Getting past the 3 minute mark/writers block

[grunzlaut]

Quite often I find that after a frustrating time writing "bits" of tunes I can put the bits together nto one good tune. So I'd suggest revisiting your archives and seeing if some of your half tunes will fit together into a whole tune.

On the one hand, you'll get some tunes with fairly unexpected changes in them. On the other hand, that in itself can be a good result.

that`s why I write almost all my stuff in the same scale. that makes it easier to swap out elements of different tracks

also a good method to overcome a block: render your unfinished track and listen to it on your car stereo, listen to it while you`re cleaning dishes, ironing your shirts, whatever. leave the room the song is played in, come back a few seconds later, etc. the idea behind this is that inspiration might strike you in an unexpected moment, while you`re maybe focused on something completely different.

[patrick.olson86]

Nothing wrong with just coming up with parts of songs and saving them. Revisit them down the road and you'll be surprised how much better they sound. This may lead to inspiration or thoughts on how the arrangement could take shape (ie- where you hear the song going) and then work on finishing the track. It's one thing to try and finish every track just to do it, but sometimes you waste so much time on perfecting it right off the bat that it's not worth it until the inspiration hits. Know what I mean? Save all your little tidbits you put together and then try to finish them.

But then again, finishing tracks is rewarding. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's important to finish a track, but don't spend 3 or 4 weeks (hell even 2) trying to perfect and finish a track. It'll happen when it happens. My best work comes in one day, not over a span of a week. If I can't finish it in one or two days I'll set it aside for a later time. Also, when I say finish, I mean the arrangement. The actual mixing is a whole nother story.

[grunzlaut]

My best work comes in one day, not over a span of a week. If I can't finish it in one or two days I'll set it aside for a later time. Also, when I say finish, I mean the arrangement. The actual mixing is a whole nother story.

for me it takes weeks to finish a track, but I dont work only at one at a time.