#1
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Avoiding fizzling out when composing
I get a tune going well, section a is good, section b is usually smaller and ok and then section C just fizzles out and I look for a way to end prematurely and the tune doesn't really reach where I was trying to go. How do you deal with this?
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#2
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Spend more time on developing a tune. Some come fairly quickly but most don't. Resist the urge to crank things out to the public prematurely.
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Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above |
#3
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I'm not a composer and not much of a writer at all, but there are many great tunes with just an A and B part. No C, no bridge. Its definitely not a requirement. Think about everything by John Prine, most of Dylan's songs, a lot of Paul Simon, etc.
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#4
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When I was studying composition, my professor said that composition was something that had to be exercised. You have to do it and do it often. Some days you get diamonds, some days you get rust. But do it. So, when I get three quarters and fizzle, I drop the current project and work on something else until a legitimate finish arrives for the first. Then I go back to the project. Otherwise your compositions are limited by the low quality of the material during your fizzles.
When I'm composing to a deadline, say for a score or something, the time between the first attempt and the brick wall and the second and completion may be short because of the deadline, but it needs to happen. You need space when you hit a wall. You also need to be able to relax and forgive yourself for not being perfect and getting it all at the same time because nothing closes the creative tap like frustration with yourself. Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#5
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Good ideas everyone, thanks.
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
#6
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I have one I've been working on since 1972. Any day now . . . .
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Some Acoustic Videos |
#7
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Quote:
Time of day might help.....if you compose always at one time of the day (evening?)change that up and see what happens. Some of my stuff has come along directly as a result of playing in a different physical space, or even outside in good weather. A glass of wine (or 2) can also do wonders!
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1993 Bourgeois JOM 1967 Martin D12-20 2007 Vines Artisan 2014 Doerr Legacy 2013 Bamburg FSC- 2002 Flammang 000 12 fret 2000 McCollum Grand Auditorium ______________________________ Soundcloud Spotify Mike McKee/Fred Bartlett Spotify playlist |
#8
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My songwriting duo partner tells about the song that took him 20 minutes to write. 10 minutes one day, and 10 minutes 10 years later.
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#9
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As has already been mentioned, there's no international treaty that says you have to have a C section.
But if you want one, and are stumped, there are little rule/idea things you can try just to see if something works for a piece: play another section again, but reverse the cadence. Modulate to a new key, including the old favorite switching major to minor or vice versa. The same chord progression, but change one chord. Change the rhythm, not the harmony. Drop the top line melody and just play the bass/lower end notes for a section....There are more of course. There's even the Brian Eno Oblique Stategy cards which tend to be more philosophical/approach-ish. And when you try one of these things it may sound absolutely wrong, but reacting to that can still break you out of your rut in a different direction.
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----------------------------------- Creator of The Parlando Project Guitars: 20th Century Seagull S6-12, S6 Folk, Seagull M6; '00 Guild JF30-12, '01 Martin 00-15, '16 Martin 000-17, '07 Parkwood PW510, Epiphone Biscuit resonator, Merlin Dulcimer, and various electric guitars, basses.... |
#10
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This issue applies to all types of composition, whether music, fiction, poetry, etc.
Sometimes, after working hard and concentrating on a composition, you hit a wall or "fizzle out" temporarily. I just put it aside and let my subconscious play with it for a while. Then I revisit it later with an open, curious, positive attitude. Then repeat as necessary. Like others, I have stuff that came together quickly and some (a lot) still waiting for me to complete. I try to enjoy the process and not get frustrated. |
#11
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Great stuff, thanks again everyone!
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Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |