In an age of boundless information and self-learning opportunities, the question of whether you even need to attend a formal school setting to learn music production has become an increasingly relevant one.

With the rise of online tutorials, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and ever expanding accessible resources, aspiring music producers have more options than ever before. This post aims to explore the pros and cons of attending a traditional school setting versus a self-taught approach, helping you make an informed decision on your journey to becoming a confident, and proficient music producer.

Pros of Going to School for Music Production

  1. Structured Learning Environment: Attending a music production school will usually offer a structured curriculum tailored to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the field. This kind of structure can help beginners build a strong foundation and progress systematically through various aspects of music production.
  2. Access to Industry Professionals: Music production schools often employ experienced industry professionals as lecturers and course leaders. Learning from these experts often provides valuable insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities that might be more difficult to access through self-learning alone.
  3. Hands-On Experience: Many music production programs offer hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and studio spaces. This practical experience can accelerate your learning process and familiarize you with professional, industry-standard tools.
  4. Collaboration Opportunities: Music production schools will often encourage collaboration between students. This replicates real-world working conditions and help you develop vaulable teamwork and communication skills, which are crucial for success in the music industry.

Cons of Going to School for Music Production

  1. Cost: Traditional education is expensive, and music production schools are no exception. Tuition fees, accommodation, and other expenses can quickly add up, making formal education a significant financial commitment for many years to come.
  2. Time-Consuming: Formal education typically follows a fixed schedule, which might not be flexible enough for those with other commitments like jobs or family responsibilities.
  3. Limited Focus: Traditional music production programs might cover a wide range of topics, some of which might not align with your specific interests or goals. This can lead to spending time on areas that are less relevant to your career path.

Pros of Self-Learning Music Production

  1. Flexibility: Self-learning allows you to set your own pace and study on a schedule that suits you. This is particularly advantageous if you have a day job or other commitments.
  2. Cost-Effective: Many online resources for learning music production are affordable or even free. This makes it accessible to a wider range of individuals who might not have the financial means to attend a music production school.
  3. Diverse Learning Resources: The internet offers a plethora of tutorials, forums, blogs, and online courses related to music production. You can curate your learning experience by selecting resources that align with your goals.
  4. Real-World Application: Self-learners often focus on practical skills and real-world applications right from the start. This hands-on approach can be valuable for those who learn best by doing.

Cons of Self-Learning Music Production

  1. Lack of Structure: Without a formal curriculum, it’s possible to miss out on foundational knowledge or jump ahead without fully grasping essential concepts.
  2. Limited Feedback: Self-learners might lack the critical feedback that experienced instructors provide. Constructive criticism is crucial for improvement in creative fields like music production.
  3. Isolation: Learning in isolation can mean fewer networking opportunities and a potential absence of the collaborative learning environment found in schools.

In the end, the decision of whether to attend a music production school or pursue self-learning depends on your individual circumstances, goals, and learning preferences. Music production schools offer structured education, access to experts, and hands-on experience, but they come with a cost and time commitment. On the other hand, self-learning provides flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and tailored learning experiences, but it requires strong self-discipline and might lack the structured guidance of a formal program.

Ultimately, a combination of both approaches could be ideal. Begin with self-learning to acquire foundational knowledge and practical skills, and consider enrolling in short courses or workshops to gain exposure to industry professionals and expand your network. Regardless of your chosen path, passion, dedication, and continuous learning will be your most valuable assets in the ever-evolving world of music production.

Remember – RouteNote Create subscriptions start from as little as $2.99. You also get 10 FREE credits to spend on samples along with access to our FREE sample pack bundle when you sign-up!

Try Free