“Don’t get it right. Just get it written.” - a creative writing tutor at Oxford U recently said that to my wife’s class. Applies to equally to us, I think.
So true in everything. Unless you are trying something really dangerous which may hurt you or others, try and get it done. After all, nature hasn't stopped. Life began with a few cells, not with complete geniuses like us... :))))
So true. I have so many unfinished tracks recorded (and the rest is all on my head) that I'm always afraid of finishing, idk why. Sometimes all you have to do is write the damned thing
Totally, Totally! Get it on PAPER!!! Screw phones and computers, write it down. Old I.T. joke: Whats the difference between a nun and an IBM? The nun won't go down on you!
When I trained in the Royal Marines in my country we got this slogan beaten Into our souls. "the average train until they get it right, the best train until they dont get it wrong" It can applied to anything in life, being elite in anything means being able to deliver an almost flawless execution of fundamentals consistently. That is what truly differentiates the amateurs from the pro:s in all things. I couldnt agree more with what was being said in the video on that front :)
Thanks for mentioning the perspective you got from the Royal Marines. It engenders excellence but with a different approach to just 'getting there' on its own. The RM are reknowned!
I used to write loads of stuff on keyboard as a teenager, when I had no self-doubt or anything. I'm much more conscientious now, which is probably a limitation. Sometimes the best thing is just to get going, and keep refining what you've done, rather than try and nail a perfect song the first time round.
Keep going, it really is like a bell curve. Once you push through the wall of over-conscientious blockage, you return to your initial freedom but with knowledge of your craft and higher wisdom on your side. It's a bit like the social aspect of the human experience really: when you're young and naive, you have blind trust towards others until you get hurt, and the more and more you learn about human beings, the more you become cynical. But you can overcome your cynicism by reaching back out towards others (knowing this time that you're putting yourself in a vulnerable position), acknowledging that there are just as many snakes inside your heart as there are in others, but accepting that the only good way forward is through mutual trust. We have this artistic relationship with ourselves as composers: we are first naively unaware of all the "faults" we can commit, and the more we learn about everything we can do "wrong", the less we are willing to open-up and create. The solution really is just to embrace our imperfections (without totally abandoning our desire to be as good as we can be at our craft) and trust ourselves to keep learning and going forward artistically. Oh dear, I wrote a wall of text again. Sorry for the TEDx talk.
@Stream of Consciousness At the risk of sounding slightly elitist, I have to disagree with your notion that "The best Music is written by young people with limited motor skills and very little theory sitting on the edge of their beds". That may be the case for pop music (although I can easily think of many pop stars who have a background of formal classical training), but if you look at the immortal masters of concert music, you'll notice that they all had a profound understanding of harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, etc.
Perfect is often the enemy of begin. I have to remind myself that I am playing, and playing means not keeping score. Good luck to you getting back some of that teen-age confidence.
Even at age 77 the work I’ve done on Guy’s courses had been so useful. This man is so right about learning how to use what you’ve got and make it better. Thanks Guy.
"Do the fundamental things really well" This statement applies SO PERFECTLY to my area which is colour grading for film. I started off using all the tools and copying the greatest colourists....never got anywhere Now I have a very uncomplicated workflow which I focussed on perfecting and now I've got more work than I can get done. Great video!!!!!!
While most shark species have to keep moving to breathe, some breathe by way of buccal pumping, actively “inhaling” water by using cheek muscles to draw it into the mouth and over the gills, and they can stop moving. Sorry, couldn't resist. As always, thanks for the lesson Guy!
And some sharks, especially ambush predators, rest on the ocean floor in currents, so that the water naturally flows over their gills or through their mouths! So glad someone else felt the need, lmao.
