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??

[tedsingingfox]

Holy Moley, can I relate to this; but in a different way.I currently have no way of recording anything at home other than a single take of guitar and vocal at the same time (I DO have a digital 4-track that needs mics and cables I don't yet own, so it doesn't count at this posting). But I totally understand. One of my "things" is layers of harmonies, whether vocal or instrumental, and it's virtually impossible for me NOT to continuously hear more and more that could be added...even if they aren't really enhancing anything any longer.But even during the writing process, I keep thinking... What if I try this? Even though I've been telling myself this song is done, what if I change up that line of chord progressions? What about ...It never ends. It's probably a good thing I DON'T have a home studio or I'd never see the light of day. So... What I've been using as my rule of thumb is: FORCING myself to stop when I've got the first glimpse of "done". Even if I come back to it later, there HAS to be a point where I just stop. then I send it to a couple of my buddies here (or simply post it up on the boards for feedback), and wait to hear what they have to say.If it's supposed to be a demo, then limit yourself to 4 tracks before you stop the first time. Put it away and don't return to it for 24/48 hours. Of course, this is only one fairly weak suggestion, and I'd be lying if I claimed it always worked for me.There must be MANY of us here with the same issue. I'll be eager to hear how we collectively cope with the overkill/over-demo issue...HTH.Ted

[matthoggard]

COOL!Im not the ONLY one!. Man I love Taos! been there a dozen times. No not to ski!!!IM a fly fisher. My favorite place i think!

[tedsingingfox]

Aug 1, 2008, 4:23pm, matthoggard wrote:COOL!Im not the ONLY one!. Man I love Taos! been there a dozen times. No not to ski!!!IM a fly fisher. My favorite place i think!VERY cool!!! Certainly MY most favorite place on earth.Then you will HAVE to let me know next time you're headed this way.

[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".

[billg]

I have the opposite problem. I'll write & record something & then by the time I've mixed it (or tried to mix it) I'm over it & move on. I have a difficult time going back & "fixing" things because I'm way into the new song. Seems like my favorite song is always the one I just finished. The upside of this is that I write a lot of songs . . . the downside is that there is a "flaw" (or many flaws) in each song.

[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

[gongchime]

I always had a problem in art class because I'd sign paintings but wouldn't be done with them. I had to learn to control the urge to sign them until I was really done. Perhaps one useful thing is what was done in Motown. Throw out as many ideas as possible until you're left with the minimum needed to deliver the idea. I read an interview with Chick Corea. He said that when composing he also has many ideas but usually only goes with the best of the first three so as not to get bogged down in the infinite variety. For pop music there are almost never more than 5 parts: voice, guitar, keys or another guitar part, bass, drum kit. Maybe a shaker, tambourine or cow bell added on for good measure. Taos is cool. I also like Oak Creek Canyon which is kinda near there.

[matthoggard]

Ive decided that our next five songs are gonna be 6 tracks. If I cant get the message across with 6 tracks too effin bad! Right now we are just demoing anyway. If I can capture a "broadcast quality" then great.Billg I understand your point of view. when we get to writing 5or more songs a week, Ill probaly take that same stance. Weve been writing together for some 15 years now but this is the first try at "selling" our music so I think our attitudes are differrent now.Thanks for the input guys.

[lieflin77]

I have lots of "done" songs but the problem is weeding them out from the "really good" songs. (Or commercial songs, if that's the goal) I think knowing that comes from others hearing and giving input.