Many aspiring music producers worry that they’re too old to start learning music production, but is that something worth worrying about? Is there a cutoff age where you’re actually too old to learn music production, and actually be good at it?
The purpose of this article is to dispel the myth that there’s some random age where you can no longer learn music production and to empower aspiring music producers, no matter the age, who want to pursue their passion. If you’re just starting to learn about music production, this article will provide you with the inspiration and information you need to take the leap.
Is it too late to learn music production?
No, it is never too late to learn music production regardless of how old you are. Music producers of all ages have achieved music production success, and those that achieved that success did not limit themselves by worrying about how old they were or how long it would take to learn music production.
Sure, it may take a bit of time to learn musical composition, music theory, and how to use your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), but you can learn the basics of music production in a few months with a little bit of effort. However, it will take longer to learn music production proficiently, especially if you are learning music production on your own.
If you’re passionate about music production, you should not worry about how old you are. Learning music production can be difficult as it is, so worrying about your age is just another roadblock to enjoying your passion. At the end of the day, music production is all about musical expression, and there is no age limit to expressing your creativity.
Is it easier to learn music production at a younger age than at an older age?
Age is not a factor in how easy or difficult it is to learn music production. How easy it is to learn music production will be determined by four main factors:
- Prior musical experience
- Dedication to learning and practicing
- Natural aptitude for music and technology
- Access to music production learning resources
Many people starting out may not have had prior musical experience, but 3 of the four factors are traits anyone can have. I would even argue that access to music production learning resources and the level of dedication are the two most important factors on the list. Having prior musical experience can be helpful for anything related to music theory and understanding certain musical terms, but it’s not necessary.
What are the advantages of learning music production at a later age?
There are a few unique advantages to learning music production at a later age:
- Life Experience: Oftentimes, great music comes from the unique life experiences an artist has experienced. That means heartbreak, finding love, a breakup, etc. Younger music producers will not have the life experience an older music producer starting out will have, and therefore won’t be able to express those emotions and experiences through their music. One great example is Dr. Dre’s album 2001, where Dr. Dre himself raps about his experiences of people doubting his skill and his ability.
- Financial Stability: Starting music production later in life means you’ll have more financial freedom to buy music production courses, gear, and software. This can speed up how quickly you can learn music production and can add uniqueness and creativity to your music productions. You do not need to spend lots of money on gear and software, but it can certainly help your songs.
- Focus and Dedication: If you’re starting music production later in life, oftentimes you’ll be more focused and dedicated to your craft than someone who is younger. For example, when I was younger, rather than focusing on my grades in college, I partied often. If I could go back in time and retake the same courses I took when I was younger, I would easily get better grades. When you’re older it’s much easier to be disciplined and focused, which can lead to quicker progress and greater success.
- Maturity and Wisdom: Maturity and wisdom come with age, and these qualities can be incredibly beneficial in music production. Being able to handle criticism, manage stress and make better decisions can lead to more consistent and high-quality music production.
Can you still pursue a career in music production if you start later in life?
Yes, you can still pursue a career in music production if you start later in life. This is because producing music is a skill, and if someone in the music industry were looking for songs from music producers, they would not care about your age. They would only care about the quality of the songs being produced.
Oftentimes big-name artists will hop on a song made by a music producer without ever having met the producer in the first place. This is actually a common occurrence and should be encouraging to those who are older and are concerned their music wouldn’t be heard or used.
There are a variety of websites where you can sell beats to rappers and singers, and you never have to meet them in the first place. One such website is Beatstars.
Here is a video that does a great job of breaking down whether or not you’re ever too old to have a career in music.
Are there successful music producers who are producing music at an older age?
Yes, there are many successful music producers that are still producing music at an older age’ here are some of the most well-known:
| Music Producer | Year of Birth |
|---|---|
| Dr. Dre | 1965 |
| Rick Rubin | 1963 |
| Timbaland | 1971 |
| Pharrell Williams | 1973 |
| Max Martin | 1971 |
| Quincy Jones | 1933 |
| Nile Rodgers | 1952 |
| Zedd | 1989 |
| Diplo | 1978 |
| Calvin Harris | 1984 |
Even though some of the music producers may have started younger, these music producers are still actively creating music for a variety of projects.
Tips for learning music production as an adult
Here are some tips you can utilize to help speed up the process of learning music production as an adult:
- Have a routine – It’s important as an adult to have a consistent routine since it makes it easier to get things done. Find a way to have a consistent time slot each day where you can sit down, learn music production, and produce music. This could be early in the morning before you have to work, or it can be in the evening after you come back home from work. If you work from home, it can even be during your lunch break or when you have some downtime.
- Find resources that will give you a structured way to learn music production – As an adult, you’ll want to learn music production in an efficient way and not waste time. This is because your days are likely busy with managing your job, a relationship, kids, etc. This is where things like music production tutorials, mentorships, or online courses can be useful. It is by no means a requirement, but it can save you a lot of time.
- Find a music production community – It can be helpful to surround yourself with like-minded people, so try to find a community of other music producers. This will allow you to share your music, get feedback, stay up-to-date on techniques and news, and have access to a wealth of knowledge.
I hope this information will help you on your music production journey, and I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!