General Music Chat

I have a neverending supply of good melodies that just flow out of me. I have song ideas galore, and I play at what I call a professional level.
When I was in high school, I was in many great bands and always delivered great tracks for recordning. After the drama of dealing with people who either wanted to go a direction with the music, I wasn't comfortable with, or in other cases, a band that would rather spend studio money on weed, I decided to do things on my own. However, when I press that red button and it's time for me to record my song, I either get sloppy, or my supply of great ideas go dry.

It's like I don't hear the music in my head anymore. My inspiration turns into a sterile box of nothingness. One moment I was singing and picking like a champ, the next I choke and lose that flow.

Does anybody else suffer these problems? Is it because I'm trying to do it all myself? I haven't recorded anything that I'm proud of in the last 4 years.

I have that problem. don't know why. In a studio I'm fine. In a prac session with someone else on the recorder, I'm fine. Alone - I'm useless.

been going over dozens of cheesy recordings I've made and just can't believe it. Dreadful. Stoned, straight, drunk, sober - just don't get it right.

I doubt you find my response helpful for which I apologize.

Perhaps the key for you, as for me, is somebody else's finger on the 'record' button?

Talbot

I have to be infatuated with a song before I even work it out. So before I go to record it, I get it down the way I want it.

When I do that I don't get any unexpected studio surprises.

@MikeTalbot Yeah, that's why I always get excited if a band I like announces a producer I know is good.

Some people don't need a producer to push them to make good music. I am probably one of those people. When I was in bands, I would just sort of do my thing. Of course I never recorded in multitrack in the early days. I would always sort of record like a live band. I've always looked up to those old school one microphone for the whole group bands.

When I was a little kid, I had some tenacity. I had a tape recorder and a dual tape deck that I would add parts and record them into the tape. I had some very interesting recordings when I was like 12, that I wish I still had. It didn't sound great in any sense, but the drive I had. If I had the programs and equipment I have now, aint no telling what I would've done.

I am at much more of a beginner level, but I do record, so I know the “button” issue. From the comments of the first two musicians, I am wondering if you react better to the increased pressure when more people are around. You have the ability, and you bring it out, and messing up is more embarrassing. When alone, you aren’t under the same pressure, and therefore maybe a little more complacent. Just a thought.

If this is the case, the question remains of what you do. Maybe you have to practice the part that much more so you can do it no matter what, and with less effort.

Writing and recording are not the same animal.

Write at home or wherever. Do not write in the studio.

If you want to lay down some tasty riffs, use a handheld recorder to get them.

If you are going blank, try writing the phrasing down and create as much as you can before you have to record. That way if you have a large chunk of it, you can play it from start to finish, will at least have something to try and jog your memory when it's time to complete it.

Otherwise you run the distinct risk of losing something possibly worthwhile.

I guess a lot depends on how you prepare to record and how you write songs. For me, the lyrics come first, then the rhythm (guitar or piano) and I get the whole arrangement worked out first.
Then hit the red button, do scratch track(s) of rhythm and vocals, build on those.

Wow Mike, you are right.

I NEVER write lyrics first. Hell, I don't even know what the tune is about until the end, most of the time. I find myself asking, "what does this remind me of or what is this piece trying to say to me"?

Wow Mike, you are right.

I NEVER write lyrics first. Hell, I don't even know what the tune is about until the end, most of the time. I find myself asking, "what does this remind me of or what is this piece trying to say to me"?

Many songwriters work that way, music first, lyrics after to fit the music. If that works for you, great! Just get the arrangement done first, before hitting the red button.
Songs 'come' to me, so maybe I've got it easier than others (then again, maybe my songs just suck). After laying down my initial rhythm track(s), I'll pickup the bass/plug in the keys/grab an electric guitar/etc and those parts will just come right out of me. I rehearse them a few times, then hit the 'red button' and record a few takes (or a few dozen for a lead part).

For me, lyrics first is 90% of the time. The words sort of fall out of my head in a rush - I type them in or write them in ink on my forearm.

Then I read, edit and the music begins to emerge.

I'm working on one now where the music came first and I have lyrics that I think should work- but I haven't been able to tie it tight enough to sign off on it. It's harder that way for me but it also takes me down roads I might not otherwise have noticed.

Talbot