{"id":18161,"date":"2024-01-11T13:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T18:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/?p=18161"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:47:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T21:47:56","slug":"challenges-level-up-music-production-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/splice.com\/blog\/challenges-level-up-music-production-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"12 challenges to level up your music production skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Illustration:<\/strong> Simone Noronha<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are the songs you\u2019re producing feeling a little stale?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It happens to the best of us\u2014we fall into a comfortable routine, settle for what we\u2019re already good at, and forget to challenge ourselves. While this is okay for a little while, over time it can cause you to feel creatively drained, unmotivated, and uninspired with your music production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to switch things up every now and then\u2014learn a new skill, try something different, and challenge yourself in ways you haven\u2019t before. Whether you\u2019re new at producing or you\u2019re a seasoned pro, there\u2019s always something new to discover when you step out of your comfort zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to discover 12 music production challenges you can try next time you sit down to produce. These will not only help you test and improve your skills, but will get you inspired and excited to make music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Recreate a song as closely as possible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cImitation is the sincerest form of flattery.\u201d It\u2019s also one of the best ways to learn from those who you admire and look up to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick a song that you really like and see how precisely you can recreate it. Use active listening<\/a> to break it down into parts, listening for every instrument, effect, and even automation.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you won\u2019t be able to make the song sound 100% like the original, but you\u2019ll learn a lot in the process and discover new techniques you can use in your own music. You might find yourself coming up with \u201chacks\u201d to create the same sound as the original producer without their tools and plugins\u2014this is perfectly fine and can even help you find your own unique way of doing things.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Play around with genres<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a go-to genre or style that you\u2019ve mastered, that\u2019s great, but there\u2019s so much you can learn from other genres, too. Chances are, you already listen to music in a few different genres. If you don\u2019t already, make an effort to listen carefully for what exactly makes them unique so you can try these elements in your own music production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To start, try recreating a song you like in a different genre. The challenge is keeping the melody the same, while changing the arrangement, embellishments, and production to give the song a different feel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you feel like you\u2019re comfortable producing in a few different genres, why not try making a song that combines two of them? The more unlikely they are to go together, the better\u2014you may even end up finding your own signature sound!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Produce a song using recorded sounds (but no instruments)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music production doesn\u2019t have to be limited to using instruments and samples. Our world is filled with all kinds of sounds, and many of them can make a pretty good substitute for your bass guitar or drum kit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get yourself a portable microphone (or just use your phone<\/a>), and record the sounds around you. These can be sounds made with household items<\/a> like dishes, paper, elastic bands\u2014anything you can get your hands on. Then, spend some time cleaning up the sounds, pitching them, and adding effects, so that you can use them in your production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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