mumok Sound Lab: School Workshop

Discover two exciting music workshops where digital tools, pop culture, and creativity come together to empower students through sound.

Students gain hands-on insight into the creative process behind a contemporary artwork. No prior experience is required—we provide full support as they work independently with a digital tool. Along the way, they learn how essential active listening is to composing their own song.

The workshop connects directly to works from our collection featured in the exhibition Never Final!, many of which tell powerful stories rooted in pop culture.

Remake the Beat: How to Create a Remix

A remix builds on the art of sampling and is one of the most powerful forms of expression in today’s radio and pop music. Through creative reinterpretation of existing sounds, something entirely new emerges—often triggering memories in the process.

In this session of the mumok sound lab, you’ll learn how to deconstruct existing melodies, rearrange their elements, and reassemble them into your own version.
To get you started, we’ll provide five different melodies—including all their component parts—that you can freely alter and reinterpret as you like. Whether you add a new instrument, reverse the melody, or stretch everything into slow motion—anything goes.

You’ll sharpen your sense of arrangement and learn to work independently with a creative digital tool.
Remixing shows us: in the world of art, nothing has to start from scratch.

Beat Anatomy: Drums & 808s

Radio hits live off rhythm—and that’s exactly where this session begins.

Together, we dive into the world of drums, basslines, and 808s, and learn how these sounds shape the heartbeat of a track. We start by exploring the five pillars of modern drum kits. What are they called—and more importantly, what do they sound like?

With the support of your workshop leaders, you’ll then create your own drum loop: punchy, driving, and full of character. Along the way, you’ll practice active listening and gain insight into the creative process behind a contemporary artwork.

Since we’re focusing on the foundation of a track—not on any single genre—this session is open to all musical styles.

In the final phase, you’ll add a melodic sample to your track and carefully match its pitch and tempo (BPM) to your rhythm—step by step, live on your laptop.

How It Works

• mumok provides laptops and headphones so students can get started right away.
• We work with FL Studio (Fruity Loops).
• Step-by-step guidance is provided by experienced musicians and/or art educators.
• We use royalty-free / Creative Commons samples, so students can begin creating without any legal concerns.

General Information

• Suitable for lower secondary (age 12+), middle school (age 12+), and upper secondary students
• Cost: €6 per student / accompanying teachers participate free of charge
• Each school class must be accompanied by at least two teachers

Questions?
Feel free to contact us at: kunstvermittlung@mumok.at