I want to know the Secret!

[crs7string]

I know i have mentioned this before on the Forums and in the session several of us did at the Rally last year.

I have separated the composing process from the production process for the majority of the work I do.

I write at the piano (and on guitar if the guitar will be the solo voice (surf guitar, jazz guitar etc,))

I notate in standard notation and sketch out parts if necessary (especially on orchestral cues)

I find that starting with a composition when I sit down in my studio is much more effective than starting with a sound or drum loop and trying to find the composition in the sounds. I'd rather orchestrate and arrange a well written composition.

Many, if not most of my counterlines start out improvised and then refined.

Because I try to write something everyday, I have stacks of unrecorded material. I recently set up a file system to keep track of the various genres in which I produce tracks.


One side effect of this approach is that I can easily "turn on" the composition light AND easily "turn on" the production light.
In other words, I am rarely searching for inspiration to jump start my work flow.


Chuck

[ottlukk]

for those who can recall ancient video presentations, I felt like a "grasshopper" listening to these comments.
Ott

[allends]

Speaking of "Grasshopper"...

...here is the ultimate answer to your questions, Oh Pink One :

Face your fears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yZ0M1pWD44

[Casey H]

In engineering, particularly in software engineering, one of the many "laws" of nature that is often quoted is Parkinson's Law: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

It's rings true for pretty much any type of work. I think that's why having deadlines as with Taxi leads is so effective. We often have a bunch of unfinished songs in the pile. I think it's normal and healthy to be sleeping on them for a while. Maybe, you haven't found the right lyrics, the solid chorus, the bridge that fits, etc for these songs. But there is nothing like a deadline to make us pick up one or more of those pieces and finish them -or- bang out a totally new one.

In the absence of deadlines, very often we aren't able to motivate ourselves to "just do it". Some folks are always self-motivated to finish everything. But most of us need the kick in the pants. Of course, there is nothing to stop us from setting our own goals and deadlines, independent of the outside world. It takes a lot of discipline. I imagine many of the most effective people have that discipline.

So often in my work, an engineer is asked how long it will take to finish a project. They may say "3 weeks"... Then the customer or the boss says it must be done in 10 days. Somehow, it gets done in 10 days.

This has motivated me! I'm going to finish at least the verses and chorus to a song I'm working on by tomorrow! .... Freeze, Casey... Drop that remote control!! Now!

Casey

[mojobone]

I find deadlines to be very helpful, particularly for commodity music, but when it comes to stuff that'll have my name on it, great chefs know you can't rush the sauce, and it ain't ready 'til it's right.

[uncleb]

See if this helps: set aside at least an hour every day, ideally at the same time, and come comets or earthquakes, park your butt and work - be fed, all communication gear OFF, etc; start with the piece that attracts your attention the most, maybe the one you like the most at the moment or the one that nags you the most; then chip away at it daily until you've wrestled it to the ground and can truly put it up as DONE. Even if it takes weeks to get it done, you'll have done it, and with practice, this routine gets easier and more productive. The feeling of whittling down that backlog is way worth any inconvenience.

[coachdebra]

See if this helps: set aside at least an hour every day, ideally at the same time, and come comets or earthquakes, park your butt and work

Exactly! But I would also specify for yourself - is that hour creative time (i.e. working on creating new material or finishing the first draft to a song already in progress) or is that hour editing time (honing, polishing, playing with the arrangement etc.) or is that time recording the finished product for publication.

I think you want to schedule all three - and separate them in your mind and on your schedule.

[jazzstan]

I really like the ideas about setting the scope of project before you begin.
Then set a deadline and stick to it. Otherwise I’ll neve

[jazzstan]

...r finish.