Adam Redford

BUSINESS 1010-404
Phillip L. Nelson

Assessing a Career in Business

Beginning in adolescence, I have continually been fascinated with music and the effect

that it has on our mood and emotions. I have spent many years pursuing new ways to create and

share music with others and this passion has persisted into my adult years. Over the past few

years I came to the decision that I would like to produce music for a living and have started to

receive the education necessary to reach this goal. In this paper I will be discussing this

profession of choice. I will discuss the characteristics, career path, education requirements,

average salary, career outlook, pros and cons, and my future place in this profession. I will also

share a biography of someone that I have interviewed that works in this field.

Job Description

The job of a music producer is to write, arrange, produce and record different artists.

They often double as studio owners and sound engineers (Pryde, 2017). They are involved in

helping the artists they produce achieve the best possible sound and are required to have

extensive knowledge of audio recording techniques (Madness, 2014). A work day typically

begins with reviewing producer notes, prepping the recording studio, and checking gear

functionality. Their clients are the focus of their attention once they arrive. In addition to

attending to all the clients needs, they spend roughly 10-12 hours a day recording and mixing

music (Pryde, 2017). Most of this time they spend alone. There is a great deal of attending to

phone calls, emails, texts, social media, and accounting in this profession. Producers often spend
much of their time writing, as well as attending rehearsals, meetings, writing, sessions, and

concerts (Pryde, 2017). Communication skills are a must as you work closely with other artists.

You must have an appreciation for all styles and types of music. Most producers are proficient

musicians themselves and lend their expertise to production projects (Pryde, 2017).

Career Path

Susannah Felts at UAB Department of Music gives five things that you should know

before embarking in a music technology career (Felts, 2017). They are as follows:

1) Make your own music

2) Know the latest music programs and where they are offered
3) Get firsthand knowledge (schooling and internships)
4) Know the job market (research specific career paths)
5) Network, Network, Network (build strong relationships within music community)

Once you have done these steps, you can begin a few different ways. You can start with little

to non-paying position, such as an internship to build your reputation. You can also become a

local freelance producer on a per-project basis. Performing as a musician and learn from your

producers is a great way to commence. Also, working as a recording studio engineer much like

Nigel Godrich did for Radioheads 1994 EP My Iron Lung, which eventually earned him

producing duties on the Radioheads highly acclaimed 1997 release of Ok Computer (Heibutski,

2017). There is no definite length of time that it will take to achieve success, however it

generally takes between one to three years of hard work before one begins to book jobs regularly

(Prince, 2017).
 General Education Experience

School is not required for a career in music production but earning a four-year degree,

trade schooling, and certificates can be helpful (Prince, 2017). The most important aspect of

preparation for this career is work experience, either through work on your own or internships

and apprentices (Pryde, 2017). It is very important to stay on top of current software and trends

with technologies as they are constantly being changed and updated. Producer Jaron Luksa

recommends spending a great deal of time watching YouTube videos in your pajamas while

eating cereal to stay current on these changes (Pryde, 2017). You need to be organized, assertive,

artistic, a great communicator, thick-skinned, even-keeled, patient, and willing to adapt to

survive in this field (Pryde, 2017).

Average Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2012, the average salary of a music

producer is $55,340 a year ($26.60 per hour) with a typical range of $22,810 to $97,700 per year

(Pryde, 2017). Salary differentiation is based on the range of experience, location, type of music,

and popularity of the artist (Heibutski, 2017). The pay that can be expected will provide security

and stability for those that work hard and dedicate themselves (Prince, 2017). In my interview

with Jane Prince, a movie/music producer, she explained that her work is fulfilling and enjoyable

and that the pay has little to do with her job as she likes to use creativity to make a difference in

lives of others (Prince, 2017).

Career Outlook
 The music industry is a highly competitive environment where one must be prepared for

long hours, late nights, work that is time-consuming, and a scramble to get paid work (Pryde,

2017). As of 2015, jobs in production are expected to increase by 11% over the next decade

which will lead to the creation of 11,000 new jobs over the next 10 years (Bureau of Labor

Statistics, 2015). This increase is mostly related to the growth of technology and accessibility as

we can see with social media and the increases in exposure (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015).

