Is music production really that hard?
First of all, let me be clear. I don’t know how to make music. Period.
The idea of it seems so simple, the beats are in my head but, I was never really able to implement it into an actual software to sound the same. I started learning about 4 years ago and I have tried on and off, never really gave it the time it deserves.
I’ve been writing stuff, nothing too brilliant. Just my feelings in my notes app, can’t really sing and I TRY to rap but, well… I guess it’s safe to say I am not the best. I can’t play any instruments at all.
My inspiration for music comes from NF, an American based rapper who doesn’t resort to vulgarity and curse words but, still raps quite impressively. The cinematic and dark aura about his music drew me in.
I started with YS, when a friend introduced me to “Don’t Mind”. And we moved briefly to karachi so that kinda fuelled my hunger for rap and DHH. Got into TY as a separate artist, loved his lyricism, and flows. Eventually listened to AUR and TA in 2024 where I was depressed quite a lot so, made a bond with his music especially as I focused more on his lyrics which weren’t the typical ‘braggy hip hop’ kind. And since last year I have been listening more to JANI (primarily), Hasan Raheem, JJ47, Jokhay, Umair, Aleemrk, Shareh.
Listening to these artists inspires me and I want to be one of them one day (big goal but it doesn’t you to dream big). I try and copy their flows and cadence with my own lyrics sometimes and create my own flows too but, none are groundbreaking stuff, doesn’t help that I am an introvert and don’t like to ‘show off’ or ‘test’ my skills.
Back to the main problem, lyrics are only gonna get you so far, music requires a beat, an identity, drums, piano, violins, the whole shebang. In my mind, I could do it if I pursued it whole heartedly and not like a side hustle that I remember to check on from time to time. So, the question is…
“Is making music (production, composition) really that hard? Should I collaborate with someone instead of trying to learn it myself just because I want everything MY way?”