how they work together to compose the song as a full piece.

As far as reason as a program is concerned, I'd tell you to work with the redrums all the time. AT first I just used DR REx loops and my stuff did not sound all that unique. I was afraid to us the Drum Computer because I'd never been a drummer or worked with drum patterns before. But just like with ANYTHING, where there is a will there is a way.

You just got to love making music and do it all the fucking time. full stop

good luck I love REASON and especially 4.0

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www.myspace.com/spencerneale

I think you read the books and manual about this device and try to play if it is not possible means manual problem in your music device so go to the shopkeeper and tell the problem about you music device.

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electronic drum kit

Excellent answer!

Just have patience and do some thorough research on Music Theory as the other guys have mentioned, if you are determined it will all fall in to place eventually, just stay focused.

Also keep experimenting with sounds A LOT as i found this helped me really grasp what works with what and where certain sounds should be ect.

What style of music are you aiming for?