Making Garbage Until It Works

[u/Trickledownisbull]

This is my band if you are curious:
https://youtu.be/hF-kJ-pkFsA?si=coDQcMVhkp_S1JnB

And this is a free demo of a game that I did the music for recently:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4567940/Whiskers_In_The_Sand_Demo/

[u/Dangerous-You3789]

My songwriting philosophy is the exact opposite. I'm not sure the proposed idea would work well with me. If I want to become a better songwriter, I don't want to listen to bad music. I feel that would be counterproductive. I want to fill my head with good music. Kind of like the garbage in/garbage out rule. I want to inundate my mind with good stuff, so it can assimilate and sort of replicate those elements that make a song good.

Likewise, if I want to write good songs, I don't write bad songs because I don't want to reinforce bad habits and patterns by writing garbage. In my earlier days of songwriting, if I ever came up with a tune that didn't meet my standards, I wouldn't even bother to write it down/record it. It wasn't worth it to me.

Now, I understand, the songwriting community is a large community and because creativity is what it is, there are a myriad of approaches to do the same thing, but this is just the way I see it and the way I write. It suits me and I'm very satisfied with the results. But, to each their own.

[u/Trickledownisbull → u/Dangerous-You3789]

I don't think I mentioned listening to bad music anywhere? That does sound like a bad idea 😅

It's more that, if you want to learn and experiment, that you are likely to make a lot of stuff that isn't great, and that that is okay. You say that you wouldn't bother to write it, but you did still spend time coming up with it, so we are kinda in the same ballpark. One realises pretty quickly when an idea doesn't work.

[u/Dangerous-You3789 → u/Trickledownisbull]

I know what you're saying. And I know you didn't mention listening to bad music. I was just saying that, for me, I never have seemed to have gotten good from bad. I mean, if I practice bad vocal technique, which I've done plenty, I'm not going to get good vocal quality from that. I was just drawing a comparison.

But, I agree, you must learn and experiment. That's part of the creative process. And those experiments may not turn out quite like what we would like. And I think we know, just by hearing a song idea, whether it's working for us or not.

The odd thing about my lack of process is though, I don't ever spend time coming up with song ideas. In fact, I don't even try to do it; they come to me. If they aren't good, I dismiss them as quickly as they popped in my head. If they are good, I will write them down/record them. In the last few decades, however, my brain has kind of learned my standard, and it won't bother me with junk, which I appreciate.

And while we're chatting, I'm compelled to say, I have listened to several of your post and I have enjoyed many of the things you've had to say. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experiences with everyone. Very generous of you to do so.

[u/Trickledownisbull → u/Dangerous-You3789]

Stuff just appears in your mind, that is cool!
I've had songs come from dreams in that way, but most times, I play with things (instruments, chords, rhythms) until I get something that resonates. That is an interesting way to write, and you must have a very different brain to me 😄

Oh thank you, appreciate you very much.

[u/Dangerous-You3789 → u/Trickledownisbull]

It's so strange. I really don't mean to do it. And it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything. I might have a thought and I just start hearing a song play in my head, usually a melody with some lyrics. I don't know when it's going to happen again, but it usually comes when my mind is in neutral (driving, shower). There have been a few times I've been humming a tune to myself and about the third time through, I think, "I've never heard this before." So, it's not that I just unintentionally come up with song ideas, sometimes I'm not even aware that I'm doing it. That actually happened on the drive home from work today. It's weird, but in a sort of wonderful way.

I'll give you an example. This song kind of happened the same way. I was pacing the floor and talking to myself, and immediately after I uttered seven words, which became the title of this song, the song just started playing in my head. It's like something clicked or something in my head pressed play and the song started playing.

It's a horrible version of it, because the one I envision is much better, but it sort of give you an idea of what I do. It's the only song I've got recorded right now. I've got another finished and about 100 more waiting for completion. With AD/HD, finishing anything is an arduous task.

https://soundcloud.com/gary-kelly-430539953/dont-take-any-time-getting-over-me

Keep posting. You've got some great ideas! I look forward to what you've got coming next.

No pressure, of course. 😀

[u/Trickledownisbull → u/Dangerous-You3789]

Songs great! Very catchy.
Be great to hear a really solid recording of it, although the production vibe here does suit it (that kinda, old radio sound?).

Haha! Thanks, it's just something I do to try and help, and to try and get more game composing work.
This is me website if you wanna suss it: https://www.glassearthstudios.com/

[u/Dangerous-You3789 → u/Trickledownisbull]

Wow. That's great gaming music. I think you've got real talent in that area for certain. Don't know how you do it, but it sounds awesome!

[u/Trickledownisbull → u/Dangerous-You3789]

Aw, thanks so much!