Does this route make sense for an aspiring producer?

[Whosteen]

Sometime in the future I plan to produce rap/hip hop beats using a digital audio workstation (Reason or Logic Pro) and a 61 key MIDI keyboard. My path begins with learning how to play a regular 61 key keyboard of course. I'm trying to figure out if that route makes sense for people that are currently producers, and also, how much time should I spend on the regular 61 key keyboard and what level of proficiency should I be at before I go out and actually buy the MIDI keyboard and start making beats? Thank you.

[illusiveluminance]

You should learn a little theory, maybe learn chords and scales with the piano route. Depends also what type of music you want to create. But as far as just making music I would focus on the theory first. Everything falls into place with that. I use an M-Audio Trigger Finger and an MPC as well as a keyboard. You should experiment around to see what fits your style.

[macbeat]

Learn how to use Logic Pro first. There are plenty of producers out there that don't know how to play ANY instruments. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't learn, but get some books on scales and chord progressions and you'll be fine.

And as far as Logic Pro is concerned, pick up a copy of Apple Pro Training Series Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9. I seriously cannot recommend that book enough. It is EXCELLENT and will take you from knowing nothing about Logic to actually making music by the end of the book. It is written in a non technical and easy to read fashion and includes a DVD with files that will allow you to follow along with each exercise in every chapter.

If you put some effort into the book you will know how to use Logic Pro in like 3 or 4 days depending on how serious you are.

Learning how to play an instrument professionally takes years, there just isn't a way of getting around that unless you're Mozart or Beethoven.