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Why Reading Can Make You A Better Music Producer
This ONE THING can help you make HUGE PROGRESS
Music Makers Handbook
June 03, 2024
Following up from the last post on some of my favorite reads, I wanted to give a deep dive on to why I think reading is so important. ESPECIALLY to Music Producers, Mixing Engineers, and General Creatives!
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers”
President Harry S. Truman said that reading can educate you, satisfy your curiosity, and help you build ideas that can inform the future. He recommended reading with intention, even if it's just “a few pages before bed or during your lunch break”.
While I tend to take a lot of Presidential sayings with a slight side-eye, this specific quote has stuck with me for years since the day I heard it. Not only has reading affected my life in a positive way, but I’ve seen the way reading has impacted TONS of other successful people for the better. I’ve seen non-readers become rabid for the activity of reading or lsitening to an audiobook and that shift led them to huge success and notoriety (Chris Williamson of the Modern Wisdom podcast and Ryan Holiday of The Daily Stoic and author of “The Obstacle is the Way” being big examples).
But how can this help in MUSIC?
Great Question.
I Have 5 ways that reading can help you grow as a musician and as a music producer/mixer as well as some suggestions:
1. History and Harmony
Having a basic understanding of the History of music itself, the theory in which it’s created, and how progression through the centuries shifted what we now listen to every day can help your overall approach to music creation. Between different instrumentation styles or maybe even orchestration and arrangement approaches you didn’t know existed, these lessons can guide you towards a deeper understanding of music itself. Explore classics like "Tonal Harmony" by Stefan Kostka and Dorothy Payne or "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine for timeless insights into the harmonic fabric of music.
2. Learning from the Legends
Biographies and interviews with legendary musicians and producers offer a treasure trove of invaluable lessons and inspiration directly from the lives of some of the greatest to ever be in the industry. From books like “The Storyteller” by Dave Grohl to "Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles" by Geoff Emerick. Stories like these provide a backstage pass to the creative minds that revolutionized the industry and can open your mind to new possibilities in music.
3. Understanding Your Craft at a Granular Level
Equip yourself with knowledge from books on music production, your roadmap to sonic mastery. Explore the nuances of sound design, the intricacies of mixing techniques, the secrets of mastering, and the essential tools of the trade. From "Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio" by Mike Senior to "The Mastering Engineer's Handbook" by Bobby Owsinski, these resources offer invaluable insights to refine your craft and unlock new sonically creative possibilities.
4. Tapping into Deeper Creativity
The word “Creativity” is a tricky one because it can be approached in many different ways. Learning how to not only approach your creativity, but also hone it like a tool ready for creation at a moments notice will be a massive weapon in your belt of regular, daily use. Look to books like “Processing Creativity” by Jesse Cannon, “Creative Quest” by Questlove, or “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin as guidebooks on how to better understand both yourself and your creative muscle.
5. The Business of Music and being a Freelancer
To say it simply, the music business is complicated. To say it even simpler BUSINESS is complicated. In order to not only have a lasting career, but thrive in the industry we need to approach the business of music and just that…a business. I’ve talked in previous newsletters about how at its core being a full time music producer or musician is at its core being an entrepreneur. Though that can sound daunting, there are tons of literature of those that have gone before us that we can learn from, both failures and successes. As a starting point, check out "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald S. Passman for an insider's guide to the industry, “Make Your Own Rules” by Andrew Huang for a look into what it’s like combining the worlds of Music Producer and Content Creator, and “Million Dollar Weekend” by Noah Kagen for insights in how to put together a business that makes money from the start and how to earn your first dollar!
Now it’s time to take ACTION:
I can understand if this is a lot to take in, but I am sold on the fact that the more you read the more you will succeed in life. You’ll gain more insights about yourself, your career, and you can save time by learning from others failures and setbacks instead of living through them yourself.
If you’d like a curated list as a place to start on your reading journey, reply to this email with your goals and your general situation and I will gladly help put together something for you! I can even direct you to how to get access to audiobooks and e-books for free!
Please reach out if you need it.
Keep on creating,
drû
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