Can't Finish Music? You Need To Do THIS! 

Have any tips on finishing music? Whether it's a mindset thing or an action you take, any insight is appreciated!

I feel like this isn't even about music. This is legitimately solid advice for being happier in general.

To paraphrase: “There is the IDEAL version and there is the functional version we actually work with in physical reality.” This is a powerful concept. This is freeing and angst eliminating.

This got way more philosophical than I expected 😂 thank you

As a perfectionist, I needed this. The struggle of commitment is real

I think that it's important for musicians to not get so wrapped up in their own expectations of what the track should or shouldn't sound like and instead allow the track to reveal itself. I'm not saying that this is always possible but it's important for musicians to incorporate these therapeutic music making sessions, where they allow themselves to explore, to discover, to make mistakes, break rules, and let loose. Sit down and start writing without having an end result envisioned in your mind, and just bask in the present moment of curiousity.

"Here's something about music". Proceeds to give incredibly valuable life advice.

This is spot on. I stopped using sequencers and routed all my synths into a sampler. Sampling was a paradigm shift. The process of making music became immediate and centered in the moment, concentrating on the execution. With sequencing, in the back of mind mind, im thinking I can always take out a note here and there, fix the timing, etc. With sampling...you have to be all in. You have to really commit. You’re doing a “take” in the classic sense. I really like the finality of a sample. Your capturing the performance. With sequencing the possibilities of editing are just mind numbingly and obsessively maddening. It changed everything for me. Metaphorically, I went from being a technical drawer, meticulously getting everything right to being a painter, blending colors and throwing paint on the canvas - blending improvisation, curiosity, and exploration with intention, planning, and purpose.

The amount of times I’ve started something, it sounds good, and then I get to tweaking it and end up with something completely different, losing the vibe of the original completely. Rinse and repeat. Great video, thanks for reminding us of all these things that stop us creating music. 🙂

Very wise, so helpful. This is why it is soo important to start with something inspiring instead of the “drums first, bass second, synth third” mentality you mentioned. Applying your own unique approach to a new problem is how great art is made.

Getting DEEP. Best time I've spent on RU-vid in a long time 🤝

Music is turning into life lessons. I've always felt that if you could understand everything about sound and music you would understand the world

Made me look within myself as a musician, I've been trying to struggle less with perfectionism and decision paralysis. Thank you for the tips!

Finish what you start! Constantly reminding myself of this. One milestone at a time.

Wow so true, ill re open old songs i made and oftentimes im blown away at what i made, when at the time i didnt "finish" it because of the potential

wow the timing of yotube recommending me this vid is insane, im literally at the crossroads of a arrangement decision in a track at the moment. sometimes simple examplary thoughts work better than any 'technical' advice

My "trick" is I view everything as a demo. I finish a song and then redo it. then it always seems like its getting better and so much is getting done. i realize if its god enough as a song, in its structure and basic message then someone in a bigger better studio will be willing to make it into its final form. makes everything go so fast and is so much fun.

Old guy learns from the young guy. Pearls of wisdom. Thank you for the powerful insights.

This entire presentation is 100% directly applicable to painting as well as music. On another note, we’ve all suffered through movies where it’s obvious no one on the production team could commit.

The best restaurants don't have a ten page food menu. Simplify, cut things down, impose limits......& use the 80/20 rule. Top video!

A bad execution on a good idea is also much better than a good idea with no execution. You learn from trying, and you can always reuse certain ideas in brand new original ways.

Watched this video 8 times already. This dude dropping some knowledge here. Learning to apply that knowledge is the real challenge

This video is not just about finishing music it's also about life a bit philosophical 👌

Rewatching this video helped me finish my first album. The scariest thing is the feeling of the unknown. Will it be good enough? Could I mix and master it better? Should I have added or cut instruments and sounds? All those questions are always in the back of my mind. I just wanted to say thank you. This video really helped me realize that the album is done and I’m just procrastinating and I have to accept that the album will never be 100% perfect. Thank you! This video along with Venus Theory’s was the reality hit that I needed.

Brian, I realized these self-limitations we should impose, shortly after you may have stopped using your cassette recorder! And I’m so concerned about the damage digital indecision can create in all aspects of life, I stopped what I was doing to listen deeply to this video. The best of your videos I’ve seen by a mile - mind you, I’ve only seen some. Your message is critical - many thanks for it. I used to call it the two-lifetime rule. If I had 160 years guaranteed instead of MAYBE 80, I’d choose to do everything. Your restaurant analogy is perfect. While I think most people understand a bucket list inverse from you, that is, a bucket list is designed to eliminate undesired choices, either interpretation works. Your POINT is what matters. And I said and still say literally, the same words as you- “you can’t do everything.” While I don’t particularly procrastinate, I over-audition sounds - guilty. I do it not because I’m stuck but because I can, yikes. You asked for suggestions. Here are mine that have never failed. In no order: . Have an idea, no matter how simple before launching your DAW. If you have a crap guitar, or playschool keyboard to the finest piano or Stradivarius - come up with SOMETHING before opening the DAW. If you have nothing - and no one really has that excuse, get a card board box and beat out a rhythm. Now - open the DAW and get that idea WORKING. Make that the focus. Say it was a simple melody. Once it’s as good as it will get, now focus on anything really but, we’ll make it a bass that works with the melody. If you’re a professional and feel you ‘must’ adhere to building a low end, bass and drums first - go for it, but still do not move on before the two elements work together. . Collaborate. Just as you say; it’s hard to get people to listen to your music. It's even harder to get a collaborator. Back in ’16 I took a ‘masterclass’ with a classical player in Berkeley, a very serious guy, and I was scared silly. Dude liked what I came up with and has offered to collaborate since. Likewise, one of the kindest guys on RU-vid (you’re also one) hated what I came up with for collaboration. My feelings weren’t hurt so much as I was surprised. We all should swallow our pride and go for it. If you know a friend who’s the greatest jazz sax player, ask him if he’ll play a riff or two. An older person whose played simple organ stuff for 50 years, go for it. Then come up with something that works with their part. Don’t assume others - regardless of skill, won’t collaborate with you. . A famous co-founder of a Berlin software company put it best. Don’t sort of use devices. Learn them. Now I change his advice slightly. Learn ONE, at least. I met one of the highest dudes at Microsoft at a trade show and I said “Word does more harm than good; it’s an aircraft carrier, it’s annoying to look at, it’s feature-heavy - and most folks need a canoe or cabin cruiser, not a carrier.” Guy said “Couldn’t agree more we’re re-coding to place features that aren’t used by many out of the way.” Each big tool in audio is as hard as Word. But you should deeply learn at least one. Say you choose to learn a synth in a DAW. Learn it inside-out. If you don’t it will frustrate you every time you see it! You’ll use a tiny fraction of its power and still have no idea how to use it. I am SO guilty of this. Don’t open a version of a tool in a DAW in 2024 and frown because you know no more than you did in 2018. Good luck to all in music, and thanks Brian, for an indispensable “this is THE video moment.”

This was amazing to listen to! As someone who plays music for a living but can never finish my own ideas this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much I shall be sharing this with other like-minded people

thank you for this explanation that I've been struggling with for a long time and apparently I'm not alone. as they say "it is no matter what one does, you always meet yourself somewhere"

I comment very little on videos, but today felt the need to share how much your content moved me not only mentaly, but emotionally and spiritually also.🎙🙏

I often regret buying all my sample packs and plugins. As a drummer, Im am glad i only have 5 drums and a few symbals to work with. Keeps me focused on whats important and getting creative with it...Playing the drums well.

Heck yeah, shout out to everyone who like me started recording on 4-track cassette.

I started recording in the 1970's on 4-track tape and when we finally got a digital delay, WOW! we gleefully committed that baby. Your advice comes exactly as I waste large amounts of time perfecting things needlessly. They don't get done! Thanks for your guidance, Brian. Folks, listen to the man!

I notice I move much better when I produce or write with people because there is no time to second guess and u have to flow. I know some people that stream producing so they get the same effect of being watched when they’re on their own. Have to be more instinctive with choices.

There are a lot of good points in the video. The menu thing in the video is like those people who follow thousands of news accounts or news websites. It's the fear of missing out, widely known as FOMO. I was always hunting for news until I experienced burnout (not only caused by news, also some serious circumstances). I have cut out most of these interests and now follow the joy of missing out, known as JOMO. Music helped me with it. I came back to making music after 20 years during the pandemic. Now, I dare to release through SoundCloud. The tracks are normally not that what "high level producers" would call "perfect". But I make music for myself. If there are people enjoying my music, I am happy with it. So, I decided to get things done in terms of music. And this is a lot of fun.

