Inspiration to record...

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jacobdetoth

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What inspires/motivates you to actually record/finish a song?

My situation is I have a lot of songs written now, that I want to record...yknow have something to show for myself as I dont have a band to back me.

But I've had bad luck in getting the sound I want in the past when recording (which was a group failure; now I'm on my own).

I just have so much anxiety about actually recording, and possibley ruining my concepts.

Ive made steps in the direction of recording: buying a better mic, getting together all the equip, actually arranging some of the songs, and almost finishing the lyrics (another issue of mine).


My short term goal is to record a demo demo (yes demo of a demo) so I can get together a live band; preserving my artistic rule by already having the material together.


One stumbling block is I cannot actually 'home record' I go to a practice room on my campus--a small walk. Then I'm using analog as of now, with hopes to record up to my computer after laying down the tracks.


It seems this would be a problem for many, motivation. Songwriting is the fun part for me. I need to be inspired to actually accomplish something. Any ideas? I'd say others need an extra push too.....

Thanks
 
A couple years ago I just completely stopped playing and recording. I felt guilty, because I felt like I was stunting my improvement as a musician, but not guilty enough to pull myself out of the funk and get back to music. Part of the problem was (and still is) the crap on the radio: there is just nothing out there that grabs my attention. Metal is dead in the eyes of AOR, and unoriginal talentless sap is king.

What got me going again was rediscovering all the British metal that came out in the early 80's, and finding out that my CD collection of this era is sorely incomplete. This music was just the fuel I needed to get back to practicing, playing, writing, and recording.

Not only that, my attitude toward playing guitar has changed from practicing to increase chops and technique to putting the music I write first: if I write a blistering solo, then I'll practice to pull off the solo and not just to have blistering technique.

So I think for me, the thing that has brought me back to music is changing my listening habits and my musical approach so that I can get enough enjoyment out of it to lift me off the couch and into my studio.

Cy
 
Jacob
I too have encountered similar motivational problems, although mine are usually trying to finish the lyrics. The best way's I've found to get myself moving are

1) Set deadlines. Book studio time, rent equipment, book gigs, anything that gives you a finite amount of time to get things done.

2) Spend time with other songwriters. Sometimes it's more important to have people of similar experience for you to want to share the ideas. Obviously it's best to have an idea fairly polished, before you share it. I have a few guys I meet with about once a week, so we can share ideas, experiences and tips on equipment, venues, etc.

3) Don't allow yourself to be distraction. When in real dry spells, I give myself ultimatums like, "no TV until this song is finished", "no snacks/beer/etc until I'm done this verse". You get the idea.

Hope these can help.
Jeff
 
Creative Bliss

...I noticed that I haven't been playing guitar much, and after a little thought found out it was because of the anxiety that I'd have if I wrote another song, thus placing me further behind in recording them.....

Then I found a list my friend had written for me when I was in a previous 'music project'. It was just random phrases he had made up or found leafing thru old books. One struck me with a chorus melody, I went the guitar, yada yada yada, a complete song. *But instead of using the creative momentum to invent lead guitar etc, I wrote the lyrics! And they're right in target of what I want to do.

I wish I would have used this 'creative bliss' before, I'd have more than one complete (with lyrics) song then....


Anyhow, my new strategy I think. Hopefully I won't look at the lyrics tomorow and determine they're horrible, which happens...
 
Inspiration and "creative bliss" cannot be counted on or arranged for. They are gifts of the muse. To accept the gift you must do the grunt work afterwords.
About 8-years ago, I found myself a cook and poor and single (I'd just ended a long relationship). I had zero money but, when I looked around my apartment, I realised I'd put every spare penny into low end recording equip and high end guitars. I spent all my free time(social time) at home hashing out tunes.
It finaly hit me that I was a songwriter. The reward is high and often your achievments go unshared. However, you must decide or resign to the fate and folly of the muse. In short, do it or don't do it. Always from the heart and always for yourself. Songwritting can make you a more evolved person but, just cause you scribble a verse now and again doesn't mean that the rest will take care of itself. Take care of the rest yourself. It is your vision and your passion. It is a part of you. THAT is your motivation.

