Music production can be an elusive art form for many, and the challenges that face someone who is new to this can easily create overwhelm and lead to complete paralysis. The goal of this book is to cover music production from many different angles in a way that will change your thinking on the subject and build your confidence.
Music making is a very mental and psychological game, and more often than not, all the technical stuff can hold you back from achieving your goals if you don’t have the right creative habits in place first.
With all the information available with a simple Google search, I wanted to really get to the heart of things that aren’t being discussed nearly enough. I want to clear out all the garbage you may have been told and replace it with the essentials you can put to immediate use. Many people new to music may dive into forums and mindlessly watch video tutorials attempting to gather more and more information until they think they have enough to get going (hint: You never feel like you know enough).
That would be like reading a whole encyclopedia and then being asked to recall only the important things that will get you from point A to point B. Even worse, much of the information you get will contradict the last thing you read. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack only to be told it’s the wrong needle. There is a much better approach. It’s an approach that doesn’t require you to know a lot to get started. You only need to know enough to get to the next step in your process.
There is truly nothing stopping you from becoming a music producer. The ones who are successful now are the ones who started from nothing and chipped away at it until they found a way to express their unique voice. There are no gatekeepers making decisions on who is worthy and who isn’t. The determining factor is you, your habits, and your confidence in yourself.
This book can be listened from start to finish, or as a “choose your own adventure”, going directly to what you think can help you most right now. Don’t get caught up thinking you have to devour everything before getting started. That isn’t necessary, and isn’t the point of the book.
The core concepts in the book will come up time and time again which should help you retain them and be able to recall them when the need arrives. By exploring these concepts from several angles, you should gain a broad view of their many uses.
My hope is that this book is used as a toolbox. You simply find the right tool that moves you forward and get back to work. So few people, who have more than enough information in their heads, ever start. Of those who do start, even fewer finish what they started and are satisfied with the results. I want you to be in that small group of finishers.
Let’s get started.
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DJL –
Simply put one of the best books I read. The author is increasingly generous in sharing his experience and advice. Highly recommended.
Amazon Customer –
I loved much of the great advice and no holds barred attitude of Jason. His advice has helped me break through some of the unproductive desires I’ve had, such as reading books non stop just to become smarter. What good is it if you don’t put it to good use right away? And I’ve also stopped the endless watching of tutorials. Now, I primarily watch and read only when I known it’s something I need to get something done or that I will need very soon.
However, I think he could tone it down a bit regarding the lack of need for technical training or academic “book” learning like music theory. If you can add tools to your toolbox, why not? It will only make you a better composer, songwriter, mixer, producer or whatever it is you do in music.
I don’t think anyone could write a sonata in classical early 1800s style by just stumbling on it by experimenting. Yes, I know the book is mainly about EDM and other pop/rock type genres, but music theory is applicable to ALL genres.
I doubt knowing what a V/III chord is will make me a lesser song writer or composer and I would strongly argue, it will make us better song writers or composers. Plus, instead of stumbling on how it works, you will learn much faster. And yes, I do “break the rules” regularly because I have a goal in mind and I’m not just doing it blindly. And I don’t adhere so strongly to “rules” that it stifles my creativity.
I do lean heavily towards composing orchestral music, so my desire to create different sounds is pretty low, but I have played around in the past and it can be very enjoyable and satisfying to come up with your own sounds, so I admire that about Jason.
My background is mainly as a developer in I.T., but I also have taught music at the elementary school level. I hold bachelor’s degrees in Information Systems and Music Education. I am a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and also a member of ASCAP.
Gerardo Mosterín –
Muy buen libro, muy recomendable. Es muy claro, todas las ideas son buenas y ayudan al crecimiento musical y creativo.
Andrei –
After completing the book, I have:
-improved workflow
-formed a better work ethic
-become more organized
-become more inspired and ambitious
-become more aware of obstacle and how to overcome them
And finally, I’ve become a mentor for my fellow producer friends.
Best $20 I’ve spent!
Placeholder –
This is a good read whether you’re starting out, lost inspiration or taken a sabbatical and looking get back or get back in the game from scratch. The write up is good and for anyone who’s produced music can relate to the situations or examples. Make sure you read to the end and don’t skip any section even if you think it’s something you know. You’ll find gems between the lines. Kudos to the writer.
Fabiano Fonseca –
Its a pillow book this one. I read it when I have my lonely cofee at 5am, before my 2 hs daily music session. I wpuld love to have read this back in 2006. Thnkx
chris Adams –
I like the way the author integrated motivation and mental habits and applied them to music production. Also some direct suggestions for music production.
Philip R –
This book is a rare gem in a sea of noise. Jason Timothy not only someone who walks the walk but also talks the talk. He’s sharing his mental models of how to find inspiration, build healthy habits around music production, but also how to finally finish songs. What makes this book special is his level of depth. It’s just in a different league compared to all the shallow content out there. Highly recommended!
Amazon Customer for a really long time –
I initially bought this book as I happen to know the Author (back in the early music days), although we haven’t spoken in some time. I saw this book and decided to give it a go and see what Jay has been up to.
My initial impression is that I like the book and I think it is a straight to the point book on forming new, and hopefully better, habits and thus replacing bad habits. The emphasis in on music production, however, it is basically a self-help book that applies its knowledge to music production, but you can read it purely as a self-help book if you aren’t into music production. The ideas presented in the book will apply across any discipline or area of life.
As I mentioned before, I know the Author, or at least I did back in the day. I think he has done a service here for people who quickly want to figure out some self-help without wading through a massive text and he has kept the wording in plain layman’s English making for a book that is an easy read.
I have read about 65% of the book thus far and I will read the rest soon. But so far, I am happy to have read the book and I will try to incorporate some of the suggestions and ideas Jason presents in his book into my life and schedule.
There is some good info in the book. I especially appreciate the section on keeping honest friends around you that will tell you the truth; in this case about your music. But I think that principle applies to everything.
Anyway, I’m not here to hand out spoilers or do an exhaustive book report, except to say I think it is certainly worth a read, it is written in such a way as to be easy to read and I really like to the ‘get to the point right away’ presentation.
Thanks Jay, much appreciated.
– Opium Temple Assassins
HazyDaisy –
This has to be one of the most useful books I’ve ever read. I went from knowing nothing to releasing an EP in a year following this advice.
D. Cole –
First, I will say, YES it’s relevant to current-day technology and musical styles. I’m always skeptical when it’s 2023 and I’m looking at a printed-on-paper book offering instruction on cutting-edge technology and current musical styles which are created digitally (Techno, House, and all their many sub-genres and spin-offs). I’m happy to say that this book feels very fresh and current and the topics are timeless anyway. You could (and should) easily apply the concepts to whatever genre floats your boat. It’s more about your APPROACH than any particular technology anyway. You know… the MENTAL GAME. But, in that regard, it’s not at all obtuse or abstract, in fact it’s quite specific, very applicable and has already increased my speed, focus and ability to complete projects. Just get it and see for yourself. You won’t regret it. My only complaint is that it’s so chock full of good stuff, that I’m always interrupting myself to stop and write down valuable notes. It’s bothersome 🙂