In the world of creativity, limitations aren't roadblocks but stepping stones to innovation. As an artist, entrepreneur, or creative navigating this balance between productivity and creativity, it's crucial to embrace constraints and wield them as tools for greatness. It's a frame-of-mind as much as it is hard work. Unleashing Creativity in Problem Solving "I do not allow limitations to hold me back," describes the mindset of resilience and resourcefulness. Viewing problems as puzzles rather than barriers allows one to seek-to find solutions and think outside the box. This can transform challenges into creative opportunities and with the right mindset, even the hard parts can be fun. Collaboration is one example of a potent force that can turn a song-write with limited scope into something extraordiary through shared skills and ideas. these kinds of projects allow for a more expansive creative process, if you can find the right people to work with... DIY Creativity on a Budget Constraints often come in the form of budgetary limitations but these limitations can be viewed as clallenges to birth new ways of being creative. In other words "think outside the box". It's a bit counterintuitive if you've never been exposed to this angle of approach to problem-solving, but as I might say, "You can DIY without breaking the bank, if you can find a creative solution." Resourcefulness is one key to achieving grand visions within financial boundaries and reaching project completion, another key is the making of wise and responsible decisions. Precision in Vision and Decision-Making A well-defined artistic vision is the compass guiding every decision. When goals are aligned with a project's scope, it serve as a framework for decision-making. Effective decisions are born from clarity, focus, and the deliberate elimination of distractions, both internal and external. Choices made from vision and forethought can reduce decision-fatigue (yes this is a real thing) leaving more energy to focus on the fun parts. The Art of Focused Goal Setting "How might setting goals that are realistic to the situation affect the outcome of a project?" asks the experienced creative. Specific, flexible goals acknowledge limitations ensure adaptability. You've heard S.M.A.R.T right? to reiterate from before, the importance of simplicity, clarity of focus, and the deliberate elimination of the consumption of nonsense greatly contribute to effective decision-making, meaning you can do more and accomplish more. Navigating Constraints and Expanding Creativity Constraints, whether artistic or otherwise, are like a fence around the creative scope of a project. Not always insurmountable, but nevertheless a factor in project-development. Acknowledging potential constraints as-early-as-possible will allow you to make decisions with awareness, consciously, ensuring feasibility and effectiveness are in-line with your plan of action. Think outside the box, break routines, and embrace fresh perspectives. these are your tools to navigate constraints and fuel your creativity. Craftsmanship: Meticulous or Experimental? Craftsmanship, a pivotal aspect, varies among artists. Some approach their work with meticulous attention, valuing each decision's quality. Others adopt a more experimental approach, throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks. "It depends," as the producer often says. There is no Right answer Reflect, Refine, Take Action The iterative process, akin to trial-and-error, demands reflection and feedback. Purposeful experimentation, when driven by specific goals, refines choices based on the insights gained. To relate back to what i said about goals, this adaptive practice describes what are known as Flex-goals. While planning can matter, the importance of taking action cannot be overstated; experimentation is a journey of hits and misses. It's also one of the funnest parts of being a creative. Dynamic Harmony
When seeking a balance of productivity and creativity, constraints serve a purpose, they are not adversaries. Your frame-of-mind is the only difference. This perspective opens the doors to innovative solutions that allow one to think outside the box while being confined to a limited scope. Embrace the limitations, refine your focus, experiment purposefully, and let the pursuit of good craftsmanship guide decisions that are considered in-advance of the project where possible. If the unexpected does occur (which it can and it will), remain flexible and keep going. Both productivity and creativity are equally important keys to unlocking artistic excellence. You're doing great, keep going!
Have you ever had a verse and a chorus that didn't fit together? Here are some ideas to help you 'bridge that gap' and 'put the pieces together' Techniques to Establish a Seamless Flow in Your Musical CompositionThe art of composition is dynamic. Various elements that, when harmonized effectively, take the listener on a journey. How do you ensure your music has a cohesive flow between different sections of a song? Whether transitioning between verse and chorus or introducing a bridge, the seamless flow of musical elements enhances the overall listening experience. In this article, we'll explore techniques to weave the fabric of your composition and continuity and flow. Melodic and Motivic ContinuityA motif is like the 'theme' of a song. One of the fundamental building blocks for a composition is maintaining melodic and motivic continuity. By repeating key melodic motifs or musical ideas throughout various sections, you provide a familiar thread that ties the song together. This not only creates a recognizable identity but also facilitates a smooth transition between different parts. Composers often use this technique in Movies. Next time you're watching one, listen to see if you can hear them. Harmonic ProgressionA harmonic progression is the way the chords and notes flow. A consistent harmonic progression can act as a form of musical glue, connecting disparate sections into a unified whole. Imagine a chord progressions that smoothly flows between verses and choruses, or a note common that ties the two together. It can guide your listener through the emotional nuances of your composition without disrupting the flow of their experience. Predictable yet artful harmonic movement can contribute to a sense of coherence and unity. Rhythmic Consistency & VariationRhythm serves as the heartbeat of a song. It can be the most influential factor in the overall feel of a composition. Consistent rhythmic patterns or gradual rhythmic variations contribute to the seamless flow between sections, although abrupt changes can be a stylistic consideration. Keep in mind the context of what mood you're trying to evoke through your music. concepts like syncopation, rhythmic themes, or evolving patterns can maintain a listener's interest while bridging different parts of your composition. Lyrical ThemesThe marriage of music and lyrics is a potent force in composition. Repeating lyrical themes or employing consistent or connected 'imagery' in lyrics can establish a thematic connection between verses, choruses, and other sections. Lyrical continuity reinforces the narrative and emotional resonance of the song. Dynamic Buildups and ReleasesDynamics are changes in the 'energy levels' in the song. Imagine a crescendo (buildup) or a FAT DROP. Strategic use of dynamics heightens the impact of your song. Gradually building intensity in one section and releasing it in another can create a satisfying ebb and flow. Dynamic shifts can serve as emotional signposts, guiding the listener through the peaks and valleys of your musical landscape. Much more interesting than a song that is the same from start to finish. Transitional ElementsIncorporating transitional elements, such as an instrumental interlude, fill, break, drop, or a new musical passage, can act as a bridge between sections. These elements serve to prepare your listener for upcoming changes while transitioning between parts and can help maintain engagement and interest from start to finish. Instrumentation and ArrangementYour choice of instrumentation and arrangement plays a pivotal role. When do you introduce a new element? Consistency or intentional variation in these elements contributes to the overall tonal palette of your composition. It's a key element of good orchestration, where each section complements the others, reinforcing the sense of unity of the piece Tempo and Meter Changeswhile less common in pop music, Strategic changes in tempo or meter can add a layer of complexity to your composition. These shifts should feel deliberate and enhance the musical narrative, guiding the listener through the evolving landscape of your song. ConclusionIn musical composition, the pursuit of a cohesive flow is balance of the elements we talked about in this article combined with experimentation, creativity, and a deep understanding of the emotional essence you'd like to convey to your listener. These are the keys to achieving a seamless connection between different sections. By practicing these techniques, you can elevate your ability to craft compositions that not only resonate with your audience but also push the limits of your musical abiliities.