Now excuse me while I return to ignoring all the half songs and orphane lyrics at my side do to good beer and bad guitar.

P.S. I'm still a cook( a good one) and I'm still poor. But I have nicer recodeng equipment and all the guitars I could need for now.

Peace and kicks in the ass,

Theron
P.P.S
I am damn sick of the project I'm working on now. The songs are painfull to keep hashing out. Yet, I would be silly not to represent the songs and save them on a recorded media just because I was lazy or distracted. Keep your focus.
 
I like that advice.

Since this is the songwriting board, I'd like to express what a state of ecstasy it is. It's the thing that makes me happy, yknow. I've got to get organized and do this bitch(the recording end).

Im in college trying to supplement my ambition with my major in 'Music Business' but paying from school is tough, and then paying for new gear is too (but those credit card companies sure like us college students, so...)

I've got several stumbling blocks in front of me right now, that are unrelated, but definetly in the way. I'll have to make a plan of action, and do all I can presently. Yup, that's what I'll do.

I'll record the song I wrote last nite tomorow late. ....Now I'm thinking out loud...............
 
Persisitance is the name of the game when it comes to songwriting. I get up 1 hour early to work on songs. With a wife and two kids, it's the only interupted time I can get. My songs progress excrutiatingly slowly, but they do progress. And that is the point.
Quality only happens in the midst of quantity. Put in the time, and good things will come of it. You must put in the dog work, and when inspiration strikes, be ready to seize it!
From that point, you have to have the determination to finish the project. And... you have to have the good sense to realize when you have done the best you can given your current experience/ gear/ talent, and bring a project to an end. Put it to bed and move on.
A song in the hand is worth two in the DAW.

Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com
 
I finally got to record. My roomate left town, so I figured it was my chance to do the recent 'quiet song' I had...
I made a vocal booth under my desk, yes I got under it. But it didn't help the extremely immature freshmen in my hall, the wall adjacent to my 'booth' was a couple that has fight every nite, tonite too....

My first use of the SM57, instead of the radio shack deal. THUMBS UP, so right, mics make a big difference, I actually like the way my voice sounds!
Ofcourse, the layer of fuzz under it all, my old 4 track, seperates it from anything completely presentable.

Im very happy right now. Though, I still dont have a solution to other recorded, The so-called 'sound proof' rooms in the music dept are hardly that. Sharing a wall with a soprano is torture. I dont know what the solution is. Anyone in a similar situation?Finding a recording space?

Other goos news for me is that my grandfather, an old time bluegrass man, reportively has an old Akia Reel to Reel multi-track... A huge improvement over my crappy yamaha unit.
 
Actually I get the most noise not from hiss, but from my multieffects unit... dod votec. It just hums, if you put more than one effect into the send it's unbearable... Shuld i sell this thing, and buy single units to replace what i need? Small scale op i have going here...
thanks
 
Just take a deep breath, and lighten up on yourself.

-Real inspiration comes from strange places, and you just can't force yourself to be inspired. Everyone goes thru a writers block, or blue-funk, once in a while, and it can be hard to break thru it.

-You can't will your way out of this writer's block, in fact, the more you stress over songwriting and recording, the more the writer's block increases. It can be a negative spiral, to the point of locking up your creativity with anxiety, completely, at which point you're probably just a bundle of nerves, or in a complete negative depression. It happens to everyone. Hey, even John Lennon had "Yer Blues", if you know what I mean.

-Anxiety, from whatever source, is a stumbling block, and is never conducive to creative thinking. What comes after anxiety?... freedom?... energy?... No. What comes after anxiety is PANIC.

