In the latest installation of Fender’s Feedback series, hip hop artists/producers Ty Dolla $ign and Mac Miller discuss their musical journeys and the role that music production and songwriting has helped define their careers.

Featured in Episode 3 of the behind the scenes look, member of DJ Felli Fel’s The Americanos, rapper Ty Dolla $ign, discusses his commitment and fascination of creating his own music with a real instrument collection.

Inspired as a child by his father’s early west coast funk group, Ty recounts when he began to learn to play bass, saying:

When I first picked up my dad’s [bass], I couldn’t figure it out for real. So I [turned each one] to the note I wanted it to go to, and I played a bass line.

Mac Miller takes over the series’ episode 4 installation, citing his connection and creative process to live instruments as more of a mode of self-discovery. For the Pittsburgh native rapper, music has become a means of communicating without words.

In the video, the platinum-selling Miller says:

It’s nice not to have to talk to describe how you’re feeling. It’s nice to learn about yourself by, like sitting down, picking up a guitar, and just playing. It’s a whole entire journey of self-exploration. 

Checkout Mac Miller’s Feedback below: