itsGratuiTous.com is run by GratuiTous (Riley Weller), a Recognized FL Studio Trainer who’s been teaching beatmaking since 2011. This page shares a quick history of how it all started, then everything the website offers you.
Fun Facts about GratuiTous:
- Operates a Dedicated FL Studio Training Platform
- Hosts the Music Production Made Simple podcast
- Authors FL Studio Books
- Worked with a GRAMMY-Nominated Artist
How GratuiTous (Riley Weller) Started Making Beats
I came into music with very little knowledge.. at a young age I took piano lessons for a couple of years, then quit because reading sheet music was SO BORING to me!
After high school a friend showed me FL Studio around 2009, and on a second visit to his house I grabbed the trial version for myself. About 3 months later I took the leap and purchased FL Studio..
Every night I practiced beatmaking after my electrician job, and I became extremely passionate about it.
So in 2011 I quit that electrician job to teach beatmaking full time on my first website, Beatstruggles.com!
Here’s the problem.. it didn’t earn enough to live on.
So I headed back to the trade and finished my Electrician Ticket, knowing all along that teaching FL Studio was my true passion. That turned out to be a GREAT decision, because I kept building the education on the side with a steady paycheque behind me.
In 2018 I launched the dedicated beatmaker training platform.. the first time students could become members and watch all my FL Studio courses in one place.
It’s been rebuilt a few times since, always with the same goal: keep it lightweight, fast, and easy to navigate, while the course catalog keeps growing.
A Fun Fact About GratuiTous..
I was an electrician for 10 years in Canada! (Which is why the trade shows up in how I teach.. straight to the point, no fluff.)
What itsGratuiTous.com Offers You
In short, this website is a beatmaking school. Courses, a training platform to watch them in, a members area, a private questions area, a podcast, books, lessons, and a pile of free tools!
Here’s each one, and where to find it:
FL Studio Courses + the Training Platform
This is the main thing I do. The training platform holds every FL Studio course I’ve made, streaming instantly, tracking your progress as you go.
- 35 FL Studio Courses
- 93 Hours of Video Content
- 525 Video Lessons
- Private Questions Area
- Members-Only Area (Behind the Scenes)
- Course Pathways Curriculum
- Members get 30% OFF in Shop
One membership covers ALL of it. Pay once, or pay it off over time.. either way it’s yours for life, and every future course lands in your account too.
Course Pathways (A College Curriculum for Beatmakers)
Now, a big course library is useless if you don’t know what to watch next.
That’s why I built COURSE PATHWAYS, which is like a college curriculum for beatmakers. It tells you exactly which course to watch next, Beginner to Advanced, so each one builds on the last.
(Remember, anyone can learn a music program, but not everyone can learn to make beats.. course pathways teaches how to make custom beats!)
A lot of students start with my FL Studio Beginner’s Bundle, then work the pathways from there. Follow it for 3 months and you’ll see great results!
The Members Area (Behind the Scenes)
Some topics are too small for a full course, but WAY too good to skip.
So they go in the members area instead.. behind-the-scenes videos and production tricks as I make them, sorted into Beatmaking, Mixing, Computers, and platform Updates.
The Questions Area (Ask Me Directly)
You’re not searching a comment section around here.
The private Questions Area is where members ask me about their beats or the courses, and I answer personally. You can also read every answer other members have already gotten (which is a goldmine on its own!)
Music Production Made Simple Podcast
My podcast keeps you up to date with the platform, plus straight FL Studio and beatmaking tips.
A podcast about FL Studio and Beatmaking hosted by GratuiTous (Riley Weller)
There’s been many seasons so far. Start on Season 1 for the best experience, or search Music Production Made Simple anywhere you listen to podcasts!
FL Studio Books
I’ve written a handful of FL Studio books over the years, for the students who learn better by reading than by watching.
Online FL Studio Lessons (1-on-1)
You can also book FL Studio Lessons with me directly. These are 1 hour video sessions over Zoom or Skype, where we talk over microphones and share screens to quickly get to the point.
Most students only need 1 or 2 lessons to be on their way. Bring whatever you’re stuck with, and you get straight to the point answers!
FREE Beatmaking Tools
There’s a whole pile of free stuff here too. Guides, templates, and training materials on my free page, plus an interactive Piano Chords & Scales tool you can use right in your browser.
Grabbing them puts you on my email list for free tools and training. (There will be marketing emails too, because the platform really is the best experience!)
The Blog (Free FL Studio Tips)
And the blog is free forever. Years of FL Studio tips, gear advice, and beatmaking answers, no account needed.
The Beatstruggles App (Coming!)
One more thing I’m working on behind the scenes.. a Beatstruggles app. No date to announce yet, but it’s coming!
Real Reviews, Great Results
Sometimes people need proof the training will actually help them..
First, listen to Music by GratuiTous to see I’m a producer first, educator second. I still make beats, so the trainings stay relevant.
Second, here’s student reviews from inside the platform. Students of all ages have joined (ages 15-50+!), and over 50,000 students have taken my FL Studio courses.
You may also be interested in member interviews I’ve had.
Make Money in Music Without Selling Beats
Making money in the music industry is tricky if you follow Jesus.
I used to sell beats (worked with a GRAMMY-Nominated Artist) but learned this was wrong regarding the Gospel.. because music teaching Jesus is in a different playing field..
In other words, it’s selling the word of God which should be free..
Learn more in this podcast episode.
Also, if you follow Jesus and sell beats to be used for music with profanity, this also doesn’t align with the Bible’s morals..
That’s why I just teach music production instead. It’s been amazing, and I’ve built awesome relationships with students.
Just be aware of your actions.. because “doing music” is everyone’s dream.. but money and fame aren’t what you think.
Build your career first, and keep music second, and you may find how it fits into your life for your benefit!
Recap: Riley Weller (GratuiTous) and itsGratuiTous.com
So there you have it! A kid who quit piano lessons, found FL Studio in 2009, spent 10 years as an electrician, and now teaches beatmaking full time.
Here’s every way I can help you, free and paid:
- Join Membership (Best Experience)
- Watch Course Pathways
- Members Area (Behind the Scenes)
- Questions Area (Ask Me Directly)
- Book a 1-on-1 FL Studio Lesson
- Join the Newsletter (Free Beatmaking Tools)
- Listen to MPMS Podcast
- Latest FL Studio Tips
- Subscribe to GratuiTous on YouTube
Still have questions for me? Contact me directly and I’ll get back to you personally!
Oh yeah.. if you’re brand new and not sure what to grab first, my Start Here page walks you through the order 🙂
Thanks for reading if you’ve made it this far! If my FL Studio videos and training have helped you over the years, I’d love to hear from you!
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
KJV – Matthew 24:24