-The more you focus on some concept of the 'perfection' you're trying to achieve, the more difficult it seems to be, to reconcile your 'concept' of your songwriting, with the 'actuality' of your songwriting and recording. F/I, a "demo-demo" is a perfect example of thought processes that hold you back. A "demo-demo" is a clear signal that you're mentally bound up, and can't commit your entire entity to one 'real' thing, that is, your song.

-A "demo-demo" is a secret way of disassociating yourself from the actual end result [recording], that you may [or may not] produce in the studio.

-In other words, by producing a "demo-demo" you're saying, "what I have here, [a demo-demo], is a work that I don't have enough confidence in to call my own, or to own up to the fact that this is the 'real' state of my songwriting and recording. This is not my 'real' recording, and not even a real 'demo', it's a half-hearted attempt at a demo, but it's only because the idea or concept in my head is much better than the actual recording, and I don't want my own actual limitations as a songwriter/musician/recording artist to spoil the 'pristine perfection' of the idea".

-Even just the concept of a "demo-demo", shows a basic lack of confidence, which you clearly stated in your post.

-Hey, I'm not perfect, by any means, and I don't expect 'perfection' of myself or others, and I certainly don't dwell on ideas of 'perfection', in songwriting, music and recording.

-I'd NEVER produce ANYTHING I'd EVER refer to as a 'demo-demo'. I'd just say, "here's my latest recording, which may be imperfect, and a little rough around the edges, but it's MINE. I have the confidence to own it, however 'imperfect' it may be, [which in my case, is plenty]".

-Anyway, long story short,... it's the idea that your songs are 'perfect' in their idea form, [in your head], and that an actual 'imperfect' recording of them 'corrupts' the pristine nature of your 'concept', that's holding you back. This is an idea that you'll just have to get over, if you ever expect to accomplish anything REAL. Believe me, a 'demo-demo' is not REAL, it's a cop-out.

-F/I, as for myself,... if/when I record, that's it,... that's MY recording, good or bad. Calling something a 'demo-demo' is a way of distancing yourself from any criticism.

-In other words, if you record something, and someone says IT SUCKS, then ok, it sucks, but it's not a REAL recording, or even a REAL demo, it's a 'demo-demo', and therefore, if it sucks, it's ok, cause my heart wasn't in it anyway, and even though the actual recording may be lousy, the concept behind the recording is still 'pristine', [in my head].

-'Demo-demo' thinking is a cop-out.

-Hey, I'm not trying to be hard on you, as I don't even know you, and I wouldn't do anything to be cruel, anyway. I just think your question is legitimate enough, but your language in your question paints a certain picture of writer's block, anxiety, and lack of confidence.

-MY SOLUTION: just lighten up, about songwriting and recording, and stop putting so much unrealistic pressure on yourself. It's your own thinking processes that are holding you back, and by the wording of the question, I'm sure you're aware of that.

-Songwriting/music/recording is supposed to be fun. Lighten up on yourself, and have fun with it, and,... yes,... your recordings are your recordings, for better or worse, and 'demo-demo' is a bunch of double-talk, and a righteous cop-out.

-Just say, "my songwriting ideas might seem a lot better in my head, but this recording represents the best I could do at this time", and live with it. Come live with the rest of us, in the REAL world, where nothing's perfect.

-Stop pressuring yourself, and have some fun with recording. Recording really is fun, and I don't understand why all the anxiety, and/or why get all neurotic about the supposed 'perfection' of your songwriting ideas?

-The song ideas are not perfect, you're not perfect, I'm not perfect, and no one's perfect. Lighten up on yourself with this perfectionism. Does perfectionism hold you back in other areas, or just in music/recording/songwriting? I'd expect the answer to that question would reveal that you're experiencing a 'writer's block/perfectionism' anxiety issue, in more than just songwriting. Think about it.

-Smoke a doobie, bongload, and/or have your anxiety medication adjusted.

