For a music composition career in media, film, and television, one music acquire skills in audio beyond the ability to write music and play an instrument. Talent in songwriting and performance are admirable abilities but only a small part of the skill set necessary to be a career composer. Any newcomer looking to forge a path as a paid music composer must learn the following vital music and audio skills.

1. Learn music theory and be familiar with scales, tempos, and time signatures. Being able to play the guitar or piano is an admirable achievement, but knowing the theory behind the music will allow you to modify or elaborate on the piece in order to accommodate differing time lengths or other sound design.

2. Be familiar with all musical genres so that you are not limited in your work.. Its fine to have a distinct style or favorite type of music, but in order to be a professional composer for media one needs the knowledge and flexibility to compose in all genres since it is impossible to predict what a client may request. No one wants a composer who says that they cannot write something.

3. Purchase and learn to use a DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation. You will be able to record and edit your music whenever you like by using any of the plentiful software DAWs on the market, vital skills under a strict deadlines for a working composer.

5. Become a master mixer of your music. In the long run, it is inefficient and costly to pay some other studio or audio engineer to mix your tracks. Save money and time by studying audio production and become the fastest composer on the block.

5. Study audio mastering. Just like mixing, seeking out another studio or person to master your completed tracks costs time and money. Learn audio mastering in classes or solo to bring out the beauty and strength of your music and create loyal and happy clients.

6. Learn the legal language of music licensing. A familiarity with the legal aspects of music licensing will allow you to respond intelligently and swiftly to any proposals by eager clients who are ready to pay you for your work.

The above skills will allow an aspiring music composer to acquire the versatility, efficiency, and professionalism necessary in the competitive arena of audio production for media.