Recording frustration.

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Uladine

Uladine

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No I don't mean it as a verb like trying to capture an emotion. I mean getting frustrated with out-take after out-take and watching your self esteem level drop with every passing minute.

I've been trying to record drum tracks for a measly 9 songs for four days now. How far along am I? Well lets just say I'm 0 for 9 and getting pissed. I can bust these beats out like nothing in rehearsal.

I guess my question is how to get rid of everyday stress from jobs and life in general to just relax and do what you came to do. I think that would qualify as a very important recording technique. I've tried focusing but now I think I may be focusing way too hard. Is this why so many musicians get hooked on drugs? Is there a better way to escape? I work graveyard 6 nights a week so I only get one evening off, and drums aren't too friendly to neighbors in the night time. I need to try to get these tracks done this week because I might be working 12 hours a day next week and I'll have to tear down my equipment because I dont want to leave it set up unattended at my friends house for a whole week.

Help me. I'm losing my mind and my confidence. I need a fucking VACATION!!!
 
You say you can "bust out the beats" in rehearsal but you choke when the tape rolls.

Don't feel bad, you're not alone. I spent the better part of Saturday trying to record a piano track. I finally said screw it and came back to it on Sunday morning. No booze, no drugs, I just couldn't get my fingers to do the walking on Saturday. Turned out much better on Sunday.

If you're doing fine rehearsing and blowing the takes, I don't think outside stress is causing your problem. You have what I think all of us get at one time or another. It's called Redlititis.

The more takes you do the more the frustration builds and the more your groove and your concentration suffers. Being pressed for time and sleep doesn't help either.

Call in sick if you can afford it and take the whole day to do your tracking.
 
This is a problem for just about everyone. And i have studied this alot being a musician that does auditions and stuff where you only get one chance. What you need to do is find ways to keep you relaxed. Turn off the lights maybe, or dim them. Before you record, take a nice deep breath and hold for a few seconds. Put a nude poster on the wall infront of you.

There are also other things you can do to really help come yourself down. But dont try these until you try some of the things above. First thing, i wouldnt drink alcohol. Youll probably come in the next day and notice that its messed up. But some techniques you could try. Drink alot of water. This help keeps the mind going and the body moving. Heres a way that works really good but has some negative side effects (heh). Eat lots and lots of bananas before a session. Bananas have a natural chemical that calms your nerves down. However, you could get extreme squirts or for some people the opposite. You could also try going down to your local herb store and picking up some calming herb pills. They work good for everything and it really relaxes yah. I use them before orchestral performances so i dont get nervous on my the solo part coming up, and i dont have to worry about shitting my pants during the performance also. If you really have problems after that, youve probably got some kind of nerve problem or chemical imbalance or something. Go to the doctor and see if theres something wrong with you, if there isnt, have him prescribe a magic pill called "Beta Blockers". These completely block out tense nerves and i doubt you could get anything better.

Heh. Just some advice, beta blockers is definately the extreme way to go. For one reason they are probably too expensive for the short time you will need them. But $15 for an herbal calm pill that will last you a while and can help you for things like tests, work, and other things is really worth it. Really though, try just dimming the lights. If you ever notice why most studios are really dark then this is probably the reason. People feel much more comfortable in the dark.

One more thing you could try. Try just pressing record and go play your drums for a while and just jam. Then just kinda start into the song just like if you were jamming with the band and stuff. Then later cut out the stuff from before. Dunno how well it works but the thought just randomly entered my mind before i pushed submit (maybe it was a revelation to your solution.)

Anyway, hope i could help you.
 
I know you don't have much time so this may sound impossible, but the end result will be worth it. I'm not a musician. I'm a singer, but I believe we have something in common. When I first set up my home studio I would go in everday and record a few songs. Some days I would listen to what I recorded and it simply sucked. Then, while beating myself over the head, I would re-record everything with the same result. I've come to the point now where I record one song, listen and if it is bad, I just quit for the day. I don't get upset with myself or wonder if I have the talent or not, I just forget about it and come back another day. By doing this I've got to where now those bad days are less numerous and I may be able to record up to 5 songs a day without missing a beat (pardon the pun).
I've come to the conclusion that even the best voices and musicians are not at their best everyday.
 
insanity= doing things the way you've always done them, expecting different results.
 
bananas man...bananas...enough said.

Gospel does have a point. Its something i think everyone goes through there first times in the studio. Try recording something and have someone else in the band tell you whether or not its good or not. It might just be your mind tricking you because you are hearing yourself.

Danny
 
My drummer has been trying to record one song-for on and off 2 weeks!! Dont feel bad. Are you recording with headphones? If you are thats your whole world-make sure the mix in them is as good as it can be-you want that sound to inspire your best performance. When you're playing keep your mind on the music-if you're mind wanders or if you make a mistake you can't live with-stop recording that instant and start over. Don't waste time playing a track you know isnt a keeper. Also keep it simple-this isnt the time to come up with new drum parts-play it the way you know it and use your sure thing drum riffs. Rehearsal is the time to come up with something new. Good luck!

p.s.-I went in and knocked out the drum part in less than an hour:cool:


Strat
 
Relaxation is definitely a main ingredient - ever noticed how many pix of studios have a pair of Lava Lamps sitting there? I know it sound hokey, but watch one for a while, it can really help loosen you up.

If you have the luxury of an assistant (no, not a paid one necessarily, just someone who can push "play" "record", and "rewind" - Tell them you want to practice along with the tracks you've already recorded, and tell them to push "record" instead of "play", without telling you which time they're going to do it. Usually around pass 3 or 4 out of 6...

Also, remember that every time you "practice a mistake", you get better at making that mistake. Try slowing down and learning the way you WANT to play it instead.

Besides, what's wrong with drugs? Death is just nature's way of telling you to slow down... Steve
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I think God smiled upon me today or something because I got a call from work and they said their having trouble with 2 of the assembly lines (can factory) and I don't have to go in to work tonight! Woohoo! Thanks God. I owe you one, bud.

I feel better already.
 
..........It might sound like an awful thing to suggest to some........ but try smokin a fattie. There is a reason that people into the arts are stereotypically regarded as stoners...... .......it can be both inspiring, and if utilized correctly can, for a short period of time, focus concentration. Im sure im not giving you any new info here. I am a bass player. For me, tracking immediately after indulging gives me some pretty good results. I may drool on myself a bit :D .....but the concentration is where it needs to be.....wait too long though, and a case of eraser head will kick in and any pressure will render you worthless. Its also very useful when writing......... I know I know......... nothing new......... ......sorry for being redundant.
......good luck
 
You have gotten a lot of advice on how to relax, and its all good.

That said, I think the reason a lot of people have difficulty, is because they see the track as an enemy...the click track countdown as the grim reaper.

I NEVER record alone. Always have someone else there - preferably a player - who can chat, keep things simple. These are people who will give you positive feedback.

Also, think about how you perform live, just before recording. When you play live, do you clutch the sticks to the point that your knuckles turn white? I bet you do when you record. It is natural.

Until you can reach a point where it is FUN, you will never pull it off. I would also recommend trying laying down an unrelated track - one you can play in your sleep....just to show youself you can do this...

Good luck.

-BM
 
To me, the best way to relax, forget about it all and get back in to my groove is to strap on the cans and listen/play-along with/jam out to something totally unrelated. But it has to be something fun. You're a drummer; chances are you enjoy cranking up Rush in your headphones and rocking out to your Neil Peart fantasies. :D Okay, I'm generalizing, now.

But you get the picture. I like to get a headphone mix and play along with "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction. When it gets to the part where Perry Farrel sings: "Oh my Marys! Never wonder..." I'm pretty intensely in to it.

By then I'm all relaxed and ready to get down to business.
 
Yeah, this is what an engineer for whom I've done session studio work calls the "red light" syndrome ... not to be confused with excessive loitering in certain lurid city areas after dark.

As for the drinking/drugs angle, whatever works for you, but I find I end up screwing up more when under the influence -- especially when I'm playing bass (I play bass and keys, and my timing/groove gets all wacked when I've gotta buzzon). That of course just pisses me off more and then getting a good take ain't bloody likely ...

I've gotten to the point where I'm practicing and recording so much I don't really notice a difference between the two states anymore, at least at home (when I'm on a session or paying an engineer and performing there, that's a different story). So maybe it's just taking the time to become even more familiar with the process, especially if your chops are up to par when the red light ain't on.

And since you're at home, you may as well take advantage of the opportunity to avoid negative reinforcement; that is, don't keep pushing the session if you're so frustrated your mistakes increase. That's the beauty of home recording -- it gets you as close as you'll ever get to having the luxury of playing only when you're inspired, and quitting before you're too tired.
 
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