-I feel for you, man. Just drop the pretenses of 'perfectionism', and come down to earth, with the rest of us mortals. I think if you just recorded ANYTHING, on & on, for better or for worse, and owned up to the results as actually being 'yours', then your writer's block would eventually become insignificant, or disappear altoghether.
 
You're completely right.

No I'm serious, you are. I have 'issues', they tell me. They even try to make me take medication, but as Axl Rose calls these meds "bullshit in a bottle", I couldnt put it better. In other words, they say my anxiety comes from the 'anxiety disorders' I have. But this isnt the place to discuss that....


You're right about just doing it for better or worse, that's the only way I can get it right.

Im sorry if it came over as me just venting throughout this thread, that may be true.

I think Ill post the mp3 here shortly, Im in love with this song, so it doesnt matter who likes it, but some recording input would be nice...

THANKS
 
BTW, not to drag this on, but...

I think the idea you mentioned of 'demo-demo' really stuck in my head, but I'm not posting stuff to beat you over the head, pls believe me.

Of course, we all accept the fact that concepts in our heads represent ideals, and are pristine in nature. That's ok, and we all have concepts in our heads that are unique, too, which are legitimate to express in songwriting. The ideas and concepts are the goals, and it's perfectly ok to have high ideals and goals.

What you're doing [songwriting], your concern [writer's block], and your question is all legitimate. You have to find a practical way to take the stress out of your attitude toward songwriting and recording.

Home recording, songwriting and musicianship are all great hobbies, and can be great fun, so where's the pressure? I can see being a little hard on yourself to achieve a disciplined, practiced performance, and we all suffer setbacks, and disappointments in our progress as musicians, even me, but songwriting and home recording should be fun. When home recording becomes anxiety ridden, it's time to take a chill pill, or hang it up for a while. I'm serious, I don't think stress and music belong together, at all, so don't let stress get the best of you.

Where's the pressure in songwriting and home recording? Does your next check or meal depend on the next song you write?

HERE's what I think about breaking writer's block, besides just relaxing, and not taking it all so seriously. Remember, no one's perfect, and there's no perfect song or recording. Music is real, it's all real, even the sour notes.

Anyway, here's the REAL solution to recording/songwriting writer's block:

Be "Zen" about it.

In Zen, the philosophy goes, [paraphrasing], "the way to achieve a goal, is to give up the desire of the goal, and focus not on the goal, but on the next step of your journey".

That's really what I think, bottom line. In recording or songwriting, be Zen. Giving up desire is a big theme in Zen.

If you give up the 'desire' to have 'perfect' song or recording, then it frees you mentally, so you can focus on some 'real' [imperfect] recording, which then through action of making 'don't care/scratch' recordings, your recordings and songs will inevitably become better.

You may never have the perfect song or recording, but there are always ways to improve your songwriting and recording, to "take a sad song, and make it better", if you know what I mean,...

but they all involve DOING something.

-Sitting around, stressing out about whether you can do it well enough, never accomplishes anything, except getting you more wound up. It's a performance anxiety that you may have.

-First, just give up the goal to record or write the perfect song. Do some actual "don't care/scratch" songs and recordings, play with it, have some fun, and see if you can improve on what you have, and eventually, you'll come up with something you're proud of, and basically happy with. I'm sure of that.

-DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!! Don't sit around just thinking about it!

---------------
 
Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

Im going to post this mp3 here, it's as said, a scratch version, but the more i listen the more i like it for what is. It's just a simple I-IV-V tune, very minimal, not much to be said on recording, other than the background noise, but it's not bad.

mms://142.59.127.47/nwr/appledemode/Apple_Démodé_-_Better_Day.mp3

I like it, i dont intend to stick to this sort of songwriting format, but there's nothing like a diddy like this to up your spirit, atleast mine. It's a very quiet intimate song, Im not sure how people will react. But feedback would be good admist the drama ive caused. the song is basically about that 'anxious drama' within me.

