Songwriter vs. Producer (6 differences + 6 Similarities)
I’ve been a songwriter my whole life. It feels comfortable and making music on my guitar feels pretty intuitive. But when I first started producing music in my computer, it was awkward…like starting over in many ways.
So this post explores what it means to be a songwriter vs. producer.
Of course, there is a lot of overlap here, for sure, but there’s also a lot of separation.
Understanding the different aspects that each of these roles carry will definitely support a smoother musical process overall.
But if you’re like me (and many others), you may decide after reading that you’d like to handle or pursue both roles.
So let’s wrap up this intro and just dive in. Let’s start with some definitions.
What Is A Songwriter vs. Music Producer? Definitions
Defining the things we’re talking about is a reasonable first step.
It can feel relatively obvious what a music producer or songwriter is. But creating distinct definitions can be a bit tricky actually. So let’s start here.
A songwriter is someone who writes, conceptualizes and composes music. Some of their responsibilities include:
Writing the music – lyrics, melodies, composition, etc.
Playing live shows (often, but not always)
Communicating their style, vision and musical goals
Honing their craft
Often, recording and sending vocal stems to producers (unless recording in studio)
A music producer is someone who records and produces music, helping guide a musician in turning their vision into reality. Some of their responsibilities include:
Fine-tuning ideas
Offering suggestions and alternative directions
Turning a songwriter’s vision and goals into reality
Producing and mixing professional, “radio-ready” products
Sound selection and design
There’s definitely a lot of mutualism between these two roles. That is, knowing one makes you stronger at the other.
They both require a high skill level with a keen focus on creativity.
So let’s unpack things further. The next two sections will explore the core differences and similarities between a songwriter and a producer.
And as a singer-songwriter turned music producer myself, I can tell you firsthand that these are the things that I felt most personally.
Now let’s get it.
Songwriter vs. Producer (6 Differences)
Let’s review the main differences between a singer-songwriter and a music producer.
The ideas here are assuming the roles are separate. That is, I handle both sides of producing and songwriting – and many producers do this also.
But these are the things I’ve noticed as some differences in technical titles and role specifics.
The differences are not 100% – there are always exceptions. So let’s just agree these are averages.
But let me know in the comments if you agree with these (or if you have any other ideas)!
1. Producers Use More Software to Make Music
When I first started watching music producers do their thing, the level of tech wizardry felt overwhelming.
Because my guitar? That’s intuitive and natural for me. After all, it had been my main mode of making music since I was in junior high.
So this was one of the first – and biggest – differences I felt when going from songwriter to producer.
Again, I’m not saying that producers don’t use traditional instruments (or that songwriters can’t produce music).
This is just my experience and observation in general.
2. Songwriters Perform Music Live
Producers don’t generally play their work live – most often because they’re helping other performing artists to realize their music.
Of course, there are caveats and many producers have experience playing live shows.
But at the core of our definitions here, producers spend their time in the studio, on their computers and working with their software and tools.
Songwriters definitely spend time in the studio, for sure. But they also (tend to) perform their music live. Although, I do believe things are expanding in exciting ways, as more online opportunities open up for different musical applications and money-making options.
But we’ll save that discussion for another day.
3. Producers Focus More On the Technicals
I’m not saying that as songwriters, we don’t pay attention to things like sound selection, mic type or production dynamics.
But, I can say as a fledgling producer, it’s something I now give way more thought and time to figuring out.
Sound design is a bit of an art in itself — and quite separate from songwriting process.
From layering instruments, to effects processing and analyzing frequencies as to not get a muddy mix or leaving enough room for your vocals to shine.
Simple truth, I never thought about those things as a songwriter.
4. Songwriters Create the Core
As a songwriter, I often have the core of a song figured out.
Even though it may change a lot during the production and fine-tuning process, many of the core melodies and direction will remain.
Again, I’m not saying that producers don’t write lyrics or melodies – obviously they’re amazing at those things.
