Ableton Forum

I know there's no set way of learning production, but I was wondering if the method I was thinking about would smarter than just diving in.

I was contemplating just focusing on music theory for 2-4 weeks before I even started learning how to configure Ableton (or whichever DAW I choose) and learning music production in general.

Would that be a good idea? I have no prior musical experience or knowledge, and I'd be doing all of this in person with a trainer; not reading books or watching online videos since those methods don't seem to work for me.

While it's never a bad thing to learn music theory, it's not going to be a huge help when it comes to learning the production at first I think. If you're goal is to mainly learn how to use Ableton, then I'd say start there and dive in. Besides, it will likely take you more than 2-3 weeks learn much of music theory, so probably better to focus on that as a side project and just keep practicing as you go.

Just my $0.02.

Yeah it probably depends where your interest and strengths lie.

Personally I have very strong technical interests and skills so the technical side of the software and hardware of music gets me excited. The process or learning all the techniques and working things out is also what I love. Music theory, learning an instrument and constant repetitive practice, not so much. So after almost 20 years I have never fully mastered an instrument, I know the basics of theory and I am not really akin to playing Live.

I am however very fast to get things started in live, get ideas down and play things by ear and feel almost like a reaction which is great but even today I am learning new things both within Live and within Music itself and i'd hazard a guess that will never stop. I just love having a family that allows me to play for hours and even days on end if I need the time.

Just try and start by having some fun and picking away piece by piece. In decades to come things will click

moodydoherty wrote: I was contemplating just focusing on music theory for 2-4 weeks before I even started learning how to configure Ableton (or whichever DAW I choose) and learning music production in general.

Learning Music Theory in order to become a music producer is like learning swimming by reading a book, or likewise with cooking. While information having value sooner or later you will have to learn how to do the actual thing. I e Swimming, making a nice meal or completing a song.

Knowing all the music theory in the world will not have you writing great songs. Creating completed works, even crap, will take you on your journey to potentially be able to create great music, if that's what you want.

Studying is good, including music theory, but don't let studying get in the way of making music.

Personally I work on music every day, complete authoring around a song/track a week and study music theory and synthesis on the side. I absorbed a lot about music production for a long time because I can't help myself. When I have specific problems I want to know everything. But finishing, even if not for release, made the most impact on both quality and quantity.

What I have found for myself is that writing good material, makes mixdowns and the production fall into place almost by itself as a song structure puts clear requirements on what to achieve and I think make things very clear. Maybe that's somewhere around where your interest in music theory started?

That's all really good advice.