Ableton Forum

Hey Guys,
I wrote this blog about Writer's Block that I thought might be helpful for some of you. Normally I'd post the article in full here but this is a pretty long one, so I'll just leave the link & you can give it a read if you're up for it.
http://www.musicsoftwaretraining.com/bl ... the-cycle/

I hope this year has been productive for all of you so far this year.

cheers,
Jason

Is it 12 or 10? Or 11?

Good post though, thanks for sharing!

This one goes to 11

Roll your face on keyboard and quantize to beat. Add reverb to taste and adjust levels. Song done.

thanks for sharing this
a nice read and full of useful information
feel enthused now!

Good stuff, thanks. Always a subject worth addressing. I would add - don't waste time hanging out with or trying to work with people who never seem to make the effort to get past or even recognise their own blocks.

Was 'chasing the dragon' really the phrase you were looking for? Although yeah, that's usually not going to be very good for productivity or quality work...

I have a much simpler but very effective method for creative blockage.

1. If your taking drugs, quit. If your not taking drugs, take drugs.
2. If your in a relationship, ruin it. If your not in a relationship, fall in love with someone.
3. Quit letting your ego write music, start a band based on improvisation, record all sessions.

Great post, really love the blog all around. Thanks for sharing.

JuanSOLO wrote:I have a much simpler but very effective method for creative blockage.

1. If your taking drugs, quit. If your not taking drugs, take drugs.
2. If your in a relationship, ruin it. If your not in a relationship, fall in love with someone.
3. Quit letting your ego write music, start a band based on improvisation, record all sessions.

You forgot

4. Mix all of the above.

oops... 11. sorry for the confusion. Did I mention something about not trying to be perfect?

thanks for the comments!
J

Komodovaran wrote:Roll your face on keyboard and quantize to beat. Add reverb to taste and adjust levels. Song done.

actually things like that can sometimes be cool

It reminds me of when I started out and it was all MIDI - sometimes I'd accidentally send to the wrong MIDI channel and it would sound cool. Especially when it was drum tracks playing sample tracks... maybe you'd have to change a couple of notes but it could be a nice tangent.

have the balls to break the rules, not only to break em, but because there are no rules, including not having rules.
most "producers" and "dj's" these days are more stuck on ego, concept, pack mentality, idiocy, boredom, non-mixing, and satisfying those who are along the same lines. Fuck em all. take people and yourself on a journey. masses don't always equal the world nor do they equal anything really good or great.
go into the past, the real past, and find dj sets and tracks from years ago. you'll find such a diversity of journeys that you'll be like wtf is this bullshit comin out these days.

dont forget you are human first
be your worst critic, and your biggest supporter.
if you suck, admit it.
if you are rugged, admit it. that's only a starting point.
3 minute mixes.
actual slow pinching use of the crossfader and volume
just because something is hard to mix/add to production doesnt mean it doesnt deserve to work to make it work somehow.

Sound design is my N°1 pusher when I feel a compo'lack.
You start editing your own sound and after an intensive week you can go for marvel in composing.
A simple kick or snare drum design can lead to great unexpected ideas and tracks.

Nice article, thank you