I have had a lifelong passion for music, and making music, ever since I first picked up a guitar at age 9. However, as an adult now, a few decades on from my first foray into playing an instrument, I've learnt that I find it very difficult to stay focused.

I have a pretty eclectic taste in music, and like all sorts of genres. Whereas I find this a good thing in broadening my horizons, I also find it a curse when it comes to music making and music production. The challenge I face is that I stray from one genre to the other before I even have a chance to complete anything. I know the most important mission rule is to complete the track, but I continuously jump from making a film score track to making a hip hop track to making a techno track to making a folk indie track and end up being so thinly spread that I complete nothing.

Anyone got similar experiences and/or any tips on how to stay focused on a specific genre/style to develop a meaningful portfolio in?

 

Last edited: Nov 23, 2022

Stop thinking that Hans Zimmer is the shit, start realising he's shit. Also, concentrate on one genre at a time; reject working on "film score" tracks: I guarantee they'll all be garbage. As a good way of approaching music, if you have the slightest reverse psych / self-awareness, is to listen to genres that are the "opposite" of what you're trying to accomplish? Helps to give your playing more swing (if it's quant) or vice versa?

On reflection, that might have sounded a lot more harsh than I meant, but it's kind of aimed at myself as much as anyone! =) Try working on (ie) a minimalist classical track, then work on busy funk track etcs. I find that it all sparks improvement, if nothing else?

 

Last edited: Nov 23, 2022

My suggestion will be the opposite of that. Because scoring requires focus. They give you a visual and they want a special feeling in it. Then you work for that purpose. Basicialy you know what to do unless you're working with an indecisive director.

If you don't have any visual (or at least a script) attached your song, it's not a film score. Some people make some noises while trying to make songs. Maybe a bass riff, maybe an ambient drone and when it's not a part of a song, they think it can be used as film score. Then they labeled like that.

Making songs and writing scores are similar but really different things. So, for focusing you can try to write score on some old movies. Take a sad moment and try to make it funny, or take an action scene and make it a horror scene by your music.

TLDR; you need a purpose, a story to get focusing. You need to tell that story by your music. Find something to tell about and start working.

 

I tend to...what were we talking about again?

 

I got one solid tip based on not sitting alone and aimlessly making music without any context and without working with other people

It is called deadlines.

 

That's what I meant, the reason I put quotes around it. You just end up w/ unfocused Zimmer garbage. I guess what works for me when my mind wanders to the next project, ears get fatigued, is to create the biggest contrast and bounce between that and what I'm supposed to be doing. But I think Eddie said it best: panic is the best motivator!

 

Stop thinking about genres and just do you,your own soul your feelings,inject them to your music.What i do is start with a complete blank template not thinking nothing else except what i feel at that time.The focus thing is up to you nobody can help you with that,start finishing your track then move to another its the only way

 

It goes with discipline and willpower. You can also make a deadline. Since there is no outside pressure - like a job with an employment contract, the brain simply tries to solve the vexing problem-solving or "painful" mental work by postponing the problem.

A trick could be to name a goal in the evening and to follow through with it the next day. The brain prefers to do things that are fun for it. Problems must be solved. Otherwise, it will be in your head all the time, which will lead to dissatisfaction. As the saying goes, "Grit your teeth and get through it".

 

Working with / for others may force you to progress..

 

Fuck genres
Fuck being a clone
Fuck selling out for fame and fortune

If you really have something original, and aren't one of the 2 billion no-hopers all treading the same path, wearing the same clothes, singing the same songs ....

Believe in yourself, be yourself and noone else

Get out there and make it happen no matter what

Accept it won't always be a smooth ride. You will meet plenty of sharks, thieves and charlatans on your journey. Rise above!

The right people will find you, to help you on your way

The people will find you

Have no regrets, so give it your best

Good Luck

 

Last edited: Nov 23, 2022

I do a similar thing but from an mixing perspective. A Country song has vastly different mix parameters and production than a Metal track or a Reggae tune.
Hip Hop and R&B different mixing and tricks still. Songwriting is a craft in itself.

This keeps my chops up and opens my mind in production and engineering skills.

You are already creating, that is the hardest part for a lot of people. Completing a project will be inspiring and gratifying. I finally completed a song that was 100% me, all aspects. That was my goal and It does feel good. I'm trying to be a 100%er doing everything from songwriting to final master. If you feel you can't do all the aspects, find help.

I was reluctant to wright lyrics. After focusing on lyric writing, I found online thesaurus and rhyming dictionaries as well as collections of popular phrases. I also started focusing on different song forms. Now its not as difficult as I thought.

Most important: I am learning that before you start have an idea of how you want it to end up. Persevere!

 

Last edited: Nov 24, 2022

Yeah. I can never settle on one style either. Maybe it's ADHD or OCD or both. Examples:
https://hearthis.at/nt6bkb2c/

 

Adderal.

 

it is very easy... fuk the all. stop following anyone..stop watching youtubers ... and that crap.. use your ears and brain..
the computer only computes that's all.. it receives orders by you so... it is not the computer or the software.. or the console or the mix or the master.. or any of that crap... destroy them all in your mind.. obviously you need to have a talent ears.. hands.. or brain .. or
the 3 fo them.etc etc.. forget about perfection... that is crap too. art has nothing to do with a super fasters guitarist or pianist or whatever.. if you are starting well.. the first years are the most mnm... strange and unique.. cos you don't know shit.. the songs you make in the start of your life are very special with time you will destroy your self and create another YOU.. and in a few more years the same.. on and on.. anyhow.. there's no trick only the ones you learn by your self.. in making music..

 

After my therapeutic use became a full blown addiction I had to quit. It's been two years and I haven't produced a single track. Some days I feel like I don't even know how to use a DAW, let alone how to make music.

 

Stop posting on forums. Oh... Crap.

 

i had the most productive year of my life when i had to stop drinking for legal reasons

that said, the muse can return over months or years

look out for it

cheers!

@triggerflipper

 

Last edited: Nov 24, 2022

My response to @bluerover was just a joke, and not based upon personal experience. He was saying tracks are like mood swings or something. I do the same thing; there are just certain BPM I will load up when I'm starting a new project. 130 hmm techno, 100-115 electro, 126 or 128 house, 140 guess, 170 and 174 dnb-ish, but not 172. 165 breakbeat. 160 breakish like dnb, 135 San Fran sicko breaks,

what do you feel like today, positive? maybe a few major key chord progressions to start. lazy too? Write in C sharp Minor.
It's all the black keys. Transpose the entire thing later. 200 comp takes later, chop it up. whatever your type of music, just finish something.
you'll feel better than some self-medication. everyone has problems. have a good holiday.

 

if you can't stay focused maybe it's time to see a doctor.

 

My piece of advice is - stop thinking. If you don't want to play - fine - don't play!
But if you do (and we all ultimately feel this urge!) - just have ideas spread themselves. Don't think about anything else. Once you get the vibe, you'll end up all day playing and enjoying your creativity. Let it fly, don't think about anything else.