Before her track “Monarch” took off - used in over 26,000 reels and picked up by brands like MercedesBenz - and X Games - Magie Hue was like many aspiring music creators: passionate, overwhelmed, and figuring it all out with a MIDI controller she barely knew how to use.
Now a finger drumming powerhouse, producer, and live DJ, Magie shares her music and knowledge with thousands - thanks in some part to Melodics.
Here’s how Magie Hue transformed her bedroom practice into a touring career, with Melodics turning daily routines into real-world results.
Magie’s musical roots go all the way back to fourth grade, when she picked up the violin and joined her school’s orchestra. Encouraged by supportive teachers who made music fun, she developed a lifelong love for rhythm, sound, and musical storytelling.
Like many of us during the golden age of SoundCloud and YouTube, Magie found herself captivated by endless mixes and remixes. That world of gritty beats and experimental blends pushed her to try mixing and producing herself. After creating her first DJ mix and original track in 2018, she was hooked - and determined to keep growing.
Discovering finger drumming: A new kind of rhythm
In high school, Magie stumbled upon YouTube videos of producers chopping up samples on MPCs. The jazzy pianos, dusty boom bap drums, and seamless rhythm instantly drew her in. It felt like magic.
“In high school, I found YouTube videos of people sampling on the MPC. I was fascinated by how they combined jazzy piano lines and gritty hip hop drums so seamlessly”
Years later, with her first job and an Ableton Push in hand, she finally had the tools to try it for herself. But the experience wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Struggling to make her controller feel like an instrument, Magie discovered Melodics - and everything changed for her.
“Melodics was like a digital music teacher” she says. Learning songs she loved - broken into structured, graded lessons - made all the difference.
Melodics quietly played a key role in her progress, seamlessly fitting into her daily practice. With Melodics, practice became enjoyable and part of Magie’s daily routine, helping her build confidence over time.
Melodics is created by more than 50 real producers and working musicians, not just curriculum writers. Every lesson is grounded in musical reality, teaching you the rhythms, techniques and patterns you will actually use. It is learning designed by artists, for artists in the making.
Melodics’ interactive lessons, tailored to her skill level and musical taste, helped Magie progress step by step - just as they can for any learner. She especially loved the drum break lessons. By practising drum break routines, Magie tackled complex grooves and developed real muscle memory - skills she now uses in live sets and studio sessions.
“The drum break lessons were my favorite since they introduced more complex grooves as I advanced. Seeing the finger placements helped build muscle memory, which stuck with me over time.”
As Magie’s confidence grew, so did her skills in production and live performance. Whether she’s crafting a beat or preparing a DJ set, everything starts with intention. What vibe does she want to create?
For beat-making, she finds the right drum samples, builds loops, layers textures and transitions, and often starts with the hook. Her DJ sets follow a similar process - building crates around genres and curating a sound journey with both beloved tracks and new discoveries.
The muscle memory and rhythmic instinct built through finger drumming have become second nature, guiding how she places samples, structures songs, and performs live.
From doubts to discipline: Overcoming early struggles
At the beginning, it wasn’t talent holding her back - it was doubt. Like so many others, Magie had moments where things didn’t sound right and the urge to quit crept in.
But she learned to embrace the process. “Even 15 minutes a day adds up,” she says. “Creating the habit is the hardest part, but once you start small and build consistency, it becomes second nature”.
She also realised the power of community. Learning alongside friends, sharing ideas, and watching how others approached music opened her mind to new possibilities. As she puts it: “There’s so much you don’t learn in school. Community makes all the difference”.
Magie’s proudest moment? A finger drumming reel she casually posted using one of her beats - then still unnamed - caught fire.
That beat became “Monarch.”
The reel hit over 1 million views. The audio became a trending sound used in over 26,000 reels. Brands like Mercedes-Benz, Tommy Hilfiger, and the X Games featured it. Even legendary producers reached out to show support.
It was a full-circle moment for Magie - and a reminder of where consistent practice and creativity can take you.
Having come so far, we wanted to find out what Magie’s message would be to those just starting to learn finger drumming or get into music production. If you’re just getting started, here are some words of wisdom:
“Practicing a little every day makes a huge difference. Even 15 minutes a day adds up. Creating the habit is the hardest part, but once you start small and build consistency, it becomes second nature. Master one thing at a time, then build from there”
“Feeling intimidated is normal and the learning curve is part of it. I used to be afraid to ask for help or share what I was working on, but I’ve realized there’s a whole community of people who are willing to support and grow together.”
“The biggest challenge was pushing through moments when things didn’t sound good and not giving up. I had to learn patience and remind myself to trust the process. Even now, I still have tough days, but instead of getting overwhelmed, I focus on learning one new thing at a time and take breaks when I need to.”
Melodics is a music-learning app designed to help you get more out of your MIDI keyboard or pad controller. Are you looking to sharpen your finger drumming skills or creative touch on the MIDI keyboard?
Well, Melodics transforms your practice into play with interactive lessons, instant feedback, and structured learning paths that help you build lasting skills - one session at a time.
Plug in your device and explore everything from finger drumming grooves to chord progressions and scales. Melodics helps you tighten your timing, develop finger independence, and build muscle memory through short, focused lessons you can actually stick with.
Whether you're producing tracks in your bedroom, performing live, or just starting your musical journey, Melodics helps you sound better - faster. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistent progress, having fun and finding your groove.
Magie Hue made it happen - and with Melodics, so can you. Why not start your own journey today?
NEW LESSON DROP!
NEW LESSON DROP!
Doo Wop (That Thing)
As made famous by Lauryn Hill
Learn to play this and over 500 songs in Melodics
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