Why Your First 50 Songs Shouldn’t Be Perfect (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

When you're just starting out as a music producer, it’s easy to fall into the perfection trap.

You think every track you release should sound radio-ready. Every mix needs to slap. Every snare must hit just right. But here's the truth most pros will tell you (once they’re being honest):

Your first 50 songs are not supposed to be perfect — they’re supposed to teach you.

So if you’ve been stuck tweaking that same project file for weeks... let’s change that. This blog breaks down why your early songs should be messy, how that helps you grow, and what to focus on instead

Perfection Is Slowing You Down

Here’s what perfectionism does to beginner producers:

1. You release fewer songs because nothing feels "ready"
2. You learn slower because you’re not finishing
3. You start to doubt your skills — because progress feels invisible

Truth Bomb: You don’t get better by thinking about music. You get better by making more music.

The fastest way to grow? Make, finish, release, repeat.

What Your First 50 Songs Are Actually For

Your early songs are like workouts — they’re reps that build your skillset.

Each finished track teaches you something:

1. How to use your DAW without second-guessing every step
2. How to finish faster, even when the idea isn’t “perfect”
3. What genres and sounds you naturally lean toward
4. How to arrange better, mix better, and hear with more clarity
5. How to become confident enough to release your work publicly

Every track = one small upgrade to your future sound.

Done Is Better Than Perfect

Waiting for “perfect” before finishing your track is like waiting to get fit before going to the gym.

Here’s what to do instead:

1. Set a deadline. One song per week is a great starting point.
2. Bounce your song even if it’s not ‘there yet.’ You’ll improve with each one.
3. Learn one thing per track. Try a new plugin, technique, or genre every time.

Pro Tip: Call each track a “draft” or “beat experiment” — not your “official debut.” That mindset shift alone removes the pressure to be flawless.

Your 51st Song Will Be Fire (Because the First 50 Weren’t)

Here’s where things get exciting.

After about 50 finished tracks, something shifts:

1. You’re way faster at building ideas
2. You’ve developed go-to sounds and workflows
3. Your mixes start to feel right
4. You stop second-guessing and start expressing

And maybe... just maybe… that 51st track? It’ll be the one that turns heads. But it wouldn’t exist without the 50 before it.

How to Stay Consistent Without Burning Out

Let’s be real: consistency is hard. Life gets in the way. So here’s how to stay on track:

1. Set a simple weekly goal (1 track, 1 idea, 1 bounce)
2. Use templates to speed up workflow
3. Don’t delete bad projects — save them as sketches
4. Collaborate to bring new energy into your process
5. Take breaks when needed — but always come back

Bonus Tip: Join communities, Discord servers, or mentorship programs. Accountability helps more than motivation.

Want to Get Better, Faster?

At Lost Stories Academy, we don’t just teach theory — we push you to practice, release, and evolve.

Whether you're making your 1st song or your 51st, our courses help you:

1. Get structured feedback on your music
2. Speed up your creative process
3. Build confidence with mentorship and peer support

👉 Check out our Music Production Courses to stop overthinking and start finishing.

Let’s turn your messy drafts into signature sounds.