I've added a few links on to useful web pages. Firstly theres a really interesting radio show with Wyclef, he talks about his musical influences, background and approach to writing. Check this one out before Sat 17 as the show gets updated weekly.
A few of you were asking last week about accapella sites, I have posted links to 2 sites. If anyone knows of some others send me the links and I will add them to the list.
Next week is London Songwriters Week so its a chance for you to do even more learning at some one off seminars and workshops with some known writers and industry players. the link is below:
http://www.londonsongwritersweek.co.uk/home.html
See you all soon at The Studios
Ben.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Back II Basics Pt2: The Core Disciplines
Following on from the last entry I thought Id discuss the main areas of development that I consider the essential to the aspiring music (record) producer. Whilst I can't go into great depth here I will try to give routes into these topics. At the end of the day the purpose of this blog page is to tackle these over the coming months.
The Core Disciplines
i) MUSICIANSHIP - I place this at the top of my list because in my opinion having a grasp of the nuts and bolts of music gives you a solid foundation.By this I mean all that is to do with the choices you make relating to the notes and rhythms in your music. When asked what advice Chad Hugo (Neptunes) would give to upcoming producers he said
"I hope you all come to understand the route of music. If you understand the route, then you will know which way you will go"
Leading on from this he also said
"you must find out what kind of music was felt before in the history of music. If you study and understand the history, you will find a way to make music for the future."
Even a basic understanding of music theory will unlock many of the mysteries of the music you listen to. Learning to play an instrument is a powerful and essential skill to gain. Don't worry if you don't have any music training just take small steps.Music has evolved over thousands of years and up until very recently was always made on instruments. So even though great music can be made by the click of a mouse, this is not the way that music before us was made and it is this foundation which we are learning from and contributing to. This Leads nicely to my next area.
ii)TECHNICAL - This really covers all your choices that involve the methods and equipment you employ in the production process. To begin with it is a case of learning a piece of music software to create, record and mix your ideas in. Beyond the basic process it is a case of learning the correct way to record to achieve good results. Like the musicianship skill set; the technical covers a wide knowledge base and requires constant development. Again it is more about taking small steps gaining good results with a few techniques and then moving on then trying to learn everything all at once. Start by getting a basic over view by taking a project from idea to finished mix on CD then each time you go through the process add a new element so your first project might be:
Sequencing Midi
Recording a Vocal Track
Mix (Balance Level/Pan)
Burn CD
The next time it might be:
Sequencing Midi
Sampling Sounds and adding to Midi arrangement
Recording a Vocal Track
Mix (Balance Level/Pan + Reverb and other FX)
Burn CD
A more experienced producer may have a project path like this
Sequencing Midi
Sampling Sounds and adding to Midi arrangement
Recording Live instruments
Recording Backing Vocals
Recording Lead Vocals
Mix (Gate, Compression, EQ, Balance Level/Pan + Reverb and FX + Automation)
Mastering (Mix Bus Compression)
Burn CD
iii) LISTENING - This relates to both the above skill sets. There is a wider point to be made here and that is the more you listen to the more you can draw on when making your own music. You should be listening to a wide range of artists and genres. Focused listening will teach you about note choices and technical choices that you will need to make when producing music. When you find a track you like ask yourself what is it that appeals to your taste? What are the interesting qualities? For example:
Is it the arrangement?
Are there great notes choices?
Is the performance of the vocalist/musicians?
Is it the feel/groove/tempo?
Do you like the tone/colour?
Are there interesting sounds/treatments?
Does it remind you of any other songs you like?
Is it the message/lyrics?
iv) COMMUNICATION - This is the final and often overlooked aspect of music production. It is important that you have the capacity to work with others who often have poor communication or social skills. You may encounter egos or shyness. As a producer you have to explain and inspire great performances from different musicians, vocalists and even your technical team. You have to be able to explain technical points, musical points and sometimes business points to people who might not share the correct vocabulary or not be afraid to use everyday terms because you yourself don't have the specialist vocabulary of a particular process. It is very important to gain experience of working with different people in different studio environments.
