What does a music producer do? It is one of the most common questions people ask about how music gets made. The short answer: a music producer is the person who takes a song from an idea to a finished record. They shape the sound, guide the players and singers, and make sure every part fits.
At Rainfire Music, that person is Alvin. Press play below to hear him explain it in his own words.
Who is Alvin of Rainfire Music?
“Hi, I’m Alvin. I write and record the music.” That is how Alvin introduces himself. He plays guitar, bass and keyboards on the Rainfire songs. In his words, he does “whatever it takes to get the job done.”
He also says something many people don’t expect from a music producer: “I am not a singer.” So he brings in other people to sing. He builds the song, and the singers give it a voice.
What does a music producer do, step by step?
Every music producer works a little differently. But most do these main jobs.
1. Writes or shapes the song
Some producers write the song themselves. Others help a songwriter make the song stronger. Alvin writes the music for Rainfire, so the song starts with him.
2. Plays or records the instruments
A music producer makes sure every instrument part gets recorded. Some hire players. Others play the parts themselves. Alvin plays guitar, bass and keyboards, so he records most of the music on his own.
3. Works with the singers
The producer guides the singer. Where should the voice get louder? Which take sounds best? At Rainfire, Alvin brings in singers to sing the songs he wrote and recorded.
4. Edits and arranges the song
After recording, the producer cleans up the parts and decides what goes where. Should the chorus come back one more time? Should the guitar drop out in the bridge? Alvin calls this part of the job “edit, refine and arrange.”
5. Puts it all together
The last step is getting everything into one finished song that is ready to share. Alvin describes it as putting everything together “in the best package I can.”
Want to see each step in more detail? Read How to Make a Song: Behind the Scenes at Rainfire Music.
What is the difference between a music producer and a songwriter?
A songwriter writes the words and the melody. A music producer turns that song into a finished recording. Some people do both jobs. Alvin is one of them. He writes the songs and produces them too.
Can you be a music producer if you can’t sing?
Yes. Many music producers never sing a note on their records. Their skill is in building the music, hearing what the song needs and bringing the right people in. Alvin is open about it. He is not a singer, so he finds singers who fit each song.
If you have ideas for songs but don’t love your own voice, don’t let that stop you. Write the music. Find a voice later.
What instruments should a music producer play?
You don’t have to play anything to be a music producer. But it helps a lot. Here is why the three instruments Alvin plays are so useful:
- Guitar: great for writing. You can find chords and melodies fast. Alvin uses an old, trusted guitar as his starting point for every idea. Read the story in How to Find the Chords to a Melody on Guitar.
- Bass: gives the song its low end and groove. It locks in with the drums.
- Keyboards: can play chords, melodies, pads and even drum sounds. A keyboard is a whole band under your fingers.
What skills does a music producer need?
Here are the skills that matter most:
- A good ear. You need to hear what sounds right and what doesn’t.
- Basic music theory. Knowing keys and chords helps a lot. Our free Key Finder can tell you what key your song is in from just the chords.
- Patience. Editing and arranging take time.
- Teamwork. You will work with singers and other players.
- Finishing. Great producers finish songs. That is the whole job.
How do you start as a music producer?
Start small. Pick up an instrument. Learn a few chords. Write one simple song. Record it on your phone. Then do it again. Our songwriting tips for beginners page walks you through the first steps.
Where can you hear Alvin’s work?
You can hear what this music producer makes on the Rainfire videos page and the stream page. Want to own the songs? Visit the Rainfire store. And to show some love, grab a shirt or hat from the Rainfire merch shop.
About the author: Alvin writes and records the music for Rainfire Music. He plays guitar, bass and keyboards, and brings in singers to voice each song. This blog shares the real steps behind every Rainfire song. Watch the videos · Stream the music
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RELATED TO: can you be a music producer if you can’t sing, how to become a music producer, independent music producer
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