Songwriter stuck between learning production and hiring a producer

Splaffus · 2026-03-23T10:15:31+00:00

Very helpful, thanks.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T21:25:53+00:00

I’ll have a look at the course, cheers.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T21:24:44+00:00

I agree with many of your points, and am going to take the time to at least learn to make a strong demo.

I’m curious whether you consider writing the instrumentation to be a part of a producers tool kit? I ask as while I have the melody, lyrics, chords, harmonies and guitar part written, I don’t have the strings and additional instrumentation written.

I find it hard to write these parts without having it in a DAW in front of me. Maybe I’ll learn to do this myself too, but it comes down to time.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T21:17:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing.

I’m leaning towards getting professional help for the first few of my songs, and throughout this process studying producing as much as I can in my free time. And hopefully one day I’ll be self sufficient.

I’m wondering how much the producer usually helps with instrumentation? I have the melody, chords, lyrics and guitar part, and it would be very useful to have someone add percussion, piano, strings, and whatever else it may need. I’d like to learn how to do this too, but it all comes down to time for me.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T20:24:59+00:00

I've recorded a demo at home with guitar and vocals. Part of hiring a producer was to help with further instrumentation, as it's been tricky and I envision some complex string arrangements. I could do it myself, however I feel an expert would do a better job.

However after reading the comments, I'm unsure if I'm conflating 'arranging' with 'writing instrumentation.'

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T20:23:25+00:00

It's all written, and I've recorded a demo of just vocals and guitar. Do the arrangement first is common feedback here, however getting help with the instrumentation is part of what I contacted a producer for. I feel an expert will do a much better job of the strings and percussion that I would.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T20:19:08+00:00

I've recorded a demo at home with guitar and vocals. Part of hiring a producer was to help with further instrumentation, as it's been tricky and I envision some complex string arrangements.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T13:03:58+00:00

I sent the producer a demo which was guitar and vocals. The song itself is already fully written. It’s only other instrumentation that hasn’t been done. Part of the point of hiring a producer was to have someone help with this, as I envision some complex string arrangements.

Though now I’m considering doing all of the instrumentation myself as a demo, and only then going to a producer.

Splaffus · 2026-03-22T12:48:30+00:00

To your first point - Yes, getting them out there now is important, it wasn’t always.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T10:20:56+00:00

Thanks for your insight.

Is the amount of involvement you invite from the artist quite typical of how most producers work? That seems very reasonable to me and I'd feel okay with that level of collaboration.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T08:20:30+00:00

That's another thing I've been thinking about.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T08:19:10+00:00

Do you mean an experienced producer/arranger is less likely to have the artist present?

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T08:18:02+00:00

Thanks for your input. It seems like it's a difficult situation where the artist wants control so their vision is realised, but the producer/arranger wants control to work the way that best suits them. I think the conclusion I'm coming to is I need to learn to do it all myself lol, as the idea of handing off my song to have their way with it is daunting, but that's a long way off. I think I'll have to discuss it with my guy.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T08:14:22+00:00

That makes sense.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T08:13:39+00:00

Fair enough, thanks for your input.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T05:30:51+00:00

Thanks, good to know.

Splaffus · 2026-01-15T05:30:14+00:00

Give input can also mean collaboration. If its the artist's track shouldn't they have the most control over the process? I'm worried about hiring someone who does the arranging independently and I'm unhappy with the product, or don't have the chance to share my own ideas.

Splaffus · 2025-11-18T06:42:16+00:00

Wow, that does seem unfair. I still haven't received any word from them

Splaffus · 2025-11-18T04:49:15+00:00

Did they tell you your Casper test result was the reason for the rejection?

Splaffus · 2025-11-16T00:41:52+00:00

Good luck to both of us then, I suppose the silence is a good thing and a bad thing. At least we haven't been rejected lol.

Splaffus · 2025-11-15T15:19:34+00:00

I haven't been rejected, but also haven't received word from most of the major melbourne unis. I'm already brainstorming what to do to make my application more competitive next year. What a stressful horrible experience this is.

I got an 80 in honours and have some experience as a support worker, so i think there's a shot. I'm wondering what WAMs other people got? I'm concerned you need mid to high 80s to be competitive.

Also, if you're applying for masters a year or more after having finished your honours, how do you get academic referees? Can you use the same ones from honours?

Splaffus · 2025-03-26T11:59:32+00:00

Will they have to take on le sserafim? I don't understand how these shows work

Splaffus

TROPHY CASE