A 'How to prioritize your time' thread

[logic_user99]

Here's the problem: there's so much 'stuff' to do in the world of music making, that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all! Example being -

I want to get my head stuck into Live and 'just make music' - I've got drum samples ready to go, bassline ideas in my head, and a bunch of effects in mind. BUT, there's also a whole load of stuff that I don't know about Live. At this point, my intrigue gets the better of me, and I pull the manual out and start faffing around learning bits that probably won't help me immediately, but are good to know.

Combine this with re-'getting in to' Reaktor (Which is more manual reading. I'd taken a sabatical from R5, but now really want to get my teeth into learning how to build nice ensembles, and make some sample-mangling tools), trying to get one's drumming back on par, and life in general, and there you've got a connudrum!

When does the music really start to happen? How do you guys sort your time out to fit in all of the music stuff that you want to do?

[Meef Chaloin]

read the manual from cover to cover, won't take you that long, a few hours a day & it'll be done pretty soon.

After that you'll know it inside out & won't have your creativity broken when you can't do something. You'll also get ideas of how you want to work.

save you lots of time in the long run, just get down in it

[Lo-Key Fu]

For individual tracks I work in specifically defined stages and try not to stray from the immediate goal of each stage (eg. creative session > arrangement > breaksdowns > production > matering).

More generally speaking, I try and keep the learning as a separate process to the writing or things get messy pretty quickly for me. I get around this vby having one machine for the net, manuals etc. and another devoted purely to production and nothing else. This way, by toggling screens on my KVM switch, I'm effectively switching "modes".

Hope this helps!

[b0unce]

ya, and stop waffling on the internet about your mundane personal experiences. That should save you a good bit of time.

[Meef Chaloin]

ya, and stop waffling on the internet about your mundane personal experiences. That should save you a good bit of time.

[amigo]

For individual tracks I work in specifically defined stages and try not to stray from the immediate goal of each stage (eg. creative session > arrangement > breaksdowns > production > matering).

Hmmm, I like this methodology. I tend to group them all under the single task of music making but to break them down into individual sub tasks is a good idea. Doing so may prevent me from getting stuck in certain areas.

Cheers!

[briandervish]

What are you trying to accomplish? If you are trying to learn as much music technology as possible, then it sounds like you are doing fine. If you want to "make music", however, then you need to write songs, and FINISH them. Write more songs, then some more, have a tea, then write some more songs. Learning about technology is an ongoing process that never ends. You can't define it as a threshold you cross, where before it you are learning the tools, and afterwards you are making the music.

[nepotist]

Lately I've been trying to work faster, with less thinking. Going by instinct and spending less time pondering whether it's the right thing, just doing it and finishing tracks, it's really working for me. We have so much stuff at our disposal which is great, but it can really weigh you down too. I've also created a rule that I can only have 5 songs going at a time, and anything that was old and sitting around I deleted (although i do have BU's on a seperate drive). I'm finding this method is keeping me on my toes and my tracks are sounding better and more fresh to my ears.

[Lo-Key Fu]

For individual tracks I work in specifically defined stages and try not to stray from the immediate goal of each stage (eg. creative session > arrangement > breaksdowns > production > mastering).

Hmmm, I like this methodology. I tend to group them all under the single task of music making but to break them down into individual sub tasks is a good idea. Doing so may prevent me from getting stuck in certain areas.

Cheers!

You're welcome mate.

Getting stuck in certain areas is exactly the reason I began working in this way; too much musical "fiddling" without definite aims or goals meant finishing tunes was pretty hit and miss prior to that. This approach has been infinitely more productive for me, and I think the key to getting it working for you is to define simple rules about the type of activities you will and won't do in each stage.

[torrentexpress]

Here's the problem: there's so much 'stuff' to do in the world of music making, that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all! Example being -

I want to get my head stuck into Live and 'just make music' - I've got drum samples ready to go, bassline ideas in my head, and a bunch of effects in mind. BUT, there's also a whole load of stuff that I don't know about Live. At this point, my intrigue gets the better of me, and I pull the manual out and start faffing around learning bits that probably won't help me immediately, but are good to know.

Combine this with re-'getting in to' Reaktor (Which is more manual reading. I'd taken a sabatical from R5, but now really want to get my teeth into learning how to build nice ensembles, and make some sample-mangling tools), trying to get one's drumming back on par, and life in general, and there you've got a connudrum!

When does the music really start to happen? How do you guys sort your time out to fit in all of the music stuff that you want to do?

Don't forget about-
Creating a live set, (learning an entire set of new tools for a live set)
Rehearsing your live set,
Booking live shows,
Play Shows,
Promoting,
Creating album art,
The huge task of creating a music video,
Getting your music mastered,
Maintaining a fan base,
Keeping your music fresh and one step ahead,
Writing lyrics (if applicable,)
Taking the time to organize your time,
Taking the time to relax and have fun,
Making time to Schmooze and meet the right people,
Create a promo pack,
Mailing out your promo pack,
Learn the Music business ie read a contract,
Saving money to Buy Equipment, Mastering costs, Production Costs, Promotion costs, Legal fees,etc
Getting your music, artwork, name, legal
Build a studio,
...


Did I forget anything? Im sure i did.

[torrentexpress]

Thought of a couple more...

Designing a website.
Maintaining a website ie updates, blog etc

[pepezabala]

deadlines. no other way to finish anything.

[Patch]

logic_user99 - I agree with you 100%!!! I thought it was just me!!!

I've also got this great fear that I will finish something and it'll be a pile of poop.

Oh, the fear...

[stevenb123]