Forums - Music techology
Subject: Dealing with writer's block
Original Message Date: 16-Mar-00 @ 10:35 AM - Dealing with writer's block
How do you guys deal with this? Since I'm relatively a newbie it's frustrating. Half the time I can't come up with something I feel "worthy" of even saving, and the other half of the time I come back like a day later, listen to it and go "Shit! this is crap!" It's the most frustrating thing. Am I being too critical? Should I just lay down a track i'm not overly happy with just to get the experience? help me out here plz.
Thanks,
Rob
(I keep my drum machine, IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!)
Message 11/25 16-Mar-00 @ 05:01 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
The only problem is when you find and old, archived but unfinished track, realise how great it was and then try to find the f@*!ing MIDI files/samples/patches/FX you made it with!
Guess I'm not very organised, but even then just listening to old stuff can add oil to the music machine.
An interesting avenue to go down when you are at a geniune block is to try and recreate (OK, copy) some of your favourite artist's tracks. Doing this completely eliminates the 'I've got to come up with something!!!' urgency. You're under no pressure to create rhythms, harmonies, grooves and melodies - they've all been done so you can just be using your gear in a different way, but making music all the same. And then what happens? The material you're creating suggests new ideas and new directions, and the track you were recreating develops into one of your own invention, albeit under direct inspiration.
Message 12/25 16-Mar-00 @ 05:03 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
meaning if you're used to writing from the drums up, start with the melody. or try some different software. or a change of scenery. when it comes to lyric writing, i always have to go to the park or mall or somewhere - i get so claustrophobic in this damn bedroom all the time. if you work in a different pattern it's easier to write different patterns than what you're used to.
also, a good epic movie always helps me transcend the mundane. gives me a kind of purpose, y' know? 'excalibur', anyone?
Message 13/25 16-Mar-00 @ 07:13 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
Message 14/25 16-Mar-00 @ 08:28 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
I also go toy with this demo of Rebirth...it's a total crap production tool (my opinion, I know)...but you can instantly turn out mindless trance jams on it for like 2 hours...that'll get the crap out of my system everytime...sometimes it settles my desire to work as well...
I just try to remember that i don't HAVE to work on music every waking moment. Sometimes it's good for the "ol' Muse" to remember who's boss...eh?
Also: I think everbody I know that makes even decent trax (some folks on this site included) thinks their own stuff is crap! I'll be in heaven and after a gig I'll go up to the musician or DJ and they think their music's so LAME! Every time...It's that way with all kinds of creativity...it's hard for us to except that what we're doing is good music! Let some friends hear your trax! They may be dishonest if you ask for opinions but the way to tell what they really think is to wait for them to bring it up again. If someone comes up out of the blue and says, "I like your trax!" Thats truth!!!
Message 16/25 16-Mar-00 @ 09:10 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
Message 17/25 16-Mar-00 @ 11:32 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
I don't think any of us should spend too much time dwelling on how bad our music is. It ain't bad. That's a trick our minds play on us too. It's like "Caruso's Manicotti" (do I hear a name for my next track? woohoo!)
Message 18/25 16-Mar-00 @ 11:36 PM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
Message 19/25 17-Mar-00 @ 12:11 AM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
or attempt to get a pet monkey. i think i would love to hear monkey-inspired rhythms.. i like to bow hunt grizzly bear, up in alaska myself
Message 20/25 17-Mar-00 @ 12:32 AM - RE: Dealing with writer's block
You have to reach that place , like the painter with knife in hand ready to slash the canvas thats taken months to create. It doesnt have to be that dramatic, just recognize that you may have to go through it, once you do you will almost enjoy it, because you know that soon, youll come out of it.
Its a journey!
Pages: 1 2 3
There are 25 total messages for this topic
Reply to Thread
You need to register/login to use the forum.
Click here to Signup or Login !
[you'll be brought right back to this point after signing up]
Back to Forum