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Author Topic: Losing motivation to finish tracks  (Read 19217 times)

Triple Dot

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Losing motivation to finish tracks
« on: June 27, 2016, 02:24:37 am »
Hi,

I've been working on 4 tracks lately and they are all pretty much finished some just need finishing touches before mixing and mastering. I was planning to make it into a Demo EP as I've never posted anything before. (Been producing for nearly 5 years).

The thing is I just really can't be f***ed to finish them. It's like I lost motivation for the whole project. I was pretty eager at first and was knuckled down on it for a couple of weeks but now the finishing line is in sight I just cant be bothered to get there.

Does this happen to anyone else? Should I take a week break?
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eidolon

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2016, 03:02:18 am »
if you don't have an actual deadline, i'd take a break from your EP honestly. mixing usually turns out better when you do it in shorter sessions, and sometimes to let songs grow its important to let yourself grow, too.

that doesn't have to mean doing absolutely /no/ music at all, though. personally i get stressed tf out that i'm not making music or doing design 24/7, so even when taking breaks from larger projects, i end up making stuff. maybe make some small sketches to clear your mind, blast your EP in the car, listen to a LOT of different music, or just mess around on an instrument. you could even join in on the forum's weekly beat cypher!! or don't do any music for the week, whatever you think you need.

once you have some perspective, maybe you can figure out what exactly it is about the project that you want to change, instead of just wanting to give up.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2016, 03:05:33 am by eidolon »
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Kinetiik

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2016, 04:06:38 am »
honestly I think this probably happens to most artists. It used to take me a week to write a song and it would be a STRUGGLE to get to the end. Now, I try and do the majority of the work as quickly as possible so I can hang onto the inspiration the originally drove me to that particular track.

I'll usually try and create something new every week which means constantly trying to find new inspiration. I think truly good songs do take longer than others but I think that after hearing the same beat/chord progression/melody etc enough times, we're bound to lose interest. A song is never as good as the first time you hear it.

Just try and take breaks and don't force anything.
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Triple Dot

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2016, 05:31:32 am »
Quote from: eidolon on June 27, 2016, 03:02:18 am
if you don't have an actual deadline, i'd take a break from your EP honestly. mixing usually turns out better when you do it in shorter sessions, and sometimes to let songs grow its important to let yourself grow, too.

that doesn't have to mean doing absolutely /no/ music at all, though. personally i get stressed tf out that i'm not making music or doing design 24/7, so even when taking breaks from larger projects, i end up making stuff. maybe make some small sketches to clear your mind, blast your EP in the car, listen to a LOT of different music, or just mess around on an instrument. you could even join in on the forum's weekly beat cypher!! or don't do any music for the week, whatever you think you need.

once you have some perspective, maybe you can figure out what exactly it is about the project that you want to change, instead of just wanting to give up.

I am glad it is not just me that suffers. I think i'll take your advice because deep down I just want to move on but at the same time I cannot leave something unfinished. I'll have too meet in the middle and take a break and do some other stuff and come back to it with a fresh mind and ears.

Already been watching Game of thrones to disconnect my head from it. Maybe I'll start studying over summer for Uni or do some Sound Design!
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Triple Dot

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2016, 05:33:58 am »
Quote from: KLANG on June 27, 2016, 04:06:38 am
honestly I think this probably happens to most artists. It used to take me a week to write a song and it would be a STRUGGLE to get to the end. Now, I try and do the majority of the work as quickly as possible so I can hang onto the inspiration the originally drove me to that particular track.

I'll usually try and create something new every week which means constantly trying to find new inspiration. I think truly good songs do take longer than others but I think that after hearing the same beat/chord progression/melody etc enough times, we're bound to lose interest. A song is never as good as the first time you hear it.

Just try and take breaks and don't force anything.

You sound like my own conscious talking to me.

I know this already I've just got lost in the process!

Thanks for the reminder!
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manducator

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2016, 08:08:56 am »
Maybe you should take a break indeed. If you really like porducing music, I will see that the attraction to finish the project will come back.
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vinceasot

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2016, 11:39:17 am »
when i start to lose motivation or inspiraiton, i watch youtube videos of my favourite artists like an interview or live set or anything to get fired up again,
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ZAU

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2016, 12:25:37 pm »
Quote from: Triple Dot on June 27, 2016, 02:24:37 am
(Been producing for nearly 5 years)

How many tracks have you actually finished?
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2016, 08:59:41 pm »
silence in between music helps.
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Triple Dot

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2016, 05:19:58 am »
Quote from: ZAU on June 28, 2016, 12:25:37 pm
Quote from: Triple Dot on June 27, 2016, 02:24:37 am
(Been producing for nearly 5 years)

How many tracks have you actually finished?

