Is Getting Production Tutoring or Mentoring Worth It? What Should You Look For? (5 Things You Should Always Do Before Handing Over Your Money)
Is Getting Production Tutoring or Mentoring Worth It? What Should You Look For? (5 Things You Should Always Do Before Handing Over Your Money)
You've probably seen the barrage of DnB Academy ads, or heard about artists offering 1-on-1 tuition, and wondered whether they could genuinely help you, or whether it'd just be a waste of your hard-earned money. It's a fair question. The world of teaching and coaching is rife with false claims and people who'll happily take your cash without delivering real results.
So, is tutoring or mentoring right for you? And if so, how do you choose the right person?
Think About Your Time
How fast do you want to progress?
The right tutor can save you years of trial and error. They've been where you are, they know the pitfalls, and they know exactly what you need to focus on to improve. If you'd rather not spend years trying to figure it all out on your own, tutoring is probably a good fit.
How much time do you actually have for music?
If you're like most people, you're juggling a full or part-time job, maybe studying, and squeezing music in at nights or on weekends. If you've only got 2-3 hours a week to dedicate to it, weekly sessions probably aren't the smartest move. You might get more out of meeting once a month or fortnight instead, giving yourself time to apply what you've learned and make real progress between sessions.
Check Their Credibility
Have they actually produced and released music at a professional level?
You wouldn't hire a second-hand car salesman to sell your house, so why learn from someone who can't make good music themselves? It sounds obvious, but there are plenty of cowboys out there. Always make sure whoever you're learning from has released music recently, and that it's genuinely up to a high standard.
What do their reviews look like?
Sites like Trustpilot are a solid place to find unbiased feedback from past and current students. Do your homework before you commit to anything.
3. Know What You Want to Achieve
What do you actually want to learn or improve on?
Having clearly defined goals makes it much easier to track your progress. How do you know how far you've come if you didn't know where you were going in the first place? With the right objectives in place, you'll be able to see and hear the improvements and know you're getting closer to where you want to be.
That said, if you're genuinely not sure what you need to work on, that's fine too. Any good production tutor should be able to help you identify where you're falling short and put a plan together from there.
4. Make Sure the Sessions Are Tailored to You
Every producer is at a different level. What you need help with is probably completely different to what someone else needs, so why would you both be given the same session? If you want to get real value for your time and money, the sessions need to be built around you. You don't want to be sitting through topics you've already covered, or ones you're not ready for yet.
5. Ask Around Before You Commit
Don't just go with the first person you come across. Unless you're completely certain they're the right fit, speak to a few others first. Three or four is a good number. The more informed you are, the better your decision will be.
I hope this has answered some of your questions around production tutoring & mentoring & I hope you now feel more equipped to make your decision.
If you have any questions or would like me to check the credibility of anyone you come across, my email inbox is always open.
Max Brighouse,