But more often, in a songwriter-producer collaboration, the producer will focus more on supporting and guiding an artist, helping them to achieve vision.
5. Producers Will Offer Feedback + Guide Songwriters
As a songwriter, I’m always hyper focused on writing.
Often, I move on to new ideas before actually finishing most (if you’re a songwriter, you know what I’m talking about).
So it can be hard to be objective and work past motivation issues when inspiration falls away.
Producers are fantastic cowriters in this way.
Part of their work is in helping songwriters with lyric direction, phonology and melodic evolution to take a song to the next level.
For me, I see songwriting as the most viable product.
And the producer is like the market, the customers — providing valuable feedback to fine-tune the project.
6. Songwriters and Producers May Pursue Different Work
I’ve noticed songwriters and producers pursue different work opportunities.
For example, producers take on songwriters as clients and produce music (I know, duh.). But they also create digital products like sample libraries or beat loops.
Songwriters who exclusively write music (but outsource the production part) may not tap into these income sources.
So their work styles may include things like playing live shows, selling merchandise, collecting royalties for sync placements, teaching and taking on clients.
Again, as I said above, the opportunities for both producers and songwriters is evolving in exciting ways – so keep an eye on this, for sure.
For example, I’m a songwriter and a producer and I frame my blog as an creative entrepreneurial endeavor.
Songwriter vs. Producer (6 similarities)
Songwriters and producers work together to create and finish products.
Whether you do both or you sway one way more than the other, there are moments of overlap.
So here are the top similarities I notice between songwriters and producers.
1. Both Hear the Potential of An Idea
Both songwriters and producers have a gift for hearing the potential of a simple, underdeveloped idea.
We can hear the finish line – what it could be. We’re dreamers and creating the script far before it’s ever recorded.
So this is one of the biggest similarities – you know, recording quick voice memos of ideas to develop later or hearing a potential future for a quiet moment or sound.
2. Both Have An Appreciation for the Nuances
As listeners, it’s easy to miss some of the finer nuances of a song.
They’re subtle and sometimes hard to even hear. But their impact is felt deeply by the musician and producer.
When I’m writing, it could be the certain way I bend a note. When I’m producing, it could be that certain quiet ear candy moment that lasts less than a second.
3. Both Require A High Degree of Skill + Creativity
This one is slightly obvious, but worth mentioning.
I think there’s this view that one is better, or more talented than the other. For example, there’s a music stereotype that writing music in a computer are somehow less talented, or not “real” musicians.
So not true. The level of skill and creativity required to make music – whether your instrument is a guitar or a computer – is high. We cannot ignore this fact.
4. Both Understand the Fundamentals of Music Theory
While modern technology and software make it much easier to get by without too much music theory knowledge, it’s still a common thread.
Great producers will understand how to make chords sound deeper and fuller (for example, using inversions).
And songwriters will understand which melodies and harmonies to layer on top of their progressions.
It’s something you don’t need to go to school for – and you don’t even need to know the technical terms for the knowledge (I don’t).
But it’s something both great songwriters and producers know or inherently understand.
5. Both Are Musicians
This similarity echoes #3 slightly.
But yes, both songwriters and producers are musicians. The approach, technical skill set and applications may differ, but they’re both making music.
Producers are talented musicians. And songwriters are, naturally, also talented musicians.
6. Both Are Stronger Together Than Apart
Yes, it’s true – many songwriters are (or become producers) and many producers were songwriters first.
Still, collaboration makes us stronger. Especially with the songwriter-producer relationship is this apparent.
Finding the right producer for your song can elevate your music. And working with the right artist can boost your producer brand.
Producers and Getting Music Credit: What’s Your Take?
I thought I’d round out this post by leaving you with a question to ponder.
What’s your take on producers receiving song credits? Should credit be equally shared, or based on the level of impact their ideas had? Or some other system?
Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Otherwise, thanks for stopping by today – stay awesome and do awesome things.
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