Pop record producer Roadblocks to Success

Wannabe pop record producers always have at least one fatal flaw. Now the flaw varies from person to person, but they basically fall under 3 categories. So to let’s list out the rules to keep you in the game.

People Skills

Let’s start with the granddaddy. This is a people biz hombre. You deal with people all the time, whether it be label execs, engineers, or the talent you are producing.

Because of this critical point your people skills will make or break your career. This may seem overrated if you come from the school of thought that says, “if I get a single it will be enough.” Honestly, maybe. But your success is so much more likely if you treat people in a way that makes them feel good.

That is what brings Rick Ruben success in this industry. That man is unquestionably the biggest thing on the scene. He has hits in all genres from Rap to Country and people want to work with the cat because he makes them feel good and alive.

Do you do this?

If not maybe it’s time to learn. Go get a copy of How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It could be a career-changing book

Overshadowing

The second mistake that many produces make is to cast a looming shadow over an entire project. This is usually because the Pop record producer is a control freak. This type of Pop record producer has their fingerprints all over an album, and the artist feels suffocated by their presence.

Music is supposed to be an outflow of a vision. A song comes to life out of an artist, if they feel stifled by an overbearing oppressive regime you are not going to get the best production out of them. That is the truth.

Now, that does not mean that a good Pop record producer cannot point out flaws and errors, it just means that it should be done in a way that makes the talent want to change, not hole up and die.

Work on allowing the artist to breathe. Give them space to be an artist, but yet keep the project moving forward. It’s tough, but hey that’s your job.

Limited Chops

The last area that hangs up wannabe Pop record producer is a limited pallet of chops. This shows up in the inability to get the sounds, beats, or vocal takes because of a lack of knowledge. A know-it-all attitude is a sure way to shoot yourself in the foot.