I’m about 40 hours in for this upcoming project. I mentioned that it would be done last Friday, but I think I’ll take about two more days to really bring it out the fullest. All I have left to do now is brushing up on transitions, making a satisfactory song ending, recording my voice, and a little bit more editing — it feels too far, too close to the end. I don’t want to rush to complete it, instead I’ll do my best with it so that it’s worth listening to.
Outside of that, I’ve been sleeping less, reading books more, sipping tea & snacking on tangerines, and painting bench tiles (out of the blue, yes) for a community project. I think life has been comparatively mellow and pleasant. Also, I think this is around the time for seniors to be (almost) graduating, so my best wishes to you if you are. :’)
zuky:
He was a wise dude
So true. I can’t stand the ridiculous notion that “talent” is some mystical touch from the hand of god which anoints a special few and by-passes the rest of us commoners. Everybody is good at something, usually many things, so all that matters is what you choose to focus on and practice and cultivate within yourself. Talent is a pursued interest.
The past four days have been sort of productive, I’ve been taking small steps to write out a song. So far this is how I’m approaching this songwriting process, it may also give you an idea on how to start writing:
On my first day, I started out with writing out one verse, each line containing five syllables of rhymed words. There was no melody at this point, just a basic structure and an overarching theme.
the most inspirational thing anybody ever said to me was “you’re not going to make it unless you’re the best, so why don’t you be the best?”
and it really hit me when he said that that being ‘the best’ was something I could control; I just had to do the work. And work’s not so bad once you realize that your goal’s actually attainable in the first place.
I think that while it’s a possible goal (of being ‘the best’), that’s also setting yourself off on a self destructive path. Being the absolute best — as in number one in a group of people — implies constantly comparing yourself to someone else, maintaining that image, expecting no less than perfection, not being satisfied in the end, and instead feeling skeptical, fearful from making mistakes or falling behind in any sort of way. (At least speaking personally) Having the certainty of being the best is also dangerous if not more, that leads to self assurance, narcissism, which hinders the improvement process.
You can’t control on being the best because there’s so much diversity in the world but … if you work toward the best that you can personally be, to that ideal version of yourself one year or five years from now, I think you’ll find yourself ways closer to that goal with much more focus and much less fretting. :o
In a nutshell:
Definitely a good checklist for songwriters — the full article here.
“Everything Can Be There” by Mfirmino
I think I’ll take the chance to publish publicly, since these questions are really nicely thought out. (If you don’t mind.) My answers aren’t completely accurate as a whole representation of musicians, but I hope the perspective could still bring some insight. (With that said, best of luck on your report!)
(via tylerknott)
Oh, goodness. Thank you kindly for these wonderful words. (It really made my day) And I’m glad it’s able to help you when you’re drawing or doodling around! It’s really the greatest thing I could hope for my music to do. :’)
I wanted to share some knowledge I picked up during 8 months spent unemployed. This is a conglomerate from personal experience, trial and error, and input from other friends who have been through the same.
Read for tips on resumes, applying, interviewing, and following up!
” […] I have found that records don’t get better if you work on them longer. They get better if you work on them with more attention, but not necessarily over a longer period. Having extra time at your disposal is kind of an inducement to worrying the record and making it weaker.” — Albini, article here.
This is a good excerpt mainly because there’s a general assumption that ”the more time you take to make something, the better quality it’ll turn out.” Right? But in the case of music (and probably anything you can ‘make’), I find that most of the major changes, revisions, and evolution of the song take place at the beginning. The actions following its initial creation progressively slows down. A prolonged inactivity of working will usually lead to it being an unfinished or uninspired work. (Unless something else, like another idea, encourages you to complete the song once and for all, or you pace yourself consistently and reasonably.)
