How long does it take to learn how to produce? Find out how much time you need to invest

How long it takes to learn how to produce can vary but there are some easy answers to this question. The length of time it takes to learn how to produce electronic music ultimately depends on how much time a student dedicates. However, we can calculate the rough number of hours it takes for learning the core music production skills. 

This blog will help answer how long it takes to learn how to produce and also address some factors new producers need to consider. Use this guide to help you allocate enough time in your week to learn how to produce and start making your own electronic music.

How Long Does it Take to Learn How to Produce: The short answer…

It takes on average eight hours of intensive one-to-one learning to cover all the core beginner production skills. This will be enough time for you to get to grips with your chosen DAW to the point where you can open the program and make full length tracks using samples. 

You should also put aside at least eight hours to learn music theory for computer musicians. 

It will take a further twelve to twenty hours to learn how to then polish your productions into finished pieces of work. This will include using more advanced production techniques.

At this stage, you’ll know the bulk of the possibilities with music production but you’ll still be at a novice level. It can take many more hours of work to hone your music production skills and establish your own sound. It could take years until you’re happy with the results. 

Once you’ve got a grip of the scope of music production skills needed to make a track you’ll then need to specialise. Specialisation means learning how to use production techniques, synths and plugins that are specific to your genre of music. This would be an on-going task but at the bear minimum you need to invest circa twenty hours learning genre-specific basics. 

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Music production technology is constantly evolving so you need to consider also keeping up with the curve. Make sure you dedicate a regular session in your schedule to learn the latest technology. 

In addition, if you then want to learn how to mix and master your tracks you’ll need to invest further time. Our Mixing and Mastering course is an intensive one-to-one course and totals twelve hours. 

All in all, you need to think about it in stages. The first stay is to invest in quality one-to-one tuition. This way, you’ll learn at an accelerated pace. Remember to double-up on practice time, so for every hours spent learning with your tutor you should spend an hour repeating the task, as a minimum. The more time you spend practicing the quicker you’ll perfect your craft. 

However, the learning never stops. There is always something new to learn in music production and you’ll find a life time of growth opportunities ahead of you. Never think of it as a job done, you’re just on a journey with many twists and paths. 

Music Production Shortcuts 

There are of course some shortcuts you can take when it comes to speeding up the amount of time it takes to learn how to produce. The most successful strategy would be to learn one-to-one direct from a qualified music production who has teaching experience. This way, you’ll learn at a fast pace and have instant feedback. Learning in groups is more social but will ultimately take you longer. This is why the music production degrees are often two years or more. 

Learning to produce one-to-one rather than at a college or university also means you can save time because you won’t have assignments or essays to complete. 

Typical Timeline for Learning How to Produce

Here’s a typical timeline showing how long it will take to learn how to produce with the help one one-to-one tuition. 

Beginner Music Production Course Lessons - Eight Hours

Beginner Music Production Course Practice - Eight Hours 

Beginner Music Theory for Computer Musicians - Eight Hours 

Intermediate Music Production Course Lessons - Eight Hours

Intermediate Music Production Course Practice - Eight Hours

Advanced Music Production Course Lessons - Eight Hours

Advanced Music Production Course Lessons - Eight Hours 

Genre Specific Music Production Skills - Twenty Hours 

Mixing and Mastering Course Lessons - Twelve Hours 

Mixing and Mastering Course Practice - Twelve Hours 

Total Estimated Time To Learn How To Produce - 100 Hours 

*Ongoing weekly practice and learning new skills guideline - six hours minimum

Conclusion 

With our guide it would take you one hundred hours of lessons and practice to learn how to produce to a high standard. Once you’ve completed these hours you’ll need to continue the learning process. 

If you therefore dedicated just two hours a week you could complete the guideline amount within roughly one year. If you did four hours a week you could complete those hours within half a year.

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