Anyhow, thank you Reel Person, youve helped me a lot.
 
Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.

Im going to post this mp3 here, it's as said, a scratch version, but the more i listen the more i like it for what is. It's just a simple I-IV-V tune, very minimal, not much to be said on recording, other than the background noise, but it's not bad.



I like it, i dont intend to stick to this sort of songwriting format, but there's nothing like a diddy like this to up your spirit, atleast mine. It's a very quiet intimate song, Im not sure how people will react. But feedback would be good admist the drama ive caused. the song is basically about that 'anxious drama' within me.

Anyhow, thank you Reel Person, youve helped me a lot.
 
Sure, no problem. I'm sure you'll do fine, in the long run.

Anxiety is only temporary, and you'll get your confidence back.

I don't want to seem like I'm venting something out on you, either, because I'm not. I know, sometimes I may repeat myself, ahaha. I guess I may seem like I get on a soapbox, sometimes, but I'm telling you man,... be Zen.

--------------------

NOW:

Here's what inspires me, mind you, I'm not a songwriter:

-Great music, and well written songs. If I hear a great tune, I'm often motivated to pick up my guitar and play, usually in 'copy' fashion, [but not always].

-Life drama. I mean real life, here. Any sort of happy or tragic, moving event may spurn creativity. The World Trade Center incident, perhaps, has spurned songwriting creativity in many people. That's a real, classic tragedy there, just served right up for you on a platter.

-F/I, when John Lennon was shot, a mass of heartfelt recordings came pouring out of me, all at once. Due to the fact that in 1980 I was 18, and a completely-in-the-dark recording Newbie, of course, most of those recordings are awful, haha. As awful as they may be, and I still have them all, even the scratch takes, there's still the essence of some good energy, even in the worst recordings. Hell, I didn't know any better. I blew up stereos, and everthing! Haha!

-Also, forget Jerry Garcia, 'cause I didn't really follow him, or like his music, but I know people were really affected by his death. Many of those people were probably inspired to write songs, when Jerry died.

-On the other hand, the off-the-wall, sudden death of Joey Ramone REALLY hit me HARD. Man, oh man, that spurned a jag of recording activity that lasted at least 6 weeks, and resulted in my latest CD, which I've made available, free, to all HR and Tascambbs members, part of a project I called "THE DAVEMANIA COLLECTION". Pls see my other posts regarding that. These latest recordings of mine I'm referring to, are new, fresh, and dynamic, but not perfect. However, they do paint an accurate picture of my current playing and recording abilities. Believe me, DAVEMANIA is an excercise in imperfection, haha, so don't wear yourself out looking for flaws, ahaha. THE DAVEMANIA COLLECTION is pure, in-the-moment, home recorded fun. No, I'm not the greatest player or singer. I'm me. I'll flub a few notes, and my voice may waiver or break, once in a while. DAVEMANIA is real home recording, flubbed licks, flat notes, and all, and especially that annoying 4-count on the beginning of every song, haha! I'll give you a free copy too, if you want to listen to a mass of imperfect, home-recorded cover tunes. All me/all free, no strings attached, blah blah blah. If you're interested, send your name & address to my email, d.archuleta@att.net

-Noboby's perfect. I'm not perfect, and I can accept that. My recordings aren't perfect either, and I can accept that too, but there's still the essence of good energy there, and plenty of it! THE DAVEMANIA COLLECTION.

-Check out the DAVEMANIA project, it may even help break your writer's/recording block, with a little of "if he can do it, anyone can do it" thinking, haha.

-----------------

BTW, you sound like you're loosening up a little, already. Good luck. Really, I'm not browbeating you, I know writer's block is tough. [By the length of my posts, you can tell I don't suffer from writer's block, haha]. I want you to have as much recording fun as I'm having. Home recording is really fun, and yes, you'll have to accept certain limitations, unless you want to hire a million selling producer, and a million dollar studio, which is a whole other story.