I’m so thankful for this video popping up on my recommended. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been so frustrated with music taking forever and not sounding exactly how I pictured, but I now realize that these limitations are what make me unique. Thank you so much for giving me this clarity, I can see a much more enjoyable path ahead of my music from now on.

Needed this

That’s awesome congratulations!

I really need this, gotta get this philosophy going! I should listen to this to start my day every time it's a day for music making.

100% agree!

Thank you, Brian!

Agreed..So many good points. Done is better than perfect.

Def needed this!

Thank you!

I needed to hear this!!

dude, u are amazing.

My boyfriend sent me this video to just share how he absolutely loved this advice and I was blown away. Really intelligent person that even made me feel empowered. I don’t produce music but I sure love music and also agree how you get stuck at a crossroads and just trust that the path you chose was the best and move forward with it. Love it! Thank you! Really also helped my BF think differently regarding music production. 12/10 video ❤❤❤❤

6:30 Sacrifice is one of the most powerful things we can do. Sacrifice will take you to great heights. It'll be worth it in the end, if you make it a definitive choice.

nice. thanks.

Ideas may be gold, but execution turns the ore into the ring.

Thank you ! Great video !

Great video!! 🙏

such good advice!! thanks so much

Nicely expressed! Thanks!

I felt really stuck at the last time when it comes to producing music, this video really helped me to get a other view on things! Thank you so much!

I really needed to hear this, thank you

wise words!

Super Insightful man!! 🙌🙌 Really needed this!!

Thank you for this

Thank you. I needed to hear this for sooooo long now 🙏

Brilliant video!!

I really needed to hear this. thanks man.

great video, needed to hear this, thank you

Nice video Brian! Thanks for creating this.

Gratitude & Appreciation💯

Buffet analogy 👌👍🙏😎

Brilliant video, thank you for this!

I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for making this video! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 you got a new sub here!

hey Brian, its so rare to take a pause and have these reflective conversations w/ making music. actually a breather from all the marketing and skill techniques tips etc that come with it. truly appreciate you reminding me to be authentic. its funny, im a reseller of vintage items and sometimes what i sell has imperfections and a style that i would never find myself wearing, but i just put it out there and it surprises me all the time that someone else liked it and ends up buying it. actually makes me giggle and realize tho it was all worth it. so theres so many life experiences intertwined. much blessings to you brother.

just amazing! thank you so much bro 💛

great video on this subject...thank you for this.

Thank you very much!!🎉

Fantastic advice, subscribed of course

Well said.

dude this is exactly what i needed to hear. i cant thank you enough.

Thank u, bro. It was the better thing I could hear today!

🔥Thank you! I needed that. Happy music finishing ✌️

An incredible helpful video!!! Thank you so much!

WOW!! !! Sermon !!

Very true and beautifully expressed

Thank you so much

🙏thanks , really good talking

This was incredibly insightful & very well articulated. Great video, Brian.

Bad idea with great execution matters more than a great idea with no execution. That is a good one. Thank you for the video!

Amazing video, such good advice for not just creators but everyone 💪🏻

Very insightful. Well said.

You're amazing. Instantly subscribed. Thank you sir. More videos like this please.

What a bada** title and thumbnail 💪💯. Cheers bro 🍻.

This is so my life now! I needed to hear this.

Words of wisdom, thank you much sir!

Great advice

Amazing video ! Thanks so much ! :D

This was such a great (and needed, for me!) video -- too often when working on a track, I stop halfway through, overwhelmed by all the possibilities and disappointed by the inevitable straying further and further from my initial perfect vision caused by my imperfect (if budding) skillset.

Absolute gems in here - excellent advice!

This is an absolute gem of a video. Thank you for the insight and analogies. I'd love to see more content like this

Thank you brother

Thankyou so much for this video. This helps me more than I can describe.

Your book has helped tremendously. Thank you Brian

Big up Brian

This is so real!!

glad we had this chat. Thanks! :)

Funny, yesterday I thought that I have too much gears and it's probably why I'm stuck. I was also thinking - exactly like your said at the beginning - wow, those days when I only had a 4 Tracks K7, a SM 57 and a Yamaha Portasound to make music ... it seems that I was more productive and way more creative. That time, my music had more character and personality, also. Anyhow, thanks a lot. Cheers,