I write music and study production at least 4 hours a day, normally at least half of it never sees the light of day. I put it some of it out there under copywrite free with restrictions, Record and list as many compositions under Socan (Canada) I take any opportunities I can get to play live and will create opportunities for other musicians if they make a small commitment, and that is not easy. If you need a choir, well you have to create one from the ground up rather than using Spitfire plugins or whatever VSTs The pandemic for all manner of reasons has taken the wind out of my sails and confidence. I was just getting comfortable with accompaniment, live theatre, plays and cues and such While I know way more now than I ever imagined, getting old sucks. If I manage to monetize anything, I would feel a tad better. My young friends and peers have some common sense, just making beats, for a few different genres, hiphop, edm and so forth. If one knows how to localise music for a non speaking english market thats good, even Gaelic, various indigenous dialects thats good. Unlike the past, money is the kick, and what is better when people as you what you would like and need, anyone who has the knowledge to half tune a crumpy piano on the fly, or clean a dirty pot on some gear, that is a kick The one skill I never utilized being young, was organizing people, giving orders, being polite, say no thank you but we will try this out. I never realized I had that skill. Its taken me decades to get and likely too late for my musical adventures It basically works for me in my work and other projects I am involved with, including large communities of people.. For my friends who are trained teachers they get most of this. Its brutal for me as it is lots of musicians. Hell I dont like rotting away trying to be a composer, one of my best friends thinks music is easier than being a professional visual artist, playing together, I dont like making musical conversations with myself, its like me playing chess with me., and I dont exactly like conversing with synths and pads (other peoples inventions) by myself. Music is not always a healthy occupation. Its like rubbing yourself raw.
"don't try to replicate VH or John Williams if that's what you grew up with". *sheepishly looks around and starts sliding sheets of the table into the bin* :D
There is nothing wrong trying to replicate other people.. as long as its to LEARN how to get the same sound as them or the same style, it's a good way to learn. But aside from learning, yes, its bad because you gotta be true to yourself or you won't be happy with your music, truly.
@@Broth3rz I was thinking about this yesterday. My reply was ofc tongue in cheek, and I totally get what Guy is saying (you don't make new music by writing old music). Learning those works is of course enjoyable for other reasons - they're great tracks to play and feel, particularly in some live setting (playing or listenin). I do think the best writing can talk influences though, but probably from multiple genres. Symphonic metal exists because some people liked metallica AND Mozart AND folk. New genres appear by taking the best of everything, and if you've never practiced the style, its going to be tougher to pull off successfully.
@@paulmdevenney I would say to listen to a track and take notes, not on the melody, but on the feel, on the instruments, key, etc like "the begining is airy and wide, with only bass and drums" and then you do a track starting like that. Completely different style and rythm, etc but it has those key elements. "the middle part has an exotic solo" and then whilst you're making your own track you make small adjustments and create your own things. You can barely tell it's from somewhere else because it comes from you
there is nothing new under the sun, our styles are an amalgamation of that which inspires us. I have had many influences from many different genres, I have just absorbed some those influences into my own style and tried to make it my own. Coming from a hip hop, drum n bass and urban music production background I have found that composing and not sampling allows me to express myself, using the tools and techniques Ive picked up along the way. My influences range from Diamond D to John Williams, The Beatles to Hans Zimmer, to Aphrodite and hundreds of others. Through replication we find ourselves, then we apply what we found into our own compositions without trying to sound like somebody else. Our best work comes when we express OURSELVES, and know how to do it.
Thanks Guy…. Favorite comment was related to “you can’t teach this, …we enable learning”. This is so true, and in the same sense as “you can lead a horse to water…..etc..”. students have to want to learn from the head and the heart, or it’s not going to be easy!
Point 1 can be debated, Point 3 is a given, but Point 2 is the only real point that matters. It is the core foundation of the creative process - regardless of influences and inspirations from others, originality is the prime motivation of all creatives.
I absolutely agree with everything you are saying Guy. Having spent around 20K on hardware software and sample libraries, I can confirm it is The Music! Studying, experimenting, persevering and paying attention. It takes dedication and commitment just like every other worthwhile, value area of life. And it has taken me 8 years since University where I studied Music for Film to realise that.
"Some of the greatest music in the world was written just on a piano" -- Which was a huge piece of technology in Bartolomeo Cristofori's time. Thanks for all of your great videos Guy. You're a huge inspiration!
When I get bogged down with trying to be PERFECT, I have to step back and just listen and see if it really feels good. Sometimes I overthink maybe my song isn’t catchy or written well but then it really gets me thrilled when I find out, I’M ON IT
Perfectly put. The fundamentals of music have nothing to do with the technology you use and if you can't make someone feel you haven't done the job right.
Hi Guy, I just found this video and wanted to say thank you. I recently graduated from a music and composition degree and have been struggling with impostor syndrome (the very advanced and deeply talented students of my age didn't help). Anyway, it's good to hear that I'm not alone. At the end of 2022 I had to conduct my compositions for my finals, and with a big orchestra ensemble, in front of a big audience, I completely failed and had to just go along with it. (bad cues and whatnot). Anyway, I'm thinking of starting a university program for television and video game composition, and even though I don't have the right gear for it, I'll keep composing, so thank you. -Thomas
6:49 Absolutely right. highly gifted photographer takes amazing outstanding impressive fotos out of the worst camera they can get with no problems. It’s never the gear itself.
