To have a long and successful career as a beatmaker, it’s certainly important to refine your music production skills, but there are also several other things you should prioritize.
Table of Contents
1. Health Management
Long hours in the studio can take a toll on your body. Aim for moderate exercise, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet. If your health suffers, you won’t be able to focus on creating music.
Maintain a regular lifestyle rhythm
Beatmakers tend to work late nights, but maintaining a consistent rhythm is important for staying healthy. As much as possible, wake up and go to bed at set times to avoid disrupting your body clock.
Develop a moderate exercise routine
Long studio sessions make it easy to become sedentary. Make jogging, stretching or other exercises that suit you part of your daily routine. Moderate exercise can also help relieve stress and boost creativity.
Eat a balanced diet
Irregular meals and unbalanced nutrition can cause health issues. Be sure to eat three proper meals a day and proactively consume fruits and vegetables. Also be careful not to overdo it with caffeine and sugar.
2. Building Relationships
To survive in the music industry, good relationships are essential. Value your connections with artists, labels and other producers. Finding colleagues to collaborate with can lead to new opportunities.
Improve communication skills
To build positive relationships in the music industry, communication skills are a must. Practice listening closely and clearly expressing your own opinions. Utilizing social media to regularly connect with artists and other creators is also effective.
Establish trust
When working together, trust is of utmost importance. Always meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work to gain trust. If issues arise, aim to respond with sincerity.
Expand your network
To make it in the music business, a broad network is key. Actively participate in events and seminars to widen your interactions. Collaborating with other beatmakers can also open up exciting new possibilities.
3. Acquiring Business Skills
Talent alone won’t pay the bills. You need to develop business skills like contract negotiation, rights management, and marketing. It’s crucial to have your value properly recognized.
Contract negotiation ability
When taking on work as a beatmaker, thoroughly understand the contract details and protect your rights. Learn the terminology and master negotiation techniques. If needed, consulting a lawyer is an option.
Knowledge of rights management
Properly managing the rights to your compositions is an essential skill for a beatmaker. Study copyright law and keep track of how your music is being used.
Marketing skills
To get your creations out to a larger audience, marketing skills are necessary. Focus on sharing information via social media and engaging with fans. Establishing your brand image can also expand your work opportunities.
4. Expanding Sources of Inspiration
To consistently generate fresh ideas, it’s important to take an interest in areas beyond just music. Exposure to various genres like film, art, and literature can stimulate creativity.
Watching movies
Film soundtracks can be a major source of inspiration for beatmaking. Watch movies across different genres and learn techniques for using sound and expressing emotion.
Appreciating art
Music and art are closely intertwined. Visiting art museums or browsing art books may spark new ideas. Abstract art in particular can evoke musical imagery.
Reading
Reading novels and poetry collections can translate the rhythm and imagery of words into music. Gaining knowledge from non-fiction can also provide hints for composing.
5. Valuing Personal Life
Working non-stop will lead to burnout. Having a fulfilling personal life, including time with family and friends and pursuing hobbies, can positively influence your work. Be intentional about balancing on and off modes.
Time with family
No matter how busy work gets, cherish your time with family. Spending quality time with loved ones enriches your spirit and motivates you to create.
Socializing with friends
Spending time with friends outside of music-related topics is also essential for recharging. It’s important to take a break from your usual routine and refresh your mindset.
Time for hobbies
Engaging in hobbies outside of music can enhance your creativity. Make time to immerse yourself in activities you enjoy like sports, cooking, gardening, etc.
In conclusion
Being a beatmaker is not a career you can sustain on passion alone. While it’s of course crucial to pour yourself into music production, taking a balanced approach to other elements is the key to building a long and thriving career.
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