in a slump

[alsemas]

Man I'm in a slump right now. No new music in about 6 to 8 weeks. I'm thinking of getting a new keyboard for inspiration, that always seems to help. About every 3 or 4 years I upgrade and about a dozen new tunes come out of it, maybe more. So I thought before I go shopping I would get some of your input. As an arranger/composer, I play the piano (grand and digital), use royalty free samples and would like to have a good arranging keyboard. Yamaha has been my choice in the past (i've owned clavinova and motif) but now I'm thinking I should change it up a bit, maybe Korg? I'm hesitant about going to a new brand because of the learning process, but if I stick to Yamaha, maybe I'm missing something. I've been looking at the new Yamaha Tyros and the new Korg pa2Xpro. Anyone experienced the two and have any constructive advice?

[squids]

Well, I love the Korg Trinity and also the Kurzweil but I'm horribly biased. I bet real piano players can tell you.And it's okay to be in a slump.....I haven't written any decent lyrics (till yesterday) for about 9 months. I'd pounded out an album the year before and I think I was resting or something. Lots of folks say to write every day and I do write music but not lyrics.

[alsemas]

That’s cool thanks. I'll have to make another trip back to guitar center and look at them; the problem is there is always other people in the room playing other instruments and you can't hear what you're doing. I'm seriously thinking about switching to Korg though. I'll look for more input and then head over to the store again.Good luck with your career...this world would suck without music, hard to even imagine.By the way, are you familiar with http://www.sonicbids.com/Default.aspx another great place to submit music, just an FYI.

[matto]

Have you considered switching to a computer for sequencing and Virtual Instruments for sound sources?Sure there is a considerable learning curve, but once you get used to it, arranging in the computer is so much more elegant, efficient and fun.And if new sounds inspire you...after the initial investment there is no cheaper way to keep adding high quality sounds to your arsenal than with VI's. Honestly, the best and most prefessional sound aren't even available on hardware these days, unless......well if you are totally against using a computer, you should look into the Muse Receptor, a hardware unit that can use the same VI's a computer does.If you buy that, load it up with a few choice VI's and drive it with your Yamaha Motif...I think you'll have a BIG smile on your face .And you can keep on adding VI's to it for a fraction of the cost of buying a Motif, Trinity or Fantom (or the like).Hey it's just another option to consider.One thing I will say though...there are other ways to jump start creativity than buying new stuff. Possibly better ways...matto

[milfus]

if it makes you feel better, every peice of music i write starts in reference piano, just a straight up grand, and then I expand it from there. you try using new modes and keys and stuff? pick something WAY off your normal (I once did an opera peice to get myself going)

[squids]

I shoulda thrown in that I'm an old school girl, jes got into the home studio thing (thanks to much help from these guys) and for longevity's sake and to avoid a really heaving learning curve later (when our brains dry up, ack!), I'd go matto's way. It's really limitless, the only thing holding you back is your RAM, etc.If you take a listen to the guys who are really doing it via computer now (some of my stuff is done that way via my engineer's studio), it's pretty tempting......all those sounds (ooh! Ahhh! LOL GEAR LUST!! LOL)

[kg]

I'm a "real" piano player LOL and I like Kurzweil, but I don't use any keys much anymore. As far as gear lust goes, I think it depends on what you really want to do with it, whether it's a new keyboard, or a new piece of hardware.

[arkjack]

I know what you mean about being in a slump. My dayjob killed me the past 8 weeks and I'm just starting to regroup and get my game back on. I've also done some 'soul searching' to think about where I want to go next. The temptation to buy new gear to kickstart inspiration is always a temptation, but this past year I've been able to resist somewhat. After all, with 9 guitars 3 bass and 3 keyboards and 3 Daw and a computer etc etc.... I have to face that I'm only one man and I can't play more than one thing at a time anyway, and there are other demands on time that are limiting my studio time. Since I haven't used all the gear I already own to its fullest extent and potential, I'm able to resist the candy at Samash and GC. If I find something that can help you through the slump without spending the $$, I'll let you know. I may not be tempted to shop, but I am still in a slump for the moment. Keyboard wise, I use the Roland Fantom.ArkJack

[milfus]

ah see I am lucky, If i sit down with a feeling from the day, I just kind of let it seep into my gear and end up with a peice, its kind of a daily ritual, I just summon up the more intense emotions of the day and try to score them musicly, it seems to be an effective tactic

[squids]

May 2, 2008, 9:59pm, milfus wrote:ah see I am lucky, If i sit down with a feeling from the day, I just kind of let it seep into my gear and end up with a peice, its kind of a daily ritual, I just summon up the more intense emotions of the day and try to score them musicly, it seems to be an effective tacticCan I hear some? That's an interesting tactic. I see you also do the unsconscious learning thing I do as well (in your sleep or doing lil things to throw off the conscious mind to get to the really deep stuff)