The kind of fish you're thinking of when you mentioned sharks is pelagic fish,eg tuna. Those are fish that can't stop moving. :) Great video too thanks!
Great Wisdom here. I always feel a really fun energizing vibe watching your videos. Guy is the neighbor or friend you hope to have but in practice you meet one or two people of that caliber your whole life. Always lovely advice, very practical, but also a fantastic energy to everything you do. Awesome work. And the crux here is of course on target. Fundamentals, fundamentals. I've definitely found myself spending hundreds of dollars on synths and software just to 'watch it go' for 10 minutes 😄. But I do find given enough time I work my way back to it and dig in properly. Well as far as these things go. I'm a software developer, mountain biker, and skier, among many other things, so music is largely a passion I spend a few hours a week on really. But still an important hobby for me as it's transcendent in a way that other things aren't.
I personally don't think its worth worrying about it anymore, the industry is beyond saturated and the money has virtually dried up. Anyone thinking they'll make a career in this game needs their head read. Just muck around with synths and stuff in your mancave on the weekends, buy stuff that makes you happy. I've purchased a number of Think Space courses, they're great. But they won't magically make work appear out of thin air for me.
I start with an interesting phrase, chord sequence or melody and in its simplest form make it into a whole. From there I embellish, allowing it to be arranged and parts joined cohesively. I then try a similar approach to the original idea to get variances which can then find themselves embedded into the original. If it needs lyrics/singing, they follow. Other instruments or percussive elements, next. Then comes the mix and master. First and foremost, get the idea down in sketch form because ideas can flit away like butterflies if my concentration is interrupted. Technology bogs me down, so I start with the simplest of instruments, recording to a portastudio and move onto DAW much later. That's my ten pence.
1. ... that I knew the importance of writing my music down. I didn't understand this until some ten years after I started to compose as young teenager. It wasn't that I wasn't able to - I just didn't understand the value and importance, since I thought that my remembering my music in my head was enough (regardless of setting). 2 ... how to get into contact with the right people within the musical field. Today, at least, I know you to book a lesson with someone and so on. 3 ... that ultimately I decide how to do with my music and that I don't have to care about negative people. Getting advice and getting your music reviewed is good. But never change anything if you don't agree and most of all - don't let your other people say take your passion and love from you!
Finally truth. Art is always looking for something new and creativity is not easy because first person have to honest to her self and that will reflect to the outside world and actual World is so big and it is full of copies so be honest and be ready to give your best in some way of trying and paying for success but all that needs to be beautiful same as Life is beautiful.
Thanks for that heads up , I have the luck that I just channel unique music . Just sitting down and letting it flow, enables me to “ compose” my own style of music. It changes quite drastically like my first track on my channel “Bene Sit” starts very boring but at the middle it starts becoming chillingly epic. I am very thankful for your channel with good tips and tricks and a good dose of humor. Make it a great day and keep sharing your knowledge with us. Wish you all the best, Chris.
Everything you said is on point and an example is Blinding lights - The weekend is just remake of old song with his touch and it was extremely successful.
