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Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:52 am
by milesbparty
I'm working on a new song and wrote what seems to be a pretty cool piano part, but now I can't play it correctly to save my life!This happens to me every once in a while. Anyone else ever go through this?

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:40 am
by mojobone
Did you record it in some form?

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:46 am
by ggalen
That happens to me quite often when I improvise.My fingers do something I love; then I can't reproduce it. I keep the recorder on, and I have to relearn it from the recording.And occasionally I find it too difficult to play well reliably.I also tend to write songs I cannot sing...because the melody has too much range.

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:33 am
by Mark Kaufman
I've had that feeling all my life...only in the last couple years with MIDI and unlimited tracks am I finally getting to hear some of these songs the way I hear them in my head.

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:53 pm
by milesbparty
I do have a rough recording of it, but when I record it "for real", I simply can't play it right. Next step I think: Record via MIDI and fix all my mistakes. Or maybe just practice it more.-Paul

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:09 pm
by ggalen
Oh, go ahead and use the midi technique. Not much different that using Autotune for vocals, I say. It let's you more quickly realize your recording as you envision it.As for playing live, well, that does take more practice. You have to decide what's your current priority as far as using your time.

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:23 pm
by suzdoyle
I have this happens sometimes, too. Sometimes I'll create a really complicated piano riff that is challenging to play while also singing. Or I'll notate it differently than I hear it in my head. Putting it in my notation software (and playing it back through it) helps a lot. Then I can fix any goofy parts and get it better in my fingers . . . I also can rarely memorize songs I write -- probably because I do some more advanced jazz kind of progressions and alternate bass parts . . . so I usually have to look at my lead sheets to play 'em. Silly, eh?!So many ways to be a composer and musician . . . Suz

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:29 pm
by milesbparty
Oct 3, 2009, 4:09pm, ggalen wrote:You have to decide what's your current priority as far as using your time.Good point there Glenn...the MIDI route it is then.-Paul

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:33 pm
by whatsoname
To be a musician before computers you had to have a the memory for it. Nowadays a musician doesn't even have to develop a style. They can do anything off the shelf. I wonder if this means better music?

Re: Can't Play My Own Music

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 2:00 pm
by k o star
Better for music, production wise but not performance wise...Fine with me... I'm more a production type musician... & with the 2nd coming of melodyne we won't even be needing much midi editing anymore...God bless technology!!!-Kel