Ableton Forum

I want to know what other people's experiences are of creating music in almost complete isolation.

i compensate with loads of drugs, alcohol and woman.

the pressure is just to much to handle.

does your health insurance pay for that?

nope, i have to mug old people on the street to finance it.

Thanks for taking the time to answer honestly. Yes, health insurance pays for it.

WTF?

jeez, don't give up so early... someone would possibly come up with a none joke answer.

i just don't know, i do most of music completely on my own, very little cooperations lately, unless it is some job / client related issue (to get back to your original question) but i honestly never ask myself those questions or reflect why or how i do something, usually i just do, not much thinking involved, just keeping on doing, doing, doing...

and usually to much at the same time... multitasking up to total insanity.

madness i will have to pay for probably sooner or later in the one or other way...

but that's me i can't stop.

cheers

What do you mean by "almost complete" isolation.
It is really hard to be really isolated, I tend to. I make music alone, and I love to shut down my cell phone, close the doors, and make 24hours of sound.
Going out in the country for a week would be awesome. But you know, girlfriend, family, and friends if you have some...

Starkravingdead wrote:I want to know what other people's experiences are of creating music in almost complete isolation. I haven't made easy demands of myself: I must write music with coherent lyrics, be able to play multiple styles and more often than not, incorporate a grandiose vision. I have to play multiple instruments (keys, bass, guitar, keyboard drums), sing, record, programme and produce everything in isolation (I don't claim to have mastered anything!).

As you might imagine, it often gets too much. So, I want to hear from anyone who is in a vaguely similar position, particularly if you make similarly ridiculous demands of yourself and have an "artistic" mindset. How do you handle it?

Links to your music no matter how "in progress" are appreciated!

Ive been working on a single project alone for over 4 years. Usually starting all over again every 4 months or so. There have been times when different objects have been flying out the window, in my desperate attempt to cool things down.. This cycle stopped about a year ago when I "found my thing".
I play drums, guitar, bass, piano and sing. I also learned how to scratch about a year ago. Before this 4-year-thing I didnt have any idea on how to make music electronically.
So for me its all about learning and understanding more and more, and take pleasure in hearing my music evolve over time and slowly turning into "me", in a musical sense. This is whats driving me. Being able to hear the music constantly moving forward and getting better all the time.

Once in a while, when I lose my inspiration or objectivity, I smoke a joint to rearrange my perspective on the music. I definitely recommend it!

But most of all..: The search for originality in a world full of copycats and wannabes...!

Any links to your music, Rabalder?

like subfunk, i don't exactly think much about it. i just do. i start a project and things just somehow get a flow. i also don't second guess myself that often unless the ideas are just way off.

I love creating music on my own, no one else dictates what I do or when I do it. Reminds me of my absolute favorite quote:

"Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make."
-Bruce Lee


Even hung that on my studio wall.

Tarekith wrote:I love creating music on my own, no one else dictates what I do or when I do it. Reminds me of my absolute favorite quote:

"Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make."
-Bruce Lee


Even hung that on my studio wall.

great quote!!!

+1

Starkravingdead wrote:Any links to your music, Rabalder?

Sorry. Not yet anyways..
Not even my closest friends has heard anything except a little pointer here and there..
I find it very inspiring to be the only one on the planet living inside my musical universe..
Its like having a gigantic secret that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
I really hate getting criticism on unfinished music. It kind of distorts my perception and makes me very insecure about everything. So now I dont have to. Suites me perfect!

Rabalder wrote: Sorry. Not yet anyways..
Not even my closest friends has heard anything except a little pointer here and there..
I find it very inspiring to be the only one on the planet living inside my musical universe..
Its like having a gigantic secret that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
I really hate getting criticism on unfinished music. It kind of distorts my perception and makes me very insecure about everything. So now I dont have to. Suites me perfect!

Mm, I know exactly what you mean. Its impossible for me to listen to my music without getting an attack of criticism and self-doubt. I try to bear in mind a quote by Gustav Mahler: The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to go one's way in life and work unerringly, neither depressed by failure nor seduced by applause.

You should not hide what you have created forever, it makes sense to share it at some point, regardless.