I repeat... film producers, executive people, investors are not musicians/composers !! Unfortunately, they end up settling for the little familiarity they've developed over the years with famous music.... your most original and/or unique creative writing might be appreciated by some, but unless you're famous, probably not used in the film. So, as to Guy's thoughtful and appreciated insights: Yes and No. Hate to brag but I also feel I need to qualify my opinion here... I'm on Wikipedia for the music I've written, so here's my take...: I understand/know/or have analyzed in depth (sometimes..) some of the scores from Williams as much as Zimmer's... (Elfman, James Newton, Desplat, Gregson, Schifrin, Mancini or Goldsmith... how about Max Steiner?) I did it just for the love of Music but for my continued education after college as well. I might be confident (or look like I am when I have no clue what I'm doing... it's very important.. ;-) but still humble enough to realize it would be helpful to know what A-list guys were doing.. Did I end up influenced? You bet..! Simply because in the process I realized a lot of their ideas were damn good and effective. Not only their choice of genre and their melodic and harmonic writing of course, but many other aspects related to the mechanics of film scoring.. such as tempo changes, key signatures/modulations, and the use of the orchestra in general (instrumental ranges, textures, etc) But do I try to "replicate" (to use Guy's language) what they do? Absolutely Not. I can't in fact... because the whole point of creativity for me and the challenge it represents, is to come up, enjoy and decide the final product, all on my own ;-) Having said that... what are we talking about? A film composer finding of his/her unique "voice" as to avoid sounding like a copycat of the music or scores that to begin with, inspired us to be composers in the first place? The music that is tattooed in our hippocampus and that we grew up with for 20 years...?? Yes, I agree... if we're going to be true, genuine and original artists... it would greatly help to become aware and bypass anything too close sounding to any of our influences (at this point I can't help but grin and/or laugh..) Give a group of children blank canvases and ask them to paint a tree... none of them will look like the next one. Some students will prove that they were artists from the get go... some others will not. Simple answer. By the way, developing your "own talent" (the definition of artistry) can and should be prioritized and encouraged.. but ultimately, there's no amount of college courses that can or will teach that ... The only answer I know: Trust what you feel.. Do you know when something of your own moves you ? Great subject to explore...Never seen it in a college course though... ;-)
Case in point; I used ot know a very clever guy who had a motorbike crash and as lucky to survive. It opened his mind up but he became obsessive - he got a guitar teacher who didn't take on beginners and in one week he learnt scales, modes an chords. Within six weeks he had learnt just about everything the guy could teach him. Was he any good? NO! It was like listening to a robot play as he hadn't ha time to absorb and play around with ideas and get a feel for the instrument. Sadly he committed suicide about ten years ago as the paranoia and frustration got to him.
Yes. first: KISS Keep It Simple and Stupid, Second: Music changes so you have to adapt Third: Use the technology but sometimes the latest thing is not a talent replacement. I ve just subscribed.
Hello Mr Michelmore, really enjoy the channel. Love what you shared today. I have been a professional musician for more than 30 years. I teach music, perform it, write it, produce it etc. The one thing that I try to get across to my students is exactly what you shared. As I teach I try to enable my studends by giving knowledge but also to impress on them that knowledge is only a part of the journey of truly being a pro. One thing I have been doing is getting my students (my theory students that is) to get away from the computer and the synths and just write with manuscript, a pencil, their ears and their imagination. I find computers are tremendous tools for creating just about any type of music we can think of. But they are also the biggest hurdle when developing virtue and artisty in music. Thanks for your wisdom.
I dont have nearly enough time as i would like to create music, but watching your videos is always an insightful and constructive experience, and knowing ill come back to watch them later when i get the time to do so. thanks for everything you do guy.
HI, Guy, greetings from Argentina! I'm a 71-year old young man following you since the start of the pandemic, and I've always enjoyed your videos and your teachings a lot (and learned a lot too) Today you reminded me of when David Foster, who was working as a session keyboardist for Quincy Jones at that time, was told by him "You know David, it doesn´t matter how many inversions of C13aug9 you know, in this business everything starts with a good song" Keep them coming! Cheers.
Our music compositions have to be simple, because the collective musical intelligence of the ears of the listeners is following the algorithms of Spotify right down to the lowest denominator.
I believe most of the people ur referring to would have never been into music if it weren’t for the basic simple Spotify algorithms. Not everyone has an ear for music, for some people it’s just too much. I think those algorithms you’re referring to do a lot of for musicians and music. Better to get someone into simple music than never at all.
Hello! With love from Kazakhstan, yes uploading a flash drive with information in my head would be cool ahahaha. Thank you for this video, it is useful in the beginning of the creative journey and confirms my thoughts. I always come up with a melody on the piano first, as I think the whole narrative in music comes from the instrument. Thank you!
"Complexity does not mean better", is something I struggle with to this day. I often avoid "simple" songs, because I feel they should be more complex to be more original. As a teenager, I was big into Thrash metal and kept writing crazy complex songs, before Pantera taught me simple can be good. I dont really write metal as much anymore, but its something I've struggled with for a decade now. Great advice. Follow what sounds good
And You sir...are an amazing Fun based teacher working at Very high cognitive levels. I add this after 35yrs teaching others. "Emulate the best as the Starter & Improve even that. There is no competition for the best"
This raised two questions for me: 1. Aren't music-for-media libraries always emphasising the need for authentic-sounding tracks? In that case, wouldn't it make sense to stick to genres you love and know intimately? 2. Again regarding authenticity, wouldn't that involve careful research about the gear/technology you need? If you wanted to create vintage-sounding music for film or ads, surely you'd need to pick gear that can recreate that convincingly?