Loads.

How many have I been satisfied with is another question.....

Finished and good enough is probably about 6 tracks. 

My first few years of producing I wasn't very good at all! It took me a long time to learn how music works.
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alanisnotcool

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2016, 06:25:46 pm »
Yea I can definitely relate to this.

I am the absolute worst when it comes to finishing my tracks.  It usually takes me a short amount of time (30 minutes to a couple hours) to come up with a loop of the main vibes and a few good elements that I end up keeping.  After that I'll create an arrangement that only lasts about 2 minutes and continue to perfect those 2 minutes without expanding on the arrangement.

I think that creating an arrangement first and foremost is crucial to an efficient work session. It has proven to work for me, but do I ever follow this advice? most of the times not haha  ::) 
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2016, 07:07:16 pm »
Some times a song is only a minute or two.

You have to understand the context of your songs, and what they are telling you the direction they should go.

It's a part of understanding that the song is something to consider as well as what you want.

A nice level of respect towards the song should be given if you want to be satisfied with what you make.

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alanisnotcool

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2016, 06:54:06 am »
Quote from: Marrow Machines on June 29, 2016, 07:07:16 pm
Some times a song is only a minute or two.

You have to understand the context of your songs, and what they are telling you the direction they should go.

It's a part of understanding that the song is something to consider as well as what you want.

A nice level of respect towards the song should be given if you want to be satisfied with what you make.



Thanks, thats some really good advice right there! You always have great insight.  I have come to the same conclusions over the years about how songs require a nice level of respect, and it really pays off in multiple ways.

With my latest project, which is the one I was talking about in my last post, is preferred to be at least 4-5 minutes for a proper "original mix" release.  I have my 2 minutes worth, but I now need to build a proper intro/outro to fill the rest.  Or I could just release the 2 minutes and call it a complete work because its my art and I do what I want! ;D
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Marrow Machines

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2016, 06:52:27 pm »
Quote from: alanisnotcool on July 01, 2016, 06:54:06 am
Quote from: Marrow Machines on June 29, 2016, 07:07:16 pm
Some times a song is only a minute or two.

You have to understand the context of your songs, and what they are telling you the direction they should go.

It's a part of understanding that the song is something to consider as well as what you want.

A nice level of respect towards the song should be given if you want to be satisfied with what you make.



Thanks, thats some really good advice right there! You always have great insight.  I have come to the same conclusions over the years about how songs require a nice level of respect, and it really pays off in multiple ways.

With my latest project, which is the one I was talking about in my last post, is preferred to be at least 4-5 minutes for a proper "original mix" release.  I have my 2 minutes worth, but I now need to build a proper intro/outro to fill the rest.  Or I could just release the 2 minutes and call it a complete work because its my art and I do what I want! ;D

Yea, you don't have to release stuff at all man.

The main idea should be just to keep creating.
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ZAU

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Re: Losing motivation to finish tracks
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2016, 12:56:04 am »
Quote from: Triple Dot on June 29, 2016, 05:19:58 am
Finished and good enough is probably about 6 tracks.

Hmmm, you've been producing for nearly 5 years and you've only been happy with 6 of your tracks? It sounds to me like maybe you're a bit of a perfectionist.. which can be more harmful than helpful most of the time.

I think at this point, you should definitely take a break. It's that perfectionism in you that is hindering your progress. I know that sounds weird but just think about it. Also, just wondering but why do you want to make a Demo EP, when you've only been previously happy with 6 of your tracks in the past 5 years? If it were me, I would only feel compelled to make a demo EP if I had at least 100 tracks that I was really happy about. Someone here mentioned it already, you don't have to release anything. One of my professors that went to Berklee once told me that many artists out there would write like a hundred songs in preparation for an album, but only pick the best 12 out of them.

Please watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqZAxLqJkzA

Hold off on the EP idea for now, finish those tracks and keep making more and more.

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