What is the optimal way to set levels in a mix?The optimal balance of a mix can vary based on the genre, artistic preferences, and the intended listening environment. This article will give you some tips, tricks, and definitions to help you set up one of the first and most important steps in mixing. your levels. DefinitionsHeadroom in audio is the space between the highest signal peak and the maximum level a system can handle before distortion. peak signal in audio refers to the highest instantaneous amplitude or level of a waveform. Monitor peak signals to prevent distortion and clipping. RMS is commonly used to represent the perceived loudness of a continuous audio waveform i think of it as maybe 2/3 of the peak on average (it depends on the waveform) and can be useful to tell you if your tracks are roughly sitting in the same place. Setting peak levels
Guidelines for the numbersTake these numbers with a grain of salt here, remember that in mixing the answer is often 'it depends' the decibel dB reading on your vu-meter may vary depending on how you have adjusted your settings. some have a max 0dB, some have a max of +6.
Always trust your ears! the following is only a starting point. every mix is different.
imagine what might happen if the middle-man became obsolete? It's been some time since i've created an entry here. to me, real life is more engaging than the internet. That being said, it might be time to get active on the web again. I've been following newest Developments in the web3 space. there are some exciting things happening. I see opportunities for artist but the question is... How do we harness it in an effective way. Let's talk about NFT's, creators, meme culture and best practices therein. it's the wild-west out there with a learning curve. consider online spaces where sudo-anonymity reigns, and privacy is always a consideration. Me? I'm working towards unlocking the potential this space has to offer artists. The potential is there, but how do you make it happen? If you think you're going to get signed to a record label in 2024 or put your music on spotify for $0.003 per stream while paying the middleman to access the platform, i've got news for you... There's a better way. Pay attention this year because things move fast. In time the user experience will get smoother but the fundamentals will never change. Imagine, Create, Work-it, and Have Fun the whole time. I'm fascinated by what's possible. To me, Life is the story we are writing moment by moment. & Mastering a 3.5 hour EDM TrackOn New Years into 2023 I Had the honour of tracking a Live EDM set at this nice little tavern. It was a pretty easy-going night, not the huge crowds you'd probably expect to find from a DJ spinning four decks, but this was the 1871 Tavern, just a little spot out of the way where music the music came to life. the volume was a blend of genres that spanned 3.5 hours while touching on a range of styles. some very unique sounds in there to be sure. Here's a taste Volume IIIs Volume II forthcoming? Stay tuned
amazing how goals shift over a span of time... Apparently, years ago I was so focused on getting my music out in front of people.
Thought I had found a missing piece of the puzzle. interesting... Would have been about this time that we would have just disbanded from #beforeourdayjobskillus and The Way Out because I decided it was more important to pursue freelancing Gene Media Productions. It was an experience I needed to have and a lesson I needed to learn. During that time I learned that Satisfaction doesn't come from a career, It doesn't come from an external place at all. it comes from belief, it comes from within. It's reflected outside once one can see it. Turns out I had it backward. yeah, it happens. I can empathize,I've been there too.
Doing it for financial reasons alone, for likes, analytics, or attention alone is seeking external sources of validation which is ultimately not going to bring the satisfaction you seek. it starts within and is reflected in the results you experience because of it, not the other way around. Don't be afraid to do some soul-searching. Don't be afraid to let it rest for a bit. if you can't find satisfaction within yourself, you won't feel satisfied in your pursuit and it'll end up just feeling like a grind. If that's the case, then as a creative, it might be worth exploring a different path for a while. Not quitting, just pivoting to something more enjoyable for the right reasons. Follow your creative instinct, do what feels right to you. Nobody will judge you for it. Maybe after that, you'll come back feeling passionate about picking up the songbook again someday for the right reasons. Do what you will. You are too feable to disturb my serenity. - Seneca
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Gene Media ProductionsCody Gene is an Independent Record Producer from BC Music Methodology & Creative Lifestyle
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