In an interview with DJ Chuckie done by Jack Oughton, DJ Chuckie explained that the career

requires much patience and a strong belief in your work. He also advised that one must stick to

their own beliefs and ideals instead of seeking popularity, and to become well-rounded instead of

looking to becoming big quickly (Oughton, 2013). It seems that the career outlook is defined by

the individual as well as believing in the artistic process and working for the realistic and artistic

reasons rather than for fame and recognition.

Bio of a Producer

As mentioned previously, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jane Prince to find out more

about the industry. Jane is a documentary producer for a non-profit organization for the Nature

Conservancy. I enjoyed the flexibility of the job she does and how much freedom she has to

pursue her passions. I was impressed by the amount of time she spent stressing the importance

of networking and building relationships. She advised me not to go into debt in pursuit of my

career, to save money, and to explore scholarships that are available. Her job requires her to

keep up on the latest forms of technology and keep current on the latest advancements in the

field. She spends much of her time traveling and on location (Prince, 2017).

Her favorite part of her work is the creative process involved in production. Bringing

ideas to a medium is very fulfilling and enjoying to her. Her least favorite part is forcibly
working on poor or forced ideas. There are some projects that she is tasked on the are fairly

surface level but she accepts the challenged of not always being in agreement (Prince, 2017).

She suggested to me that I take courses in storytelling and songwriting to learn how to

translate my ideas to a medium. She also stated that the degree programs at most community

colleges are very good these days and they can be as helpful as attending a four-year university.

She also suggested that I get involved in internships and team-connected jobs so to start

associating myself with others that have the same goals and desires. Volunteering can get my

foot in the door as well. The final advice that she offered me was to maintain integrity, honesty,

and to work hard. With this, she stated, there isnt anything stopping me from my goals (Prince,

2017)

Pros and Cons

The most obvious cons in this industry are late hours, long days, sacrifices in your

personal life, and a great deal of stress (Pryde, 2017). There is also no immediate way to be

successful and the pursuit can take years of hard work and dedication (Oughton, 2013). It is a

highly competitive environment and there is no guarantee that you will be at the level you wish

to achieve for yourself. Also, the need to stay on top of changing technologies and legal issues

can be challenging. The recording process can be an extremely time-consuming and repetitive

process as well (Torres, 2017).

In contrast, the pros in this profession are many, including being immersed in an

environment of art and culture. In addition, exciting aspects are involved such as

traveling/vacationing, backstage access to concerts and invitations to fun events (Pryde, 2017).

Other pros include contributing to the creative vision of a recording project, working for the
television, film, and musical industries, and being associated with successful projects (Torres,

2017).

Associations with other people can be both a pro and con depending on the individual.

As with any industry, there are those who are much easier to work with than others.

My Fit in this Career

As I mentioned in the beginning, this career has always been very intriguing to me. I

have the passion and the desire necessary to be successful and I intend to be very proactive in my

approach. I have played and recorded music for over twenty years and feel that I have the skills

necessary to be successful. I have always been curious about different approaches and ways to

broaden the field of music production and am excited to bring these ideas to fruition. I have

family members in the industry and have grown up in their example. Skills I need to hone for

this career include interpersonal skills, technical skills, and a broader musical appreciation.

Throughout my research, one trait that continued to reveal itself as absolutely necessary for

success in music production regardless of cost is unwavering determination. I am determined to

work in music and give homage to the old adage, If you do what you love, you never work a

day in your life.

Citations

Pryde Multimedia (2017), Music Producer

 www.careersinmusic.com/music-producer

Heibustki, Ralph (2017), Career Path of a Music Producer

work.chron.com/career-path-music-producer-11850.html

Felts, Susannah, UAB Dept. of Music (2017), 5 Things to Know: Music Technology Careeers

www.uab.edu/uabmagazine/2013/august/musictech

Madness, Music Education (2014), Music Producer

www.musiceducationmadness.com/career_detail/music-producer

Oughton, Jack (2013), What Does It Take To Be a Music Producer

www.theguardian.com/careers/music-producer-career-advice

Torres, Franco (2017), Becoming A Record Producer: Job Description & Salary Info

Learningpath.org/articles/Record_Producer_Career_Summary.html

Prince, Jane (2017, April), Personal Interview

Department of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2017, Dec. 17), Occupational

Outlook Handbook, 2016-2017 Edition, Producers and Directors

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm