What is music production?
Simply put, music producers are the individuals responsible for overseeing each aspect of a band’s sound and performance and making sure that it surpasses expectation. Music production means making sure that a band’s recordings sound good, are perfectly mixed, and have the right vocal arrangement. If a song sounds good, a music producer has done his job. If it’s a flop — well, the music producer likely will be out of work.
What skills are required to pursue a career in music production?
There are multiple facets to being a successful music producer. Because the job is entirely about how music sounds outside the studio, it is generally preferred that anyone pursuing a career in music production has experience playing instruments and making music of their own. That’s because even the act of simply playing an instrument teaches potential music producers many things about pitch, tone, harmony, and other things which are essential to identifying what works — and what doesn’t — in a particular song.
They’ll also need a solid background in things like musical history and genres. It is often said that those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, and for this reason music producers must know what worked in the past, as well as what did not. They must be able to identify many different music genres and work among each diverse sound and demographic.
Finally, above and beyond historical knowledge and performance experience, those interested in a career in music production must have a finely tuned ear that can pick out the good as well as the bad. Even those with broad performance experience and a deep knowledge of musical history and genres may lack the special ear it takes to pick apart a song’s various parts and deconstruct them.
What education is required for a music production career?
There is no specific educational path for people pursuing these entertainment industry jobs, although universities are increasingly adding courses in music production and entertainment management. The industry is burgeoning, however, and Hollywood is always looking for people who can hear real talent and make it a hit.
Those pursuing a career in music production should enroll at a four-year college or university and pursue music education classes — historical knowledge, musical genres, tones and harmonies — and compliment that pursuit with a minor in business administration or management. Because music production involves managing one or many artists, as well as their projects, knowledge of management techniques is essential.
Aspiring music producers should also investigate extracurricular music performance options at their university of choice. Many larger universities have marching bands, symphonies, choral groups and musical ensembles that will help the aspiring music producer develop a discerning ear for all that is right — and wrong — with music.
What is the landscape like for jobseekers in musical production?
The entertainment industry has recently recovered from the depths of its online piracy lows, and careers in musical production are popping up on both the east and west coasts. Many production companies take on their producers in a full-time capacity, and usually under contract. That means an entry-level music producer can expect not only a decent salary, but an excellent sign-on bonus that encourages them to stay exclusively with one company that will nurture their career growth.
However, the proliferation of increasingly advanced home production technologies has led many music producers to strike out on their own. While some producers choose to freelance for any artist who will hire their talents, others have been starting their very own music production businesses that are independent of the major record labels.
The increasingly entrepreneurial aspect of the music production business only enhances the need for a strong business administration or management education from a university, in addition to a strong music education.
What about career advancement and working for headlining acts?
Music production as a business heavily relies on two things: reputation and network. Advancement in music production isn’t like a typical office job where loyalty is rewarded and more years of experience virtually guarantees higher salaries and better titles.
As a music producer, you must be able to meet with many artists, form friendships, and be able to tap those resources when you need them the most. The occupation is very social, and artists as a whole are more comfortable working with people they know and find to be good friends in addition to good producers. Those who are looking to make it into the profession’s big leagues will often find themselves at parties, on the music scene, and at concerts, introducing themselves and their work.
Of course, success is rewarded. Major labels will elevate their most successful music producers and reward them with higher salaries, more notable clientele, and more publicity. But record label jobs are a small part of an industry that relies on advancement via raw talent and the ability to shake hands and talk about song.