Music Producer Job Description

Name: Conrad Askland

Job Title: Freelance Composer, Concert Pianist and Music Producer/Engineer

Job Description: I perform piano concerts, work freelance as a musical director and composer, producing and or mixing artists' songs.

Hours (per week): 70 - 80 hours on average. Some weeks I will put in over 100 hours of work.

What was your first job? My first paying job was as a child singing for the Seattle Opera Company.

What inspired you to choose this particular career? I was trained in music at a very young age. I made a commitment to music when I was 9 years old and have never looked back.

What qualifications are needed to work in this field? None. If people like your work they pay you, if they don't, well..... Most music producers that have long careers are well schooled in traditional music practices.

What is the best aspect about your job? Creating new music the world has never heard before, and being appreciated for it. Good music has a small sense of immortality in it.

What are the worst aspects? Long hours which make it difficult to maintain relationships or to have a "balanced" life. When I first started out I got taken for a ride a lot, but not so much anymore.

How many years' experience do you have in this field? I've been working in music since I was 9, full time as a living since I was 17 and as a music producer since I was 22.

Are there many employment opportunities? It's almost all freelance. It takes a while to get a name for yourself. People talk about gravy gigs with big labels, but I've never seen them. Be ready to WORK A LOT OF HOURS! You also have to have a lot of persistence and patience.