-Check out DAVEMANIA, all me, all free CD, of fun recordings, cover tunes, and flaws, haha. They're all right there on tape.

Sincerely, Dave Archuleta, d.archuleta@att.net THX
 
In all of your playing, writing, and recording; don't forget to enjoy the gift. When I get frustrated about anything, be it music or otherwise, I can sit at my keyboard or pick up the guitar and just play. Its always been my nerve pill. Works for me anyway.

<><
George :cool:
 
"I'm not a doctor, although I play one on TV".... haha!

Jacob,

Anxiety is a creativity killer, and also can be a negative spiral, down into depression. Try to shake that anxious feeling, not by thinking about doing something, but by actually doing something, however insignificant or small it may be.

Start by taking 'baby steps'. Success is built upon success, and if you try small, achievable little recordings or tasks, the seemingly small successes you have will snowball into something big: REAL confidence in your ability to succeed, in music or whatever else.

An action-based approach to this writer's block of yours, may be the best thing to break the ice, or log jam in your head.

I agree w/the previous post, that music itself is a soothing agent.

Do music for it's own pure enjoyment, and forget that you've been trying unsuccessfully for the last year to write the next QUADROPHENIA. Just forget all the stresses of life, get your guitar or whatever, and have a THROWDOWN HOEDOWN, and just enjoy yourself. Turn it up, blast it out, and forget about what the neighbors might think.

------------

BTW, I was unable to play your mp3 file. I could not download it to the hard disc, and it wanted to play in streaming mode on the Windows Media Player, but the streaming was too slow, so it sounded like:

blip....... blip........ blip....... blip....... blip.....

-Maybe you could post a downloadable version of your song, or give me some tips on how to listen to it, and I'd be glad to criticize, er,... uh,... listen. Haha. THX/DA

;)
 


I think this will work, supposed to, the é may f it up.
This is mostly a songwriting example, it's only 3 tracks, I like the way it turned out, Ive listened to it a couple hundred times in it's 24 hour life, and i even like the way I always mess up the rythm just before th chorus, kinda adds flavor i think.

It's not a rock tune guys, i think of my style as 'glam-folk' a nice oxymoron.

The reason Im so proud of myself for this is it's the first time Ive ever did it for myself, Ive did it with a friend, but Ive never actually started anything, this is really inspirational to me..

Anxiety, oh it sucks. It's an unreal coninicident that may girlfriend just broke up with me. I kid you not. I sorta saw it coming, it's a long distance thing; because of my axiety problems mostly, or linked to them. But Im seeing it now as a gift that needs to be tamed. I've got a gifted perception, and I need to control it. I've been having problems with it for years, two years ago this month, was the worst, hospitalization, but I kept it on the 'downlow' not to upset any loved ones.

Small goals is a great idea for me. Im always looking too far down the road, and not stopping to smell the roses on my way.

Instead of planning and planning, Im going to do. It seems simple, but actually a big step.


Let me know if that link works, i fnot maybe go here http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/world/appledemode/

later....
 
No, I'm not a doctor, I'm not on TV, and I don't want to bullshit you.

I have no medical or psychological expertise to base this opinion on, but just gut feel:

-Maybe you should try to cold-turkey the mood altering pharmaceuticals, and go give our friend Mary Jane a visit. That might help you moderate an even keel better, [I know it does for me].

-BTW, I'm d/l'ing your mp3 now. I'll listen soon. I'm not sure if I've already been to your website, or not, but the name sounds familiar. I'm not a big fan of d/l'ing music, 'cause it's so tedious and slow, but sometimes I do it, just out of curiostiy.

I think you've mellowed out, considerably, since the first post, so that's good. I also see the comments on the mp3, on the website. I'm glad if you may be feeling better.

Music itself is good medicine. It's medicine for the soul.

--------------
 
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