Original Message                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  10:35 AM   -   Dealing with writer's block

rak3889

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Ok so I've got some time set aside to work on tunes. I've got my gear set-up the way i like it. Now lets lay down a nice simple bass line or drum pattern to get things started. As I start to program a certain feeling begins to overwhelm me: "Nothing is coming. This is all crap!"

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!)

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Message 11/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  05:01 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

johnny

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Yeah, I've gone back to old and forgotten tracks committed to minidisc (not that old then) as evaluation recordings.

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.

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Message 12/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  05:03 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

paleblueice

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try changing perspectives.

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?

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Message 13/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  07:13 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

Ellipsis

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sit there and write as much as you can...even if it sucks, just keep going and going and going and going...until you are exhausted, then take a 2 day break....when that is over, you will feel refreshed, and ready to make good toons...also...concentrate on theory and more abstract concepts when you are having problems actually writing...

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Message 14/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  08:28 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

errata

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I program new sounds...play with samples...etc. It doesn't always have to be a finished track!

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!!!

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Message 15/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  09:05 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

oz.

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smoke a joint.

seriously.

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Message 16/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  09:10 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

Ellipsis

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errata...i 110% aggree with the desire to create better in your post...cause i think that many people whos stuff kicks the shit out of mine think their music is crap...and it is because of that that keeps them striving to get better...i think my stuff is crap compared to what i COULD make...what i ernvision...i am nowhere near what i want to make...so weather or not it on its own is any good doesnt really matter to me...i know i can make better stuff, i just havent yet...

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Message 17/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  11:32 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

sitar

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I put something I wrote 5 months ago into a new track and voila. What I do is lay down a track in midi. Then I go through synth patches until I find something that makes that track shine more. Then I go about molding that synth patch into something that is my own and works (hopefully) better. Then I usually wind up changing some of the notes in the track because that new patch shines more if there is maybe a syncopated note her or there or a different harmony. And it goes on like that. There are days when I hate what I thought was sounding good yesterday. I'll go back to another song sometimes. It's all about manipulating ourselves to keep going. Finding tricks that work for us to keep us interested. Starting a new piece maybe. Or reading my Logic manual for a relaxing break   That gets me back to writing a new bass line in about 30 seconds.

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!)

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Message 18/25                 Date: 16-Mar-00  @  11:36 PM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

sitar

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One more thing. I sit down at my rig with a great idea. A couple of hours later it doesn't sound so great. The idea actually was great but is not complete in it's 1st go around. Sometimes it's almost unrecognizable by the time I am finished with it days later. I have to get used to allowing for that process to play itself out.

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Message 19/25                 Date: 17-Mar-00  @  12:11 AM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

nobody

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you could always hire a clown.

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

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Message 20/25                 Date: 17-Mar-00  @  12:32 AM   -   RE: Dealing with writer's block

AietaD

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Well said sitar, you have to allow the thing to grow and change. You create a new patch or play a new chord combo on a familar patch....then that feeling comes of....yes Im onto something here, you add and add , cut and paste, sample and resynth....suddenly its all gone, not so, its just change, perhaps for the worst....its here where you dont stop, keep pushing....still crap...push some more....still crap....push even harder....cccrrraaaccckkk, it breaks and you have it, finally it all falls into place.

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!

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