The Top 3 Things You Need to Start Producing Music (and What Production Really Is)

 If you’re a music educator looking to bring songwriting into your classroom—or even just into your own life—you’ve probably heard the word “production” tossed around a lot. Maybe you’ve even wondered: What does a music producer actually do? Do I need to learn production to help my students write songs? How do I even get started?

These are great questions—and you're not alone in asking them. I remember asking the same questions not so long ago.

Production can feel like an overwhelming, tech-heavy world that’s best left to the pros in studios. But here’s the truth: production is just another form of musical storytelling. And you don’t need a degree in audio engineering or thousands of dollars in gear to begin.

In this post, I’ll unpack what music production actually is, why it matters for songwriting and teaching, and the top three things you need to start producing right now—no matter your level of experience.

So… What Is Music Production, Anyway?

At its core, music production is the process of shaping a song’s sound from beginning to end. That includes decisions about arrangement, instrumentation, vocal delivery, tone, texture, effects, dynamics, and even silence. It’s where the song moves from an idea to an experience.

Think of songwriting as building the bones of a house—for songwriting, that means melody, lyrics, chords, form. Production is how you furnish that house and decide what vibe it gives off. Is it cozy and intimate? Bold and cinematic? Raw and live? Clean and modern?

Production gives a song its emotional and sonic identity—and helps the listener connect with it on a deeper level.

Here’s the important part: even if you’re not producing for commercial release, learning the basics of production will help you and your students hear more clearly, communicate more effectively, and create more intentionally.

Top 3 Things You Need to Start Producing Music

Whether you're guiding students or just learning yourself, here are the essentials to get going:

1. A Basic Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

A DAW is your central tool for producing music. It’s where you record, edit, arrange, mix, and export your song. And you don’t need anything fancy to start—there are excellent free or low-cost options that are totally classroom- (and beginner-) friendly.

Free or affordable DAWs to explore:

• BandLab (Free, browser-based—great for schools and remote learning)
• GarageBand (Free on Mac/iOS—intuitive and beginner-friendly)
• Soundtrap by Spotify (Subscription-based but educational licenses available—great for collaboration)

Paid, but industry standard DAWs to explore:

• Logic (user friendly, lots of sounds and options)
• Ableton (really great for beat making and live performance)
• ProTools (industry standard for in studio pros)

Choose a DAW that works with your device and comfort level, and spend a little time getting familiar with the layout. Think of it like learning a new instrument—start small and play around. If you’re not sure – we even have a Production Basics Course that goes through all the basics of production just to get you started!

2. Headphones or Monitors (You need a Way to Listen Clearly)

You can produce music with just a laptop and a DAW, but your ears need a little help. Built-in laptop speakers just don’t cut it when it comes to hearing the details of your sound.

Headphones: Affordable, Portable, and Classroom-Friendly

Headphones are often the most accessible starting point—and for good reason. They let you work quietly, isolate your listening environment (especially helpful in shared or noisy spaces), and hear details clearly.

Why headphones are a great choice:

• Ideal for beginners or educators in shared spaces
• Budget-friendly options that still deliver great sound
• Portable—use them anywhere
• Great for hearing fine detail, like vocal tuning, reverb tails, or panning

 Studio Monitors: A Bigger Picture and More Accurate Mixing

Studio monitors are external speakers designed specifically for music production. Unlike consumer speakers (which often boost bass or treble), studio monitors aim to deliver a flat, uncolored sound. This lets you hear your mix more objectively and make better production decisions.

Why studio monitors are helpful:

• Give a more natural sound—important for understanding balance and stereo width
• Allow you to feel the music in the room, which is great for groove-based tracks
• Helpful for mixing at a professional level

That said, monitors work best in acoustically treated environments. If you're producing in a typical room (with bare walls, no sound treatment, etc.), what you hear might still be skewed by reflections and room resonance.

Whichever option works best for your situation and budget is the one to go for – you might even have a bit of both – where if you have a classroom you could have listening stations set up with headphones and then a separate room or booth where students can go and listen on monitors.

3. A Willingness to Explore (and Make Mistakes)

You have to be willing to fail and make mistakes. Truly. While his might sound a little silly, honestly, it’s the most important thing you can do when learning. Music production is both a technical skill and an artistic practice. You won’t know what every knob does right away. You’ll export tracks that sound muddy, thin, or messy. That’s part of the process.

Encourage your students (and yourself) to approach production with a spirit of curiosity. Start with simple projects: record a vocal and add harmonies. Try looping a drum groove. Experiment with panning or reverb. Listen back. Ask: What do I like? What would I change? That’s producing!

How Do You Get Good at It?

The same way you get good at songwriting, playing piano, or singing harmony: practice.

Here are a few ideas to grow your production skills:

• Reverse engineer songs you love. Import a track into your DAW and analyze what you hear. What instruments are used? How is the song layered?
• Recreate a song using loops or samples. You’ll learn a ton by copying a structure.
• Watch tutorials—YouTube is packed with DAW-specific videos and beginner-friendly guides.
• Co-produce with your students. If you’re teaching, try building tracks together. Ask questions, make creative choices, reflect on the results.

You don’t have to be a professional producer to incorporate production into your songwriting curriculum. You just need enough knowledge to help students explore, experiment, and express their musical ideas more fully.

Final Thoughts

Production isn't just for pop stars and sound engineers—it’s a creative, accessible way to bring songs to life. For music educators, it’s a powerful bridge between traditional music skills and the sounds students hear and love today.

Don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Start small. Stay curious. And remember: every great producer started out not knowing what a compressor did either.

Want more resources like this? At Songwriting for Music Educators, we offer online courses and lesson plans designed specifically for educators who want to bring songwriting and production into their classrooms as well as tons of free resources to get you started! Check us out at www.songwritingforme.com or sign up for our Production Basics Course and join our community of creative, curious teachers!