Hello Guy, I was worn out this evening, and beating myself up for not getting to grips with music theory homework I'd planned. A musician friend emailed the link to your channel. POW! KAZAM! I've chuckled my way through basics, circles and composing all evening, happily regaining the FUN of it all. Thank you so much. Looking forward to tuning in tomorrow. Sx
guy you are absolutely awesome! I love your videos, you are so charismatic! with great advice. also you remind me of my late uncle GT. I have a very large family but he was and still is very loved. cheers my friend from Chicago!
Beautiful comment on teaching anything! I teach language by training my students how to learn by themselves. The methods and mindset I help them acquire will do far more for their future success than any amount of data I could try to cram into their skulls.
Do the fundamentals really well.... My voice professor in university always emphasized this and I was reminded of this when I read through the book "Effortless Mastery" by Kenny Werner. The book gets a little weird into new age concepts, but if you can overlook that or embrace it if that is your desire, it's an excellent resource for getting back to basics. Basically, his overarching theme is and I'm paraphrasing, "master the simple things first before going on to more complex things." If I had a nickel for every time I reminded a beginning piano student to slow things down, master them, and then slowly speed it back to the correct tempo, I'd probably be much more well off financially. I really appreciated your comment about imposter's syndrome because unless you came from a family devoid of any form of dysfunction, you're likely to have at least a few insecurities or hang-ups. I just try to remind myself that there's "always going to be someone smarter and better at it than me" and not to compare myself with others. I don't always succeed, but I'm getting better at it. Regarding technology, early on I fell into the mode of being a gear junky and spent a lot more money than I'd care to disclose. Lately, I've gotten a lot better at curbing my expenses and limiting my purchases to only those things that will truly benefit my composing efforts. Do I like the Console One fader? Absolutely! Do I need it for orchestral composing? Not so much. So, I've purchased a simple three fader control surface and no, it's not the monogram cc or nuances or any major commercial brand, but a very inexpensive controller from a lesser known company (not mine). I paid $90 for it and it works great! Would I prefer the nuances or monogram cc? Probably, but I'm trying to stay within my budget. I did however purchase the standard version of PianoTeq after hearing Guy use it in one of his videos and briefly mentioning it. It simply "blows away" all of the other sampled piano sounds I have been using.
Not to copy others is actually the best way to make music and to be honest, it’s the only way I know how… even if I would want to copy I could not… 🤟🏼👍🏼 that’s what makes us with my band great to listen to and to watch. We play with passion ❤️🔥 and fire in our hearts. The attendance feels it, the emotions are shared, our lives are incredible in sharing positive energy !!
you the best guy,I'm gearing up to make my long awaited journey in this wonderful world of music from a DAW .... i so love my DAW and will master this amazing freedom of sounds.... I've never known something i can't walk away from less than 8-10hours day I'm so addicted!!!! im never gonna stop and I WILL BE TAKING YOUR MIXING AND MASTERING COURSES AND thanks for all you do for all your exp. and advice...see you soon
Regarding fundamentals vs complexities. some people cannot help to stop obsessing with complexities which give them greater satisfaction on their journey of mastering the instrument. but surely, if they want to reach a bigger audience, then it's time to learn the fundamentals in depth as well.
I agree so much with all of the points. I was especially waiting for the last point. It´s only possible to teach the “how to”,and thereby unlocking the doors to peoples creativity and possibilities. The rest is hard work, headaches, luck and then, among the very few, that little special “something” that nobody understands and nobody can teach.
Yiu are the best when it comes to not just explaining things but also in the bits of wisdom that you impart to us who have been in the game for a while.
