10/5/07

Genre Based production styles.
Today was an overview of several production ‘traditions’ for different styles of music. Steve’s proposition was that versatility as a producer is something to strive for: that the ability to function in different styles of music will help us to become a better overall producer. (It will also allow doors to open for us that might otherwise be closed.) Thus it is important to be aware of the different approaches to recording and production that are most commonly used in different genres.

I must admit to being in two minds on this one! I certainly agree with Steve’s points. Balance is often so important to being good at something. To be a good tennis player, one needs to have a game that is competent on many fronts.

But, on the other hand… My Mum used to say: if you’re a jack of all trades, you’ll be a master of none! I think it might be possible to try so hard to spread one’s self around that one becomes mediocre in a range of different production techniques. This might be especially relevant to the trainee producer.

Specialisation is also an important part of becoming really great at something. How many great guitar players can play other instruments to the same level as they can play their guitars? It seems to me that specialisation is at least as significant as balance. There comes a time when we must draw a line in the sand and decide what we want to really excel at. So in the light of this, I can see a potential drawback to trying to be supremely balanced: I may end up being supremely mediocre.