The Quincy Jones Legacy Series Q on Producing: The Soul and Science of Mastering Music and Work | Music Production Guide with DVD | Essential Book for Producers and Musicians

by Bill Gibson, Quincy Jones

(Book). The first entry in a multivolume set that will be essential reading for aspiring producers and artists everywhere, Q on Producing presents the master's approach to making music. Told to and compiled by author and audio expert Bill Gibson, Quincy's observations, culled from over a year of in-depth interviews, are collected and presented in book form and on an accompanying DVD-ROM, providing an unparalleled course of instruction from one of the true legends of American music. Reaching back to his early successes, Quincy discusses the techniques learned as an arranger for such legendary performers as Count Basie and Ray Charles, as a touring bandleader, and as a young producer with his first pop successes. Coauthor Gibson, in chapters such as "Discovering Talent," "The Producer/Engineer Relationship," and "Tools for Success," outlines the many skills Quincy developed and broadened as he graduated to film and TV work, his solo recordings, and his game-changing albums with Michael Jackson, as well as more recent productions. With invaluable advice on subjects such as songwriting, scoring, and the modern music business to be expanded on in subsequent volumes Q on Producing provides the foundation for what is sure to be the most anticipated series of tutorials on music production ever created.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2010

Reviews

[pianogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it - it's a fun idea. However, it wasn't edited very well. There was a lot of repetition of facts and stories. And the DVD was just a rehash of the text - and not a good rehash. They should have just let Q talk and put the interviewer off screen.

[G Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

i will admit that i'm not a fan of most of the music he produced. yet i can't argue with the results. a great primer.

[Randall Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

”It’s the subconscious mind you have to engage.” “It can’t be loud unless it gets soft.” “The loudest and most prominent instrument in the orchestra is the piccolo.” Slam two unusual instruments together, like flugelhorn with alto flute, or a baritone sax with a piccolo, you then get a third sound. “There’s just one tempo that is right.” “I’ve always used a click track. It’s the only way you can really make sure that you can edit between takes or even within the same take.” Some great advice from Q. I read this book because Quincy wrote two of the finest film soundtracks ever written: The Hot Rock with Robert Redford and Dollars with Warren Beatty and I loved Soul Bossa Nova. Too bad he didn’t mention either amazing soundtrack. But I learned that two of my biggest influences were Quincy’s biggest influences too: Krzysztof Penderecki and Witold Lutoslawski. You do learn what a producer does here and get a few pertinent stories about Aretha and Michael being super hard workers but you have to dig deep to glean heavier stuff from this book. Q is no question musically brilliant but he is verbally a bit tight-lipped here with the hard-core info and thus not offering here the last word on producing records. Now if only Manfred Eicher, Sonny Burke, or Berry Gordy would write that book…

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read!