The CV of 21st-century classical musicians usually includes a CD—a recording in which the performer must take an active role in the process, from planning the programme to finding the right production. Guitarists are no exception, and since their instrument has its own particular characteristics, the task of recording my first album can become a life-changing process.
That was my case. The right time to record my first album, Brisas, preludes and tientos for guitar, came when I had already found a job I liked. My career as a concert artist was active, and I was going through a calm period in my personal life. I remember that when the studio recording ended, I felt exhausted but satisfied. When I held the album in my hands, I knew I’d made the right choice. That final feeling is precisely what has driven me to explain here the most important steps in the process.
Step 1: Choose the repertoire
This was a complicated decision that took me a long time. I had seen and listened to many guitar albums that I liked, but when I thought about the works they included and put myself in the listener’s shoes, I felt they were often repeated. So I decided to go for new repertoire, got in touch with a composer—David del Puerto in my case—and together we put the programme together. That’s why
my recommendation here is originality, to base your album’s goal on the new value it brings to the instrument.
Step 2: Choose the recording studio
Although choosing the studio took me less time, I later realised it’s a fundamental part of the process. I considered two
options: working with a major label or with a smaller one. The freedom to make decisions led me to choose the latter. A studio in Castellón, Rockway studios, whose record label is JSM Records. They welcomed me at the beginning of summer, and to this day I’m still grateful
for every piece of advice and every word of support I received there. If the studio has specialists in your instrument—or at least in your instrument’s family—the work will be easier and the result will benefit.
Step 3: Promotion
It’s the third part of the process, and you need to arrive with energy. After the effort required to get the recording machinery moving, if the CD isn’t promoted, it risks ending up in a drawer. Nowadays, social media and digital outlets help a lot and can reduce costs. Getting in touch with companies that place and circulate the different tracks online and presenting the album at a public event are the first steps you should take. After that, it will depend directly on your budget. Here’s an example of what mine sounds like.
Although there are many more decisions to make when recording an album, these three steps cover most of them. As for the time period the whole process will take, it varies a lot, but typically the project-definition stage takes longer, and it’s usually between 5 and 7 months from recording to having it in your hands—though it will depend directly on the programme you’ve chosen and how prepared you are. It’s not full-time; you’ll be able to keep working, if that’s your case, or preparing other projects.
If it’s an idea that’s been on your mind, I encourage you to do it. The result will pleasantly surprise you, and your CV as a musician will benefit greatly. The effort is worth it!
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