Although this might seem like a daunting task and a tall order it is all very simple when taken in small steps. It should always be fun and every time you gain a new skill it will give a boost to your confidence in production because you will hear the results in your music.
Here is the link to the full interview with Chad from the Neptunes
http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=neptunes
The Core Disciplines
i) MUSICIANSHIP - I place this at the top of my list because in my opinion having a grasp of the nuts and bolts of music gives you a solid foundation.By this I mean all that is to do with the choices you make relating to the notes and rhythms in your music. When asked what advice Chad Hugo (Neptunes) would give to upcoming producers he said
"I hope you all come to understand the route of music. If you understand the route, then you will know which way you will go"
Leading on from this he also said
"you must find out what kind of music was felt before in the history of music. If you study and understand the history, you will find a way to make music for the future."
Even a basic understanding of music theory will unlock many of the mysteries of the music you listen to. Learning to play an instrument is a powerful and essential skill to gain. Don't worry if you don't have any music training just take small steps.Music has evolved over thousands of years and up until very recently was always made on instruments. So even though great music can be made by the click of a mouse, this is not the way that music before us was made and it is this foundation which we are learning from and contributing to. This Leads nicely to my next area.
ii)TECHNICAL - This really covers all your choices that involve the methods and equipment you employ in the production process. To begin with it is a case of learning a piece of music software to create, record and mix your ideas in. Beyond the basic process it is a case of learning the correct way to record to achieve good results. Like the musicianship skill set; the technical covers a wide knowledge base and requires constant development. Again it is more about taking small steps gaining good results with a few techniques and then moving on then trying to learn everything all at once. Start by getting a basic over view by taking a project from idea to finished mix on CD then each time you go through the process add a new element so your first project might be:
Sequencing Midi
Recording a Vocal Track
Mix (Balance Level/Pan)
Burn CD
The next time it might be:
Sequencing Midi
Sampling Sounds and adding to Midi arrangement
Recording a Vocal Track
Mix (Balance Level/Pan + Reverb and other FX)
Burn CD
A more experienced producer may have a project path like this
Sequencing Midi
Sampling Sounds and adding to Midi arrangement
Recording Live instruments
Recording Backing Vocals
Recording Lead Vocals
Mix (Gate, Compression, EQ, Balance Level/Pan + Reverb and FX + Automation)
Mastering (Mix Bus Compression)
Burn CD
iii) LISTENING - This relates to both the above skill sets. There is a wider point to be made here and that is the more you listen to the more you can draw on when making your own music. You should be listening to a wide range of artists and genres. Focused listening will teach you about note choices and technical choices that you will need to make when producing music. When you find a track you like ask yourself what is it that appeals to your taste? What are the interesting qualities? For example:
Is it the arrangement?
Are there great notes choices?
Is the performance of the vocalist/musicians?
Is it the feel/groove/tempo?
Do you like the tone/colour?
Are there interesting sounds/treatments?
Does it remind you of any other songs you like?
Is it the message/lyrics?
iv) COMMUNICATION - This is the final and often overlooked aspect of music production. It is important that you have the capacity to work with others who often have poor communication or social skills. You may encounter egos or shyness. As a producer you have to explain and inspire great performances from different musicians, vocalists and even your technical team. You have to be able to explain technical points, musical points and sometimes business points to people who might not share the correct vocabulary or not be afraid to use everyday terms because you yourself don't have the specialist vocabulary of a particular process. It is very important to gain experience of working with different people in different studio environments.
Although this might seem like a daunting task and a tall order it is all very simple when taken in small steps. It should always be fun and every time you gain a new skill it will give a boost to your confidence in production because you will hear the results in your music.
Here is the link to the full interview with Chad from the Neptunes
http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=neptunes
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