To become a music producer, should I major or minor in music?
I would like to become a music producer but I do not know how to go about what to do when it comes to a college . Would I major in music or make it as a minor? #music #college-majors #artist
3 answers
Michael’s Answer
I personally know many DJ's/ Producers/ Artists and the ones who went and did a Music major certainly produce better music. Going to school and learning about it gives you a better understanding and appreciation of how to create music. A school will also probably give you better access to equipment and knowledge than you will be able to get by yourself.
Sarah’s Answer
If you are looking to become a producer you probably want to major in Music and go to a music school. And to get more specific, you would want to be an MP&E (Music Production & Engineering) Major or Professional Music Major.
This would give you the most knowledge and teaching for what you're looking to do.
Daniel Cantor
Daniel’s Answer
Depends what you mean by music producer and what you want to do. Its a title that means everything and nothing these day. The hats include writing, playing, arranging, editing, home studio ownership, big studio renting, hiring, knowing organizing and guiding musicians to the part in a song or whole album. Some are very hands on and must be players or studio tech knowledgable and some are exceedingly good with people. Its not a job you call yourself. Its one people intrust you with because your talents and experience are needed. Beat makers and dj's don't become producers over night in the old school sense. If they are guiding a project from start to finish like danger mouse or dj premier or j. Dilla then yes they are. If they just make some 4 bar loops and hope some one will use them they are beat makers and starting out.
To be a producer... Learn song forms, arranging, and how great songs are built. Learn enough engineering to be able to record a whole band in a few genres. Learn how to budget a project appropriately for a handful of local college bands making their first records on a shoe string. Expect no money for years. Till your work yields results that earns your clients a higher level of pay than they would have with out you. You need to improve their records dramatically and then you will have a career, especially if they enjoy the process and respect you at the end of each project. It took me years to cover all those demands and until artists or companies asked me to move from the role of player or engineer to be the music producer it would have not made sense. It was 5-10 years into my record making experience of full time work. I know engineers who run screaming from the title. Too much responsibility, politics w in bands or even one artists head, then also outwardly to the world. You maybe setting the direction of an artists work for a few years. That's a very important and delicate job.