music and life...

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:24 am

it's almost one year that I really stopped to write music, I tried to subscribe to the OSAM project but nothing, after a first song (it was a draft indeed) I didn't create anything anymore. I'm even stacked with my band's album... neither I study any sheet music anymore at the piano or fisa. I created some sounds on my sinths and many time I noodle for a few minutes without any goal, then I shut off everything and I go back to do something else.
All these problems started from the exact day I started my new work, it seems that I want to spend my remaining time just doing anything, just relaxing without any sort of productivity.
I thought it was a momentary problem but after a year I start thinking the problem is really big...
any help, ideas, input will be really appreciated.
Regards, Lorenzo

EJ2 · Post by **EJ2** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:25 pm

Hi Lorenzo,
These things happen, don't they. Now, your musical creativity is simply incubating for a while waiting to hatch. One day/evening, you'll run into an outpouring. You'll see.
Cheers,
Jim (I'm using the name I grew up with instead of Eric. It's also time to get back to my old self.)

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:34 pm

It happened to me, right after I finished remodeling my studio.
Like you, I would sit, and noodle, but after a short time, just shut down, and walk away.

I refused to give up, but got really frustrated after a few months.
One day I was unpacking a box of items that were to go back in the studio, and ran accross a CD I thought I had lost, it was Spyro Gyra's Feel the Magic, one of my all time favorites, so I put it in the CD player, enjoyed it as always, and sat down at the keyboard, and hammered out a song.
It wasn't my best work, by any means, but it broke the ice.
Listening to Smooth Jazz has always inspired me.

Do you have a favorite CD? Might be worth a try.

Good luck to you Lorenzo, I know how this feels.
Regards,

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:50 pm

EJ2 wrote:Hi Lorenzo,
These things happen, don't they. Now, your musical creativity is simply incubating for a while waiting to hatch. One day/evening, you'll run into an outpouring. You'll see.
Cheers,
Jim (I'm using the name I grew up with instead of Eric. It's also time to get back to my old self.)

I read on the other thread about your "new" name

well it seems to be something like a rebirth isn't it?

@Stephen
well it isn't a real lack of inspiration but the opposite, I have many and many ideas but I simply can't find the time and the energy to develop them. It's a strange situation hope it will be finished soon... I started too many things in my life and I never finished one, maybe this is the right time to put all my energy into a single project and finish it.
I'll try to do my best

EJ2 · Post by **EJ2** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:09 pm

I read on the other thread about your "new" name well it seems to be something like a rebirth isn't it?

Actually, to me, it's my old name, the name I grew up with and felt comfortable hearing. With the exception of all the fine folks in the various forums I attend, the sound of Eric has come to have more serious (sometimes negative connotations). It's a long story that some people know about....

Cheers,
Jim

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:29 am

Lorenzo, I've been there, too. The old saying "the less you do, the less you want to do" rings very true here. I got around the very same situation you find yourself in by forcing myself to write something, anything every single day. It doesn't matter what it is, it can be any old crap, but the point is you re-cultivate the habit of writing. You get it back into your daily routine.

Your new job created enough of a distraction to pull you away from the music, so now you have to work at making the music enough of a distraction to get your mind away from work, and the only way to do that is getting back into the habit. YOU CAN DO IT! There, there's a title for you to work on already.

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:55 pm

I agree with the last point. I think with this sort of mental block it would be good to force yourself to turn on your instrument at least a few minutes everyday and record some simple thing and build on it. Even if it's not that great, you will find a new voice that way. And you will not just give in to the urge to turn off and relax. Relaxing is easy, creating something beautiful takes much determination. But which will truly make you happier. You have amazing talent. Please don't waste it. Someday you'll be old and wish you had spent more time creating music only you can do.

Kontrol49 · Post by **Kontrol49** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:13 pm

Every musician goes through this stage at some point,I've certainly suffered from time to time and will almost get there again in the future,its simply a way of refreshing the creativity.

For me the biggest obstacle was overcoming the pressure I placed on myself to make use of all the gear I had,like some kind of guilty pleasure,after I accepted that I couldn't spend all my spare time being in the studio,and had to manage my time more productivly it certainly pushed me into using what time I did have wisely.

However something I have always stuck to,is if I cannot grab a few productive hours in the studio working on my songs,I'm happy to have a few minutes at the keyboard and create a new song or riff,and this is a daily ritual,this to me is more than enough to justify the money I've spent on instruments,I think having a talent to write songs is more gratifying than being a producer,after a few weeks of doing this some of those small snippets I've created have been made into a full songs by combining those phrases or chords.

Having some time away from the production or musical process also gives you some perspective over what your doing and able to focus in a different way when you do return,because chances are as a musician along the way of that break you've picked up some more inspiration to spur you on subconsciously,Being musically gifted is a talent that will never dissapate from your drive because its a gift you can't compensate with something else,once you've felt the power and emotion of creating a song,its like a drug,no matter how tough and challenging things will become in the boredom of lack of creativity,you know you'll come out of it stronger and more determined and more thankful for when those precious moments finally come out.

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:14 am

Yes, yes and yes, georginar and Kontrol49. I hope our friend Lorenzo is following this thread and hasn't already given up on things. I seriously doubt that. You know, it's like riding a bike, really - you never forget how to do it. Git 'er done, Lorenzo!

Lorenzo · Post by **Lorenzo** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:29 pm

Giner wrote:Yes, yes and yes, georginar and Kontrol49. I hope our friend Lorenzo is following this thread and hasn't already given up on things. I seriously doubt that. You know, it's like riding a bike, really - you never forget how to do it. Git 'er done, Lorenzo!

I follow this thread and no! I didn't give up! I reorganize my whole studio to have everything under my hands when I have to record something! so no more excuse for me! I'm finishing the album for my band in these days and the last mixing and mastering will arrive soon. I have so many work right now... but I have some good energies in this period, and... ehm ehrrr... and a new toy will come tomorrow... a wavestation AD will find place in my new setup

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 3:53 am

That's good news, Lorenzo. Good on ya!