I'd like to entreat composers not to take all this advice, or at least consider it with scepticism. By pushing myself to add deliberately complex parts to my works, by being passionate about the small cross-section of compositional styles that inspired me to begin composing, I got better. A lot better. I obsessed about the music, as Guy says. Composing in areas you're nostalgic for doesn't keep you from moving forward, how could it? If a composer works mainly in a recogniseable style their entire career and THEY move forward, why would doing the same stop YOU from moving forward? You end up, ideally, working in a style and making it your own, just like Williams made Romantic orchestral music his own. And maybe you'll get fewer jobs, but the ones you do get will be because you focused completely on mastering a certain thing. Sure, I'm a mainly orchestral/choral composer who doesn't really think Ed Sheeran is the second coming of melody, so not all my counter-advice applies. You probably shouldn't be writing pop songs with complexity, although god knows there are some amazing complex pop songs. But Guy's creative advice seems to come down to "don't push yourself, don't do what you love", and I hate that. It doesn't even make much sense, because he both says not to write with complexity _but also_ to move forward because composers die if they don't. Which is it? Push myself forward or write with fundamentals? Isn't writing with complexity pushing myself forward? Sorry, Guy, I'm not feeling it. Please don't worry about telling me I misunderstood you.
Absolutely agree with this, as someone who stepped away from making Trance music and now more into Synthwave and Deep House as i feel at home and connect with that kind of music alot more, i never consider myself being ''stuck'' or unable to move forward because im not trying to invent a new sound (even tho i've got a masters in Sound Design). The point is that i'd far rather be making music within a genre i feel comfortable within and passionate about, if i were to chug out mainstream music that earned me alot of money i would never feel happy with that and the outcome of my productions would lack that passion and soul because im not in it for the music, just the money. Lets also not forget shall we that if you ask a majority of people what their favorite Genre is or their favorite artist, chances are its a well known established band and genre (say something like The Beatles or something), i do agree that being ''im gonna use the exact same guitar and exact same melodies but with different notes than the Beatles'' is probably imprisoning yourself. Orchestral music is also something i'd consider a nostalgia way of producing too, its the same sorta sound they used in the 1700-1800s and to this day i still very much enjoy it! I love Guy though and his content and this is in no way a harsh critcism to him! Just a reminder that there are no rules in music, yes if you wanna earn the big moneys, sure there's some but certainly not in the way of limiting creativity!
Absolutely agree Guy. These three points hopefully will inspire people to do great things. I keep telling folks that the music I write and record is nothing like the music I listen to and grew up with listening to. And that's what works for me in composition! Cheers.
Regarding point 3, as a technical trainer I always used to tell students, "I can teach you, but I can't learn you." I learned that my role was to provide them with information they needed, but more important, help them learn how to learn and how to think through the difficult parts. But...my enthusiasm for the subject matter and my own way of thinking about it had to be in evidence. Enthusiasm for learning is contagious. And Guy, you certainly show enthusiasm. Thanks.
Hi Guy, this is something that I realized early on. Thank you for talking about this. 1. Just do the basics well. Lots of times I’ll write a song that is simple but done well and people love it. 2. Have your own identity (Otherwise people will realize that you are trying to imitate someone else) that’s a little embarrassing so I learned that one fairly quick. 3. This one I still struggle with… I’m a sound library junkie. Especially when some company like 8DIO offers you 65% off for a holiday special, I’m like a kid in a candy store. Yes, it is my weakness. But it is like getting a new toy. HEHE. But I still write my new music with just a piano to get my thoughts down first and I'll tastefully add other things to it. Sometimes it sounds just great with a piano, so I'll leave it that way. Regarding the sharks… The nurse shark and the tiger shark don’t need to swim to breath. So the theory is not exactly for all sharks. But it is true, that other sharks require to swim to stay alive. Just a little fun fact for you. Ryan.
All great points. It's fine to start off sounding like John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, whoever. THEY started by sounding like someone else. Even Stravinsky started off sounding like Rimsky-Korsakov. :) All artists do this. It's just a jumping off point. It's fine. BUT you either grow into your own sound or you don't. What determines that is your own level of genuine musical curiosity - "What if I try THIS instead of THAT." etc. Then it's about enjoying the journey... the exploration. Cheers!
