5 Reasons to Learn an Instrument as a Music Producer

As a modern-day Music Producer, you have to be able to wear different hats to accomplish successful
production. You need to know how to record audio, program MIDI, mix, release and sometimes manage the music you make. One of the most important things about the job is being able to understand how the musician thinks, so you can help them to achieve their best work throughout the production process. One of the best ways for this to work is if you’re a musician yourself. Check out our 5 Reasons to Learn an Instrument as a Music Producer:

1. Patience is a Virtue

Learning an instrument can be frustrating at times. As with anything in life, it’s a learning curve. It can feel frustrating initially because everything is new, but each improvement you make is a considerable step closer to achieving your goal.

Learning a new instrument can test your patience, as it takes plenty of time and practice to get it right, but once you get a grip on it, you’ll be able to evolve quickly. As a producer, going through this process and developing patience helps you understand how the artist might feel while recording a song with you. Learning an instrument as a producer allows you to see and understand your artist’s struggles or concerns during the production process. Classic FM also touches upon this in their own listicle titled ‘10 reasons you should take up a musical instrument.’

2. Develop Common Language

For any musician, it is paramount to speak a common language. This way, they can communicate, write together, exchange ideas, and connect with the music on a higher level. As a producer, you want to be involved in the recording process, the songwriting, arranging, and so on. It’s important you can connect with the artist and the creative process of creating the song. Awareness of the correct terminology can also help erase language and communication barriers. Learning an instrument, even the basics, can help you get closer to the talent in any scenario. It’s all about leading you to the next point and being the best Music Producer you can be.

3. Gain Trust

For a musician, knowing there is somebody they can talk to on the other side of the glass and follow what is happening in the songwriting process can help to create a reliable bond and sense of trust between them and their producers. Playing a musical instrument as a producer can help you gain trust from your talent, as the artists are bound to feel more relaxed and enjoy the recording process if they know that you’re on the same wavelength.

4. INCREASE YOUR Value 

Think big! Knowing how to play an instrument adds more value when discussing the music business.
You can bring ideas to the table to improve the production and elevate the song. Sometimes, you might even end up participating in the recording process.

Learning to play an instrument as a Music Producer can also provide you with different sources of income for a wide range of clients. It gives you an advantage over other music producers who might not yield this skill.

5. Improve Your Well-Being

It is always possible to start learning an instrument. No matter your age, whether you’re still at school, working or retired. It’s all about being willing to learn something new. Aside from its benefits as a music producer, it can also influence physiological processes that enhance physical and mental well-being. Learning to play an instrument helps to release stress, improve sociability and, most importantly, make you happy. Nothing is better than leaving your mind and body flowing with the music and putting all the problems aside for a few minutes.

Playing an instrument is integral in helping our students become fully formed producers, engineers, and composers. Music theory, musicianship, or arranging are essential to our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering curriculum. If you have no musical background and still want to study with us, fear not. As part of our courses at Abbey Road Institute, we also offer the Music Theory Fundamentals for Producers, which helps develop your music knowledge further and confidently pursue your career in the music business.