When is done "done"?????

[matthoggard]

Ok, Im guessing that some of you have this same problem.I cant seem to convince myself that a song is "DONE"!I keep hearing extra parts and harmonies and instruments and i start feeling like ive created a monster.Our latest project.( i have a writing partner)what was supposed to be a simple "demo" to get a copyright has turned into a 3 guitar, 3 part harmony, bass, drums, orchestra, blah, blah, blah!!!!OMG!!! I CANT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My partner says hes gonna cut off my fingers if I dont stop!!It sounds really great but...........................................Its supposed to be a freakin demo!!!!anyone alse have this problem??

[davewalton]

Aug 1, 2008, 3:58pm, matthoggard wrote:Ok, Im guessing that some of you have this same problem.I cant seem to convince myself that a song is "DONE"!Songs are never done, just ultimately abandoned to pursue new or other songs. My wife always asks "When are you going to be done with that?" She thinks I'm being a wise-guy when I always reply "Never".

[ernstinen]

Yea, I've been there, believe me! You keep adding, and adding, until the song has taken on an unrecognizable form!Someone else recently started a thread about The Police, and their mantra was to add every idea, then strip away everything down to the bare bones. Worked for them!A REALLY good song can be done with just guitar/vocals, or piano/vocals. --- But since I'm into arranging, I LOVE the details of subtle parts and orchestral stuff. Cripes, I write for full orchestra now, so what do I know! Ern

[ernstinen]

O.K. --- NOW we're talking!!! Mazz sent me this mp3 of Jimmy Webb doing a bare-bones version of his great song "Wichita Lineman." This brought tears to my eyes, and my wife broke down crying when we listened to this! Shows what a GREAT song can do with just a piano/vocal arrangement and a little guitar:http://www.box.net/shared/7jxuj72804Thanks, Mazz --- Enjoy!Ern

[matthoggard]

Great thanks alot Gong. Now I gotta fight the urge to add some more stuff!!! Wife says. "put the guitar down and step away form the machine!"

[ernstinen]

Aug 3, 2008, 6:56pm, horacejesse wrote:Quote:Shows what a GREAT song can do with just a piano/vocal arrangement and a little guitar:Gulp!!! My reaction exactly!!! Ern

[sgs4u]

Yeah I listened about 10 times. Downloaded it too. Gonna keep it around as a a perfect example of a really moving, piano / vocal. Would it make it thrus Taxi screeners? I would say absolutely, as long as that kinda song was what was required. Just beautiful. thx Ern (&Mazz) Aug 4, 2008, 9:16am, ernstinen wrote:Aug 3, 2008, 6:56pm, horacejesse wrote:Gulp!!! My reaction exactly!!! Ern

[ernstinen]

Aug 4, 2008, 9:38am, sgs4u wrote:Yeah I listened about 10 times. Downloaded it too. Gonna keep it around as a a perfect example of a really moving, piano / vocal. Would it make it thrus Taxi screeners? I would say absolutely, as long as that kinda song was what was required. Just beautiful. thx Ern (&Mazz)Yea, I'd say that song is DONE!No need for more revisions --- Ern

[sgs4u]

Aug 5, 2008, 11:31am, lyle wrote:Well...another perspective here.I do all sorts of things. Sometimes it's just a guitar and a vocal, sometimes it's an over-the-top multitude of tracks. Both have their place and their effect on a listener.Sometimes we over-produce, but I often sense a sentiment out there that the more you strip down, the better it is...that songs should be presented as bare bones as possible. I disagree with that. I love the simplicity of Paul McCartney's "Blackbird", but I also love the endless tracks of the original "Layla" although it would work very well as a solo piece. I suppose could think of better comparisons than that, but my point is that "done" has more to do with your artistic vision and/or your present mood than it does with "which way is best".You are smarter than the average bear booboo. To me, "done," simply means something else has become a priority. I develop songs over a year, especially given the new knowledge that Taxi and the forum have been affording me. I use lots of tracks, because I currently like more complicated sounding arrangements. In this day and age of recordings becoming cheaper to make, I want to LEARN how to become an affordable, and extremely effective one man band. Sometimes one added guitar track from someone else, or fresh new vocalist added to my song/recording, really puts it over the top. I also love to collaborate with people by doing the same with/for other writers. It's all part of the favor bank to me. It's also my way of paying it forward, that I have been blessed by God and chosen by music to be of use, to my concept of making the world a better place, thru the enjoyment of music and relationships. Do what makes you happy, and you will be successful. It sounds simple.Hey, I just hit 2000 posts. I hope this one isn't perceived as one of my more dumb-ass comments.

[drew]

Thanks, Steve I wish I'd been the one who said it. I quote from me would sound something like: The more music, the more better.~ Drew