I find point 2 crucial. Influences are significant , beneficial almost certainly I think , an abundance of influences are more significant and I agree with your position , certainly for me I have to find my own voice 🎵😳😀
Guy totally agree with all you points Here comes the but I cannot play tried for over 40 years I have a memory issue so remembering just what I payed is difficult and includes remembering chords etc So I have fast knowledge of synths going back to early 70s and recordings as an electronic engineer grew up with this stuff And I can compose slowly and simply but I have been told as a non keyboard play it’s pretty good So on to my point Technology This fills the gap for me it a aid to help my short comings Even more now as we have chord And arp generators and unbelievably sounds now So for me it helps me to get where I strive to be But from your perspective a great keyboard player and composer tech is important as it helps you to get where you need to be but you don’t need it as much as I do I am now retired so I have more time to compose stuff so getting better and with you tutorial on line I am learning so much more
Absolutely agree Guy. Delighted to hear you say you can’t really teach how to write music, as that’s what I firmly believe too. Agree with every point you make in the video.... except..... Ed Sheeran ? Nah. 😊
I think the 2nd part is only partially correct. As a counter example I would mention Bob Dylan who was an absolute Woody Guthrie fan and only imitated his songs for years when he was 16,17,18 or something. He was so inspired and wanted to sound exactly like Guthrie and I think that's not wrong. Of course he couldn't stay for it forever but I think it's such an important step. And when you see how he was able to make a step towards his own music later he combined so many influences also from art. I think he's the most influential musician ever and look how much he copied but he also was still able to create his own I think only because he had so many sources and going open through the world absorbing what's there and seeing the beauty in it. For me personally it's also the desire to be able to give that kind of sounds I know and love and that's why I started the guitar and it feels like a thing I won't give up because it's a thing I desire because of Dylan and other musician. And I guess that will be fine for a long while for me.
I give Shape of You a 7 out of 10. It's a good song but he has better. Beautiful People. Give Me Love. Don't. The last composition that impressed me was "I should probably go to bed" by Dan + Shay. As for not trying to copy what inspired you I do that with songs. Change the style, tempo, key to fit me voice. Unfortunately there aren't enough original progressions that interest me and people who teach seem to just teach lounge music no one would actually buy. That said, I enjoy your videos.
From Australian Geographic (they're from Oz, they must know this stuff) "FALSE: Sharks must keep moving in order to survive This was once widely thought to be true, but it isn’t. Most sharks can rest on the bottom and pump water over their gills. The lovely and endangered Australian grey nurse shark can hang almost stationary in the water. They’re often seen resting in groups, waiting to go out and forage under the cover of darkness."
My memory of this from being obsessed with shark science as a teen is that it isn't true of most sharks but that it IS true of great whites. Which are the coolest sharks anyway ;) EDIT: Confirmed. Sharks which must move to breath are called "obligate ram ventilators". This includes only about 10% of shark species, but among them are some of the most well known, including whites, makos and hammerheads.
Really a big Thank You! This is exactly what I was stuck on. The clarity of common confusion of each new musician is mostly as you said within this video. This helped me a lot.
A really interesting presentation…I liked the comment “it comes from you” . In sport ( I play competition squash) there is currently an augmentation tool through a cognitive technique which involves imagining doing great shots press ups etc etc etc ..it works it’s a science. Recently started experimenting with this technique ..imagining playing the piano ..it’s an interesting experience for playing squash more effectively and coming up with musical ideas
Heres the dumbest and most amazing piece of learning I ever got when I was doing my jazz training on learning to write melodies. Whenever impovising on your instrument, sing the melody as you play it, and do call-response (sing a few notes, play a few notes, continue). The ability to write awesome melodies is in your brain already, and you even know how to use it.... when singing. Thats your birth right as a human, a gift from the universe planted in your brain as a baby. The trick is, how to connect it to your fingers. Well, you do it by singing as you play. You know that solo in pink floyds "wish you where here" where David gilmore is singing his solo as he plays it? Do that. Trust me, a few weeks of that, and you'll be on fire. Oh, and it also will teach you the value of "silence". This works double well for blues solos. But it applies beautifully to jazz, rock and roll and even classical type music. Sing it, play it, enjoy the praise thats sure to come, or the complaints from the neighbors.
My 3 things: 1. In 2022 I'm not film music composer, I'm mockup artist 2. In 2022 I'm not music composer/producer, I'm beat maker 3a. In 2022 beat is track is song 3b. In 2022 every DJ is producer
I like Strangers in the Night lots more than Shape of You. In fact, I like the western you just wrote in less than 30 minutes better than Shape of You. Other than that, I truly enjoy this channel. Guy is a great teacher.
Sound words to live by. The only thing I would add is persistence and effort. It takes time and effort. And sincerity. Time, effort and sincerity. You gotta be sincere.
Great video Sir! I just found your vids today. I am a Brit musician/bass player acoustic/vocals living in the US many years now. Had many partial songs and a couple of completed “starters” …sometimes I just get in “the flow” and well….it flows. No seeming rhym nor reason. Anyways, THIS vid for me was so encouraging