In this page, I will be answering general questions that lot of people ask when it comes to making music in today's industry.
You see, you don't have to be a great "musician" to be a good "producer".
You don't have to be able to read music and you don't need a degree in audio engineering or music theory
(Although they are very important, and they can be a crucial step that you to take your music to the next level if you're serious)
You DO need to know a few principles and techniques that are only common knowledge among the guys who are consistently on the radio.
Trust me; the difference between you and those guys who make millions is not musical talent.
YOU MUST BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR SKIN
For those that are new to making music can't really relate to this but what I am about to tell you is very important in developing your craft.
As a producer, it's easy to get distracted. The latest hot single comes out and you find yourself saying "I want to make a beat like that!" Or you might find yourself thinking "Maybe I should change the way I make beats because that song sounds better than anything I've done."
As tempting as it is to always be switching up your style, it can really be counter‐productive in terms of what it does for your ability to really advance in the industry. The fact of the matter is, there aren't many top‐notch, big time producers who make several different types of music.
For example, if you take a producer like Dr.Dre and listen to 10 of his beats, you're going to hear a lot of similarities across all of them. He has developed what people call "his sound."
You'll hear elements in each beat, that let you know it is a "Dre's beat.". Rhythmic piano hits and heavy snare drums, the strings, or the kick pattern. It could just be the way the percussion is sequenced, or the synth pattern.
Good producers find "their sound," and then they stick to it. They're not easily swayed or distracted by other styles.
They certainly appreciate other styles and may incorporate one or two elements of other styles into their beats; however, they're not constantly changing their identity.
Figuring out "your sound" is really a fun and exciting part of becoming a producer.
I can’t tell you what your sound is; however, my advice would be to think about this in three steps! They are:
First, what do you listen to the most?
Second, what do you listen to just a little bit less than what you listen to the most?
Finally, what are some genres or styles of music that you admire from a distance and perhaps occasionally listen to?
Now, take several elements of what you listen to the most, a few more from a secondary style or genre of music, and then one or two elements of a style that you admire from a distance, and begin melding them together.
Always remember to have FUN with it, music production should never be a "chore". When you being to really start enjoying making music, you will be surprised where your music takes you.
