Tweak songs endlessly or give up the ghost and keep writing

[CHuckmott]

OK maybe not endlessly but do folks here have a rule of thumb when to retire a song ( I joined with a 10 rejection rule UNLESS i read some criticism that made me think , eh, maybe this song with some tweaking ). WOuld you rather rewrite -resubmit and when do you draw the line? I have read other people move on with specific songs and submit through other avenues, i.e.. libraries. Of course they continue to resubmit fresh tracks with Taxi. Or do you just move on and write new stuff. Extras points if you've gotten rejected, perfected your song, and got forwarded..... Thanks.

[orest]

It's a pretty big question and for me it all depends on what project I'm working on.

If I'm writing for a listing (which I haven't done for some time now) I try to nail the target as close as possible and follow the guidelines from the screeners

When I'm working for a library/producer I often know how to compose and produce for them nowadays. It's a learning curve but I have built my DAW (hardware and software) to suit the market and the way I like it as well.

When I'm working on an album I'm more picky. This is because it's around 10 tracks that need to sound good and also somehow fit together.

Of all the 3 mentioned, working on an album is the most difficult thing for me.

[cardell]

It's a pretty big question and for me it all depends on what project I'm working on.

Yes, I feel it's a question of balance.

Stuart

[DesireInspires]

I prefer to write more songs. I like to focus on the most basic parts of songs and get them out fast.

One idea I came up with is to write simpler songs. I realized that many libraries like alternate versions of songs. So I started only writing songs with drum & bass, guitar melodies, percussion only tracks, and other simple songs. It helps me to increase my output without sacrificing quality.

I only write for film & TV and I do not sing. That helps me a lot.

[mikeymike2000]

hey Chuck,

Great question but really, what does it matter what anyone else does? Do what YOU want and feel is right.

If you think the song fits what is being asked for blast it off. Just keep writing no matter what. one of the things I like to do is if I have something I think is a good fit already I will try and make a new one before the deadline. Sometimes I end up farting around and sometimes I get a new song out of it but no matter what I still have the one that fits to begin with.

It is easy to fall into the trap of tweaking. When I get this way I put it aside for a few days or weeks and work on other things, learn new skills and then go back later to polish it up more when the mood strikes. I have re-invented a few songs like this.

My suggestion is if you think it is good enough to submit it even once, never give up on it but don't be afraid to put it to the side for a short or long while and keep moving forward.

A bassist I used to play with always said (and prob still does) "the moment you stop moving forward you immediately move backward".

[Kolstad]

I'd say never give up the ghost first, keep writing second and tweaking third.
The ghost is about believing, and thats the fuel for everything creative, so giving that up is not an option.
Keep writing is a given under any circumstance, so easy answer.
Tweaking just goes so far as your momentary taste goes, so thats pretty dangerous, and can be an endless effort.

I don't really live by rules, I hate rules, as all they can do is to obstruct you. I prefer chaos any day, at least you know there are opportunities in there somewhere.

I write new stuff, while still pulling out old unfinished stuff once in a while.
When I get in a rut, old projects comes in really handy.
I have between 50-and 70 unfinished projects, some only missing a line here and there, some more.
But it can clamp you up to have a lot of unfinished stuff. That's the danger of it.

I believe it's about working on what ever you have every day, a new idea, an old project, a remix, bassline, whatever. When the student is ready, the teacher will come, meaning good things come to those who wait.

Just work while you wait.

[mojobone]

I'm a relentless tweaker and polisher, but at some point you have to step back and look at the big picture to ensure you're not polishing the proverbial turd. If your ambition is to be commercially viable, you have to produce, and that holds true whether you're a producer or a writer. If you're focusing too much on details, it may be an indication that there's something about that bigger picture that needs to be addressed.

[Len911]

I'm a relentless tweaker and polisher, but at some point you have to step back and look at the big picture to ensure you're not polishing the proverbial turd. If your ambition is to be commercially viable, you have to produce, and that holds true whether you're a producer or a writer. If you're focusing too much on details, it may be an indication that there's something about that bigger picture that needs to be addressed.

Amen! Isn't that the definition of a turd, songs that need endless tweaking. Unless of course you manage to tweak it into a different song!

[CHuckmott]

i am in the process of tweaking just about half of what I posted on here to date (7 fresh songs since May). Other then going back and perhaps doing minor tweaks, won't be doing that again probably. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

[mazz]

My feeling is that in the daily doing of a thing, one begins to learn to discern what is important and what is not, what is working and what is not, when to cut one's losses and when something is worth pursuing.

I feel that getting started on a path of writing every day, even if it's 2 bars or one line is really the true work to do, not the finishing of something, at least at the beginning. Having the experience of creating consistently, or doing anything consistently, tends to help with the long view, and every single piece of work tends to not be so precious. If you write every day for a year, I guarantee that you'll have a much better feel for what to polish and what was just grist for the mill.

It's about the work, the product will take care of itself once the machine is well lubricated.

My 2c


Mazz