Author Topic: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?  (Read 10158 times)

KovaK

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Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« on: January 08, 2016, 12:14:43 am »
This is a post about writers block and not about ear fatigue.

One thing I struggled with for a long time is learning when to stop for the day.

I get started on a project ready to go and I hit a wall and everything just doesn't flow right and no matter what I do I don't like it.

I usually just hit the wall and then stop for the day or maybe even two, then I come back to it or just move to a new project.

How can I break that wall or is it even a good idea to try? My gut tells me to not try but what does everyone else do?

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2016, 12:17:44 am »
Well, it is okay to stop if you don't have the "flow." But, if that happens too often and you produce only a few hours a day, you really should try to break that wall. Otherwise, you're fine! :D

Knappster

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2016, 12:35:12 am »
When I hit writers block, I believe that the message is I need to dive back into music theory. So I will spend a few days or weeks at least doing something productive. It's awesome because it always somehow leads to something that inspires me to get right back into it.
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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2016, 01:09:53 am »
Something I always do when I've been hit with writers block is take a 5 -15 minute break and do something relaxing. When that doesn't work I spend time making synth patches.
never enough hours in the day

Krazner

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2016, 01:59:47 am »
I find it really important to get my ideas down fast. If I don't have a good structure set out in the first few hours I'm pretty much screwed. The track doesn't have to be anywhere near finished but it's a lot easier to add parts into your set out structure than to create the next section from nothing. Get the foundation sorted and the rest should fall into place nicely.
 


Joseph

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2016, 02:34:40 am »
I usually stop writing music and focus on mixing when I get writers block
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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2016, 01:40:33 pm »
Some days you have it, some days you don't. It's okay to take a break and do something else, what do you think sparks your creativity? The world around you. If all you do is sit in front of a screen all day, it's easy to see why you are having trouble being creative. Go outside, go watch a movie, go play a game, go socialize, and fill your mind with new thoughts to help inspire your art.

Kareem

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2016, 06:34:32 pm »
A key element in music production is consistency. Working 4 hours in a day and then taking a break of 2 days, is not being consistent.

Instead you want to set up a time for ever day. For instance in my case, I produce about 90 minutes a day with a break after 45 minutes. Within these 90 minutes I put up a small goal. I might start with melody & chords and a basic sound idea. This is my main goal for first 45 minutes. After the break I will arrange it into my pre-made arrangement. When the 90 minutes are over, I'm done. I don't produce longer, nor shorter. If shorter, I organize what I made to keep me busy.

After building up consistency, goals are another important subject. Before you start you should set up a goal for your session. Make it a small one. Don't do more. Sure you can do more and work longer. But you create a higher chance to fudge* everything up. With smaller and less goals per session, you'll gain more satisfaction and motivation. Simply because of the fact you accomplished something today.

I hope this helps you a little bit. It's all a mind game, which can be easily overcome with small steps.
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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2016, 06:55:42 pm »
+1 to the last comment! Change the focus to working at least X minutes per day. I try to hit at least 30 minutes, and while most days I work much longer, those days where everything sucks is when hitting your goal really counts.

More often than not, you'll surprise yourself with what ideas happen when you still put in the work. As far as when you stop? As long as you're consistent and put in the time, there isn't really a correct answer.

Regarding the projects that don't feel right yet, to quote Brian Wilson loosely, "try to finish all of your ideas 100%...even the shitty ones." I can't tell you how many songs I just wasn't really feeling until I really fleshed it out, put in the work, and then all of a sudden it turned into one of my favorites.

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Re: Writers block....When to stop producing for the day?
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2016, 08:54:04 pm »
A key element in music production is consistency. Working 4 hours in a day and then taking a break of 2 days, is not being consistent.

Instead you want to set up a time for ever day. For instance in my case, I produce about 90 minutes a day with a break after 45 minutes. Within these 90 minutes I put up a small goal. I might start with melody & chords and a basic sound idea. This is my main goal for first 45 minutes. After the break I will arrange it into my pre-made arrangement. When the 90 minutes are over, I'm done. I don't produce longer, nor shorter. If shorter, I organize what I made to keep me busy.

After building up consistency, goals are another important subject. Before you start you should set up a goal for your session. Make it a small one. Don't do more. Sure you can do more and work longer. But you create a higher chance to fudge* everything up. With smaller and less goals per session, you'll gain more satisfaction and motivation. Simply because of the fact you accomplished something today.

I hope this helps you a little bit. It's all a mind game, which can be easily overcome with small steps.

This!

I started saying to myself: today I will work on transitions for this song and that's it. I just do that for about 2 hours and I make it really tight. (Don't underestimate transition importance in song energy.) Then when my goal is complete: I either stop or just mess around with things that maybe aren't necessary but it's all gravy from there. Spending time everyday is important to keep your skills from getting rusty.....now if only I had that same commitment with my piano lessons.