TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- Do you think its good to listen to other genres of music?

Do you think its good to listen to other genres of music?

Lately all I've been listening to is trance and other related forms of EDM. I enjoy rock and metal but don't really listen to it much now that I'm producing.

Do you think its a good idea to keep your ears 'stimulated' by listening to other forms of music or do you think as a producer it shouldn't make any difference and you should listen to trance and EDM whenever you can?

If you're willing to limit yourself to that little dogma of being an edm producer, then by all means do, and only listen to trance or whatever you're trying to make.

My thoughts put simply are, that if you want to be a good artist, musical diversity can't be bad for you.

Though, getting into the mood of making something specific by listening to the type of music you want to make is obvious, imo.

There's not a person here that's going to tell you it's a good idea to listen to nothing but trance.

Listening to one genre non-stop would drive me bat-shit.

I don't listen to, nor do I create, one genre exclusively, but I also don't consider myself an "EDM producer" per se. I'm definitely in the jack-of-many-trades, master-of-none camp. That's not to say that it's the "right" way. There are advantages to be both a specialist and a generalist, but I personally think that, when it comes to the arts, you're better off having some diversity.

wow really

Re: Do you think its good to listen to other genres of music?

quote:

Originally posted by MeltdownZA Lately all I've been listening to is trance and other related forms of EDM. I enjoy rock and metal but don't really listen to it much now that I'm producing.

I'm guessing that when you say "lately", you're referring to the last few weeks or months??? I think maybe some people are misinterpreting this as "I plan on listening to nothing but trance for the rest of my life". Don't worry, it's just a phase - we all go through it when we discover something new that we really like. You'll be back to listening to your other favorites, as well as the music that you grew up listening to at some point.

No, it is not.

In fact I would go so far as to say that you should listen only to the specific sub-genre you intend to create. If you want to master the techniques particular to your intended style, listening to other sounds is kind of a waste, at least as far as developing your production skills is concerned.

quote:

Originally posted by Vector A In fact I would go so far as to say that you should listen only to the specific sub-genre you intend to create. If you want to master the techniques particular to your intended style, listening to other sounds is kind of a waste, at least as far as developing your production skills is concerned.

Those are kind of the lines I was thinking along..

Maybe I should re-phrase my question...

Do you think listening to other genres can in any way enhance the production of the music you make?

Hmm in the past 5 and half years I listened in the 99.99% of the time only trance, the rest of the 00.01% is F. Chopin. I admit I am a tranceaholic! I'll never get tired of something that is good.

quote:

Originally posted by MeltdownZA Do you think listening to other genres can in any way enhance the production of the music you make?

Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by JEO Yes.

+1. Focusing on one single sub-genre is going to leave you pretty pigeon-holed in terms of production skills. If your goal is to be a follower and simply try to recreate what others have already done, or if you are very new to production and just trying to figure out the basics by limiting your learning process to something that is manageable, that's fine, I suppose. But, if you want to push the envelope in any meaningful way, having a broader range of production skills will only help, not hinder, that ability.

quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik +1. Focusing on one single sub-genre is going to leave you pretty pigeon-holed in terms of production skills.

Makes sense. Lets take a simple example, if you listen to a lot of trance, then decide to listen to some good ol jungle music (no beat, just jungle wind instruments for instance), there's a good chance you can incorporate some of those influences into your music.

yes.

I guess it wouldn't hurt. I mean you are your influences, and if all you listen to is trance then you might make homogenous sounds, but it certainly isn't impossible to make something different.

most entertaining to me are the trance artists that dont actually listen to a lot of trance. take breakfast and eco for example, who both put out music that sounds nothing like anyone else because neither of them really follow dance music

food for thought i guess. im sure when they started out they listened to a lot of edm to get the basics down

yes but how much depends on where you are at.

If you are starting out and your short term goal is to be an ok EDM producer in one year, then I would limit yourself to the particular genre you are interested in. This is the non artistic part of being influenced.

Now lets say you were a competent producer and you were more interested in growing as a composer, then yes, it is absolutely essential you listen to other forms of music.

Every single musical advancement was from people taking things from other genres , places or purposes and using them in a different context. LIstening to your genre is only good in knowing the competition which is pretty important in itself.

As you start to listen to more music, there can be a problem with over exposure. IF you listen to too much and too different, you will have a hard time retaining what you found cool which is why you do it. So branch out slowly and methodically.

So , this sort of listening should be an active process and part of your training. To give you an example, I have 1 hour day of dedicated listening. Each week rotates genres. I take notes, I make a point to note the things I like, the things I don't like. I research the musicians, the producers, the engineers. I analyze the harmony, I play it on the guitar, bass drums, piano violin.

If you want to be unique, you need to find things that appeal to you but that haven't been done before. THis way , you aren't a generic robot, you are developping a style because you are taking things you like from other genres. And don't listen to just things you think you would like. Alot of music, I can't fucking stand but there are elements that are cool so I steel those elements. For example, a track can have amazing sound design but be an awful track. You just take what you like. Don't judge the track. Just listen, and think, what is there in this music that I can steal.

And i find people restrict this exploration to non EDM. It is also important to explore genres in EDM you think you hate. Hardstyle for example. I can't stand it, but there are some cool tracks with cool things to take. You don't have to like the genre. But i would rather know than be ignorant.

It really is an essential part of being a composer. I've decided to use that term to encompass anyone that makes music. Producer to me does not take into account the music al aspect so don't associate it with classical music.

You might find this funny but alot of the big producers / composers are very aware of things you just wouldn't think. I know a composer in his 60s , does concert classical music and a little bit of music for media but he listens to everything. I remember a few months ago , I came to his house as I teach his kids piano and violin and he was playing nero and skrillex.

There is no harm in listening to bad music. But there is a huge disadvantage not knowing about something that you really might like.

So yes, I actually think this point was not stated as strong as it should be. YES. It is essential.

quote:

Originally posted by Looney4Clooney ...

Outstanding post.

Something that has helped me is making music of other genres instead of listening to it. I tried to do 80s style music with gated snares and everything, and I gained so much from it.

Listen to a lot of the genre you intend working in currently, but for sure take time out to listen to other influences and also watch films and documentaries as these can be a great inspiration catalyist.

Uplifting trance in particular to me seems very cookie cutter just now, with most rolling bases all sounding far too familiar which is akin to remaking The Empire Strikes Back again and again with few alterations = pointless. I am told such trance will inevitably have this oh so familiar middy saw tooth rolling bass - bullcrap - think for yourselves and cut a new path.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.