Is it normal to take a month to finish a song?

This article will discuss how long it takes to finish a song and if it’s normal to take a month-long to complete your song. 

Every artist and every song is unique. In today’s competitive content-driven industry, artists often worry about regularly putting their work out there and being swift with their creative process and release cycles. However, creativity is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon and is different for everyone.

For some artists, clocking creativity do great wonders, and for some not. So we will talk about various aspects of clocking your song-making process. Whether you’re a new music producer or an experienced songwriter, I hope this article answers and clarifies your questions. Let’s get started.

Is it normal to take a month to finish a song?

It’s absolutely normal to take a month and even longer or lesser time to complete a song. Finishing a song has several steps, including songwriting, recording, production, mixing-mastering, etc., all of which are part of a creative process that should ideally see no boundaries of time.

Of course, you cannot take too long to complete a song because artists have professional and personal deadlines to meet. You could be creating a song for a film or a web series, which may adhere you to follow a deadline, or it could be a deadline you or your team set.

Secondly, the context also matters. What genre and style of song are you creating? What’s your workflow like? For example, a rapper or a hip-hop/pop artist can save multiple steps in production if they buy a beat online.

After that, you only have to record vocals and get them mixed-mastered. On the other hand, many producers can finish up a beat and mix-master in a couple of days. Then there are AI artists who run their ideas through different algorithms and get a song done in a few minutes. On one area of the spectrum lies Lofi producers who can create relaxing and chilled-out tracks in a few hours.

Similarly, many artists can have different workflows. For instance, you could be the artist who runs your projects through different people for feedback and additional work to fine-tune your tracks. Many A&Rs & artists on major labels have multiple producers and songwriters working on a single track.

There could be one producer just for drums, another for chord writing and guitars, a vocal producer, a melody engineer for vocal tuning, and so on. That is why record labels and A&Rs take longer to complete songs. To sum it up, no one formula fits for everyone. As an artist, you must discover and re-discover your process and be flexible enough to break a few rules to see where it takes you.

How long does it take to finish a song?

If we are to quantify it, just for the article’s sake. It typically takes about a month to finish a pop, EDM, and hip-hop record. That could involve a week of songwriting, production, and recording, followed by a week of fine-tuning, comping, and sleeping on the track to assess it, followed by a week of mixing and tweaking and doing revisions, and finally mastering it for radio, streaming, social media, etc.

Note that this is just a tentative timeline, and many factors may influence the time it takes to complete a song. Here are some key points to consider:

• Time Frame Variations
  Some experienced mixing engineers, for example, have mentioned taking an average of 30 hours to complete the mixdown of a track. On the other hand, a producer on Reddit mentioned that it typically takes them at least eight hours to finish an entire song, including composition, arranging, sound design, mixing, and mastering.
  Another Reddit user mentioned that it seemed to take them an extremely long time, around a month, to finish a song.
• Individual Experience
  The time required to finish a song can also be influenced by an individual’s experience and skill level. Seasoned professionals may be able to complete a song more quickly due to their familiarity with the process and their honed abilities. However, as a newcomer to music production, it is common to take more time to complete a song as you learn and develop your skills.
• Creative Process
  Songwriting is a creative endeavor, and the creative process can be unpredictable. Some artists may prefer to work on a song over an extended period, allowing ideas to develop and mature gradually. Others may work more intensively, completing a song in a shorter timeframe. The approach to songwriting can vary greatly between individuals and is often influenced by personal preferences and artistic vision.
• The complexity of the Song
  The song’s complexity plays a significant role in the time it takes to complete it. Genres like orchestral compositions or progressive rock may involve intricate arrangements, extensive instrumentation, and detailed production, which can naturally extend the time needed to finish a song. In contrast, simpler genres like punk rock or folk may have more straightforward arrangements and require less time.
• Production Techniques
  The chosen production techniques and methods can also influence the time it takes to finish a song. Some artists may prefer a more minimalistic approach, focusing on capturing raw performances, while others may employ complex layering, sound design, and extensive editing, which can extend the production time.
  Similarly, recording instruments is more time-intensive as compared to programming instruments.
• Songwriting Challenges
  Songwriters often face challenges when completing their songs, such as getting stuck at certain sections or struggling to convey their intended message. These challenges can affect the time it takes to finish a song across all genres and styles.

How long is too long for a song?

Anything longer than a year could be considered too long for a song. Your song is your baby; for it to grow, mature, and blossom, any amount of time is less. However, being a part of a deadline and productivity-driven industry, it’s important to have set timelines for yourself.

Moreover, taking too long on a song may lead to overthinking, a saturation of fresh ideas, or may take away the emotional core or soul of the song. Besides, in this day and age, ideas get too old too fast due to changing trends and rapidly evolving soundscapes. Consider setting deadlines, as they could positively impact your creativity.

That being said, many factors and challenges could lead to the song getting delayed. Sometimes that can benefit the song, and many times not. Consider the following factors that you may face during your song-creation journey:

• Perfectionism
  Striving for perfection can often extend the time required to finish a song. While it’s important to aim for quality, getting caught up in an endless pursuit of perfection may hinder progress.
• Song Length
  The song’s length can influence the time it takes to complete it. Longer songs may require more sections, intricate transitions, or extended instrumental solos, contributing to a longer creation process.
• Creative Blocks
  Songwriters may face periods of creative blocks or lack of inspiration, which can delay the completion of a song. Overcoming these blocks or seeking inspiration can help move the process forward.
• Iterative Process
  Songwriting often involves iterative writing, revising, and refining cycles. Going through multiple iterations can contribute to a longer overall timeline.
• Production Complexity
  The level of production complexity, including recording, arranging, mixing, and mastering, can impact the time required to finish a song. Intricate production techniques or elaborate post-production processes may extend the timeline.
• Collaboration
  Collaborating with other songwriters or musicians can introduce additional dynamics to the creative process. Coordinating schedules, merging different ideas, and achieving a cohesive vision may require more time.
• External Commitments
  Songwriters may have other personal or professional commitments that limit the time they can allocate to songwriting. Balancing these commitments can affect the overall timeline for completing a song.
• Personal Goals
  Individual goals and expectations play a role in determining how long it is too long to finish a song. Some songwriters may prioritize timely releases, while others may focus more on crafting a specific vision, regardless of the time it takes.

How to complete songs faster?

I suggest you see your journey as an artist/producer/songwriter in the longer term than a single song. That involves working backward, planning, setting deadlines, having a content calendar, working towards a final goal, and sticking to the disciplines and targets you set.

For example, you can set a rule to release a song every month, two months, or two weeks, whatever suits you. Some songs may finish in a jiff, and some may take forever. However, giving that song the time and space it requires to mature and grow is important. But if you plan and have a stack of songs ready in advance, that will take the pressure off you to complete any particular songs to meet deadlines.

To complete songs faster, here are step-by-step pointers that can help streamline the process:

• Establish a Workflow
  Develop a consistent workflow or system that works for you. That can include creating a routine, setting aside dedicated time for songwriting, and organizing your workspace.
• Start with a Clear Vision
  Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with the song. Define the genre, mood, and direction to guide creative decisions. You can use vision boards and productivity apps like Notions, set reminders, and follow a calendar.
• Focus on Incremental Steps
  Break down the songwriting process into smaller tasks. Start with a melody, chord progression, or drum pattern and gradually build upon it.
• Build Horizontally Before Vertically
  Work on multiple song sections simultaneously instead of diving deep into one section. That approach allows you to develop a cohesive structure faster.
• Eliminate Distractions
  Minimize distractions during your songwriting sessions. Create a conducive environment, turn off notifications, and focus solely on the task.
• Embrace Imperfection
  Don’t get caught up in pursuing perfection from the start. Accept that songs can evolve and improve over time. It’s better to have a completed song that you can refine later than an unfinished one.

• Collaborate with Others
  Consider collaborating with other songwriters or musicians. Collaboration can bring fresh perspectives, accelerate the creative process, and generate new ideas.
• Team and communication
  When working with mixing engineers, visual artists, etc., it’s important to communicate effectively with them that clarifies deadlines and the feel you want. You can use tools like Zoom, Audiomovers ListenTo, etc., for working remotely, or you can work with them in the studio.
  Also, it’s essential to work with people as good or better than you, both creatively and work-ethic-wise, to ensure efficiency and growth.
• Set Deadlines
  Establish realistic deadlines for completing different stages of the song. That helps maintain focus and discipline and gives you a sense of urgency, which may drive you in a positive direction.
• Learn from Reference Tracks
  Use reference tracks in your desired genre to guide your decisions during the mixing and mastering stages. Analyze their arrangement, sound quality, and overall structure to enhance your songs.
• Work on Multiple Projects Simultaneously
  Work on multiple projects simultaneously instead of focusing solely on one song at a time. This approach lets you keep the creative momentum going and avoid getting stuck on one particular song. When you feel stuck or need a break from one project, you can switch to another and return with a fresh perspective.
• Maintain a Content Calendar
  Establish a content calendar to schedule your songwriting, production, and release activities. This calendar helps you visualize your upcoming projects, deadlines, and promotional efforts. You can allocate time and resources efficiently by having a clear overview of your schedule.
• Have 3-4 Songs Ready in Advance
  Aim to have a backlog of 3-4 completed songs ready for the next stages, such as mixing, mastering, or release. This buffer of finished songs ensures that you always have material to work on, reducing any potential downtime or creative blocks. It lets you view your catalog and make strategic decisions about sequencing, album releases, or thematic cohesion.

Conclusion