Looking back on my music career, it’s been a long one so far. Over 10 years in the industry. I’ve done everything from working with artists, releasing instrumental albums, to working with big corporate music tech companies.
Along this journey I have learned a lot about the industry. I have also seen a lot of changes. These are 5 key lessons I learned that are extremely useful for todays crazy music space.
1. Stop Rushing The Creative Process
In today’s world it’s so easy to fall into the trap of rushing. We live in a fast paced world. Constantly we’re being slammed with distractions.
As a result, almost every industry (especially music) has adopted this process of quantity over quality.
Everyone want’s to spam and drop multiple tracks, multiple products, multiple pieces of content constantly. And, it’s not our fault. With social media, vast access to resources, everyone expects more for less.
But the truth is, in a world full of quantity, quality is what really sticks out. Quality is what lasts a lifetime.
Making one quality track can change your life quickly vs burning yourself out to push more and more half baked projects.
I got into this habit early on of rushing music and trying to keep up with the demand of quantity. I remember my first time being in a big studio in LA. I had the opportunity to work with a big artists. Before the artists even showed up his manager first came in.
He first said “send me 20-30 beats I can go through for the artists”. I was with a few other producers and they all sent these large batches of beats. The manager then hooked up to the speakers and skimmed through all the beats. Only listening to the first 3-10 seconds before skipping.
What I noticed is the beat he chose from my batch was a beat I took time to make. A beat I made when I was highly inspired and creative. That was one of the very few beats that actually made it to the artists out of hundreds sent.
This goes to show you, taking time, getting inspired, and creative from a place of inspiration vs a place of speed with get your further towards your goals then rushing.
2. Nobody actually cares how you made your beat
There’s been an on going debate amongst producers for years. Half producers say using samples is cheating. Other half says it’s not.
Truth is nobody actually cares. The artists dose not care if your beat is just a bunch of loops glued together. Your friend dose not care what you used to make the beat there impressed by.
All that matters is you make good music. Music people can connect with. That’s it.
So, if using samples helps you, do it. If using tools improves your music do it. At the end of the day the people who become your fans do not care how you made it. Period.
3. Your beats get attention, but your personality wins opportunities
One thing overlooked in making beats is producers get caught up in the mindset that having good beats is all that matters.
Truth is, if you want to work with artists, your beats aren’t the only thing that matter. Being someone who’s friendly and cool to be around is just as important.
Nobody want’s to link up with the guy who’s distant, cold, or acting to cool.
As a result, you should focus some of your time on improving your communication skills. Especially if you want to work with other artists or producers.
When it comes to producing for others its 80% communications 20% beats. The guy who networks and stays in touch with people will have more opportunities handed to them then the guy who just sits at home making beats all day.
4. Don’t fixate on the outcome
A lot of producers think of the outcome before they create. This kind of ties into the quantity over quality. Often times producers will sit there and say “if I make this type of beat I will get more views, money, etc”. But you can’t predict how people will react to things.
Instead you should create from a place of inspiration and creativity. Not from a place of outcomes. Because when you create with inspiration people usually can feel that and gravitate more towards it then something you made for the hopes of getting something transactional.
5. Your favorite producer used to “suck” and overthink too
Nobody starts out great. The producers you look up to once made beats that were rough, doubted themselves constantly, and overthought every move.
The difference is, they kept going. Skill comes from pushing through that messy stage and continuing to create even when it doesn’t feel good enough. Remember; what feels like “sucking” now is just the process of getting better.
Conclusion
After being in the industry for 10+ years these are key pieces of advice I wish I knew sooner. Making music is a creative process. It should be fun, exciting, and rewarding. These tips hopefully help you get to that place and avoid turning music into something dreadful.
