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Becoming Better
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| marc2001dj |
For an aspiring producer what is the best way to follow the dream and make a decent living from it?
Reading through the forums the general consesus seems to become brilliant, network and then promote. Well I wouldnt't say I'm even good yet, let alone brilliant but I have the passion and desire to do well.
Little bit about me, I'm 25 and I've been in my current profession for 3 years. I have a decent amount of experience for entry level jobs but zero qualifications. I've got my head screwed on but let's just say that wasn't always the case.
Option 1: Goto uni and do music technology.
Option 2: Goto uni and do a degree unrelated to music but will give me a better chance at getting a job. This is basically a plan B for if my music never takes off.
Option 3: Stay in my current job and continue practicing to produce and play piano in my spare time. |
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| JEO |
| quote: | Originally posted by marc2001dj
to follow the dream and make a decent living from it
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No.
| quote: | Originally posted by marc2001dj
Option 2: Goto uni and do a degree unrelated to music but will give me a better chance at getting a job. This is basically a plan B for if my music never takes off.
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Yes. |
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| Storyteller |
Go for option 2 or three. Anyone that is doing anything relevant has over 10 years of experience already.
Music is not something you get in easily it takes long hrs of hard work and dedication. I like to believe i'm quite a decent producer myself, but it already took me about 17 years to be where I'm at right now. Yet it is still insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Many would say they can do better, and that is quite likely. However, university is an easier and more secure investment of time. Music should be your plan B in case it does take off.
If you for any reason want to persue a music career I'd suggest to start bulding your network and fans right now, even if you're not great. By the time you are better you will already have a network to make use of instead of having to start from scratch at that time.
Also, check out this topic. It shows you how much a slightly above average track makes. If you can make such a track every day of the month you might be able to live off your music career. Of course, if you can do better than that... |
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| tehlord |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
Go for option 2 or three. Anyone that is doing anything relevant has over 10 years of experience already.
Music is not something you get in easily it takes long hrs of hard work and dedication. I like to believe i'm quite a decent producer myself, but it already took me about 17 years to be where I'm at right now. Yet it is still insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Many would say they can do better, and that is quite likely. However, university is an easier and more secure investment of time. Music should be your plan B in case it does take off.
If you for any reason want to persue a music career I'd suggest to start bulding your network and fans right now, even if you're not great. By the time you are better you will already have a network to make use of instead of having to start from scratch at that time.
Also, check out this topic. It shows you how much a slightly above average track makes. If you can make such a track every day of the month you might be able to live off your music career. Of course, if you can do better than that... |
Big +1 |
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| marc2001dj |
Thanks for the replies.
I once read a book which states that you have to dedicate 10,000 quality hours to be an expert at something. Obviously everyone is different and also it's hard to define quality hours but that's the formula I'm going to base this on.
My current life position is that I have alot of free time so I reckon I could get through 10,000 hours within 5 years. This doesn't put me off but actually fills me with excitment. What can be more fun than chasing your dream for the next 5 years?
The more I think about it and taking your replies into consideration I think I'm going to stay in my current job and keep trying to improve and most importantly enjoy what I'm doing.
Next step is to upload the tracks I've started on these last couple of months. This is the part that fills me with the most dread. |
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| tehlord |
| quote: | Originally posted by marc2001dj
Thanks for the replies.
I once read a book which states that you have to dedicate 10,000 quality hours to be an expert at something. Obviously everyone is different and also it's hard to define quality hours but that's the formula I'm going to base this on.
My current life position is that I have alot of free time so I reckon I could get through 10,000 hours within 5 years. This doesn't put me off but actually fills me with excitment. What can be more fun than chasing your dream for the next 5 years?
The more I think about it and taking your replies into consideration I think I'm going to stay in my current job and keep trying to improve and most importantly enjoy what I'm doing.
Next step is to upload the tracks I've started on these last couple of months. This is the part that fills me with the most dread. |
Well it sounds like you're realistic at least.
Also, consider the end of the 5 year mark as the point where you'll probably start to become good at what you do, not the final destination.
Don't worry about uploading stuff either, it'll get slated so just accept that.
One word of advice, don't upload 60 second snippets of ideas that aren't really tracks and ask for feedback. Be strict with yourself and finish tracks no matter how bad they are. You'll learn at a much faster rate doing it that way.
Aim to make at least a track a week. It's constant practice that get you where you'll need to be.
Oh, and sort your monitoring out as soon as possible. It's the only 'gear' you can invest in that'll make an immediate difference. |
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| marc2001dj |
| quote: | Originally posted by tehlord
Well it sounds like you're realistic at least.
Also, consider the end of the 5 year mark as the point where you'll probably start to become good at what you do, not the final destination.
Don't worry about uploading stuff either, it'll get slated so just accept that.
One word of advice, don't upload 60 second snippets of ideas that aren't really tracks and ask for feedback. Be strict with yourself and finish tracks no matter how bad they are. You'll learn at a much faster rate doing it that way.
Aim to make at least a track a week. It's constant practice that get you where you'll need to be.
Oh, and sort your monitoring out as soon as possible. It's the only 'gear' you can invest in that'll make an immediate difference. |
This is hugely relevant because I've started numerous tracks and not got close to finishing one of them. Time to start polishing them off.
Time to save for a pair of KRK Rockit's, finish one crappy piece music a week and prepare to get terrorised when I upload it on here. :D |
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| Juan Paulino |
| quote: | Originally posted by marc2001dj
Time to save for a pair of KRK Rockit's |
No, don't save for that. If you could only afford average level monitors, go for Yamahas. |
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| marc2001dj |
| quote: | Originally posted by Juan Paulino
No, don't save for that. If you could only afford average level monitors, go for Yamahas. |
Why is that mate? I'm also looking for below average level monitors, my budget is quite low and I'm having to build my modest studio piece by piece. |
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| tehlord |
KRK Rokits are rubbish.
Good budget options are
JBL LSR2325p
Behringer Truth B3030a
Yamaha HS80
If you can't afford a decent pair of monitors yet just keep saving for a little while longer, or get some decent monitoring headphones until you can. |
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| wayfinder |
| Or get some used Genelecs. |
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| Richard Butler |
| quote: | Originally posted by marc2001dj
I once read a book which states that you have to dedicate 10,000 quality hours to be an expert
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Yes that's a 20 year American study into what makes good people, great, but imo a little simplistic.
For example there is no way I could ever be one of those truly gifted dancers, or a top 100m sprinter - sure I'm athletic and love sport but I just don't have the starting gifts for those 2.
So I think I've concluded you need a degree of natural attributes + 10,000 hours + right place right time / access |
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