What does it take to be a music producer and what do you actually do?

It has to be one of the toughest jobs in music. It will be your job to tell the band what they are doing wrong (in your opinion), when to sing here and when not to play the bridge there, shorten the songs or add a crafty hook in certain places.
I have had lot’s of time spent and wasted by producers.
The hardest job you will have as a producer is convincing the band that your ideas are worthy.
You will take notes and listen to the same songs over and over and over and over again until you can hear it in your head note for note even when you are gone.
I will admit, a good producer can make all the diff but a bad producer can destroy the creative thought process of the artist or artists.
If you are considering a career in as a producer I suggest starting at the bottom in a studio and get ready to deal with some of the most moody, coked out people in the world.
I got stories iCeskate, I would be happy to share some if you are interested.

Good luck with that…......
you should start trying to get an internship at a recording studio and or record company

I’m only 13 and just thinking
of options

And…..

you make it sound like im making a commitment to this i just want to know what they have to do!

judochop did exactly that.

then you didn’t have to even leave a comment!

If you are only 13, when you go to high school take music theory as one of your classes if it is an option. Music theory will begin to teach you how music works, and if you like it you can take music theory 2 sophmore year, music theory 3 junior, and so on.

Music theory will help you get a grasp on structure and basic progression. It is a step in the right direction however, being 13 and just thinking about it right now…What you should do is direct yourself towards learning programs like Pro-Tools and Acid Pro. These are tools used by Engineers in the studio but it will help if you know these programs when reading over the shoulder ie, move this to there and cut that piece, etc. Most good producers are engineers and most good producers have a huge background in music.
I think what you may be after is becoming a music scout and if that is the case you may want to just direct yourself to marketing.

I want to be the person that is actually in the studio recording and editing the song and publishing it.

You don’t get to do all of that unless you are operating on the indie level and as much as I hate to say it, there is no money on the indie level.
You should look in to engineering.
I can tell you the hours are super long and the work is mostly in a dark room.

Well I’ll put it in these terms, I want Simon cowells job… But I don’t have to be on reality tv

that’s different than a music producer, he’s a music critic.

no he is also a producer. He signed the contracts or what ever with jordin sparks and whoever

Being a critic is much like being a producer and often the two of them cross lines.

right…...good luck with that…....

@cheebdragon I think your just jelous that I’m actually planning my life thats why you just say rude things you probaly didn’t plan your life right so your jelous and trying to bring
people down!

yeah that’s it! I’m jealous of the 13 year old who can’t even spell jealous…......

I’m typing on an iPod

It is ok to misspell some words, you are fine.
I can see where the both of you are getting heated towards each other but c’mon it is just the internet.
I think the both of you have made your point and the both of you are very smart, so why attack each other?
I think it is time for a group hug here.
Everyone has probably seen it but;
Arguing on the internet is like running a race in the special olympics…..

On a serious note, being a music producer is a lot of hard work. If u say u want to be like Simon Cowell, you need to either bust ur butt, or get really lucky. Definitely good luck though.