Comments on: Writer's Block? Read This. http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/ A Comprehensive Ableton Live Tutorial Resource | Ableton Live Video Tutorials Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:58:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: admin http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/#comment-116 admin Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:47:51 +0000 http://nickstutorials.com/?p=725#comment-116 I hear that, Doron. I think an important thing to realize is that while many of those people you referred to are quite talented in their own right, much of that success is down to a combination of having an ear for musical trends as well as the ability to forge new sounds that still retain enough familiarity for people to enjoy. A little bit of luck never hurt either ;) I hear that, Doron. I think an important thing to realize is that while many of those people you referred to are quite talented in their own right, much of that success is down to a combination of having an ear for musical trends as well as the ability to forge new sounds that still retain enough familiarity for people to enjoy. A little bit of luck never hurt either ;)

]]> By: Doron http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/#comment-115 Doron Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:44:31 +0000 http://nickstutorials.com/?p=725#comment-115 Excellent post and comments! Glad to know I am not the only one who suffers from the idea that "I need to finish my latest track in 5 days flat or else I suck" I find I often get stuck trying to create the perfect track or sound and I have more 8 bar loops - that went nowhere - then I care to admit. I guess we all need to remember why we make the music in the first place and try not become envious of the 22 year old DJ who by the age of 18 already released 150 Beatport no 1's :) Excellent post and comments! Glad to know I am not the only one who suffers from the idea that “I need to finish my latest track in 5 days flat or else I suck”

I find I often get stuck trying to create the perfect track or sound and I have more 8 bar loops – that went nowhere – then I care to admit.

I guess we all need to remember why we make the music in the first place and try not become envious of the 22 year old DJ who by the age of 18 already released 150 Beatport no 1′s :)

]]> By: Neil http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/#comment-113 Neil Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:47:25 +0000 http://nickstutorials.com/?p=725#comment-113 Yeah, there's definitely value to the whole "striking iron while it's hot thing" -- gotta use the passion! But it's also good to know when the iron's not hot anymore, and put it aside for later, rather than just working it until you end up hating the song. Yeah, there’s definitely value to the whole “striking iron while it’s hot thing” — gotta use the passion! But it’s also good to know when the iron’s not hot anymore, and put it aside for later, rather than just working it until you end up hating the song.

]]> By: admin http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/#comment-112 admin Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:35:17 +0000 http://nickstutorials.com/?p=725#comment-112 Great reply, Neil, thanks for taking the time to leave it. I couldn't agree more that accepting nothing less than "perfection" while writing music or designing sounds will generally get you nowhere fast. Building up a skillset and a unique voice is something that takes time, occurring incrementally as you learn from your successes and mistakes. Each successive attempt will hopefully benefit from what was learned before, just as with anything else in life. I suffer from this issue now just as I always have, but little by little I'm getting to grips with just creating for the sake of honing the craft. Taking a break is a great piece of advice as well. Unfortunately, I see a lot of information out there that says "you must finish a piece of music within x days or it just wasn't meant to be." While there is plenty of value in trying to get something completed quickly, there's a lot to be said for just shelving it until the time is right. Great reply, Neil, thanks for taking the time to leave it. I couldn’t agree more that accepting nothing less than “perfection” while writing music or designing sounds will generally get you nowhere fast. Building up a skillset and a unique voice is something that takes time, occurring incrementally as you learn from your successes and mistakes. Each successive attempt will hopefully benefit from what was learned before, just as with anything else in life. I suffer from this issue now just as I always have, but little by little I’m getting to grips with just creating for the sake of honing the craft.

Taking a break is a great piece of advice as well. Unfortunately, I see a lot of information out there that says “you must finish a piece of music within x days or it just wasn’t meant to be.” While there is plenty of value in trying to get something completed quickly, there’s a lot to be said for just shelving it until the time is right.

]]> By: Neil http://nickstutorials.com/writers-block-read-this/#comment-111 Neil Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:19:25 +0000 http://nickstutorials.com/?p=725#comment-111 Great post! If I could throw in a few more I've been thinking about: Forget writing "the" song -- Having perfection as your goal can be totally paralyzing. Every piece of music you create is a learning experience, and makes you better. Even if you decide the song sucks, it's not like you've lost anything -- you'll still be able to write something new tomorrow. Don't get obsessed with the quality of production at the outset; if it's a song that really grips you, you'll be motivated to keep working on it. Taking a break -- You've been working on a song for a while, and you're starting to get sick of it. You know it's good music, but it needs work, and you're hitting a wall. Don't force it; instead, force yourself to forget about the song for a few weeks (or months). Hide the project folder, and delete those bounces from your iPod. If you give yourself enough time, you'll come back with fresh, objective ears, and you'll probably find whatever musical idea it was that excited you in the first place. Great post! If I could throw in a few more I’ve been thinking about:

Forget writing “the” song — Having perfection as your goal can be totally paralyzing. Every piece of music you create is a learning experience, and makes you better. Even if you decide the song sucks, it’s not like you’ve lost anything — you’ll still be able to write something new tomorrow. Don’t get obsessed with the quality of production at the outset; if it’s a song that really grips you, you’ll be motivated to keep working on it.

Taking a break — You’ve been working on a song for a while, and you’re starting to get sick of it. You know it’s good music, but it needs work, and you’re hitting a wall. Don’t force it; instead, force yourself to forget about the song for a few weeks (or months). Hide the project folder, and delete those bounces from your iPod. If you give yourself enough time, you’ll come back with fresh, objective ears, and you’ll probably find whatever musical idea it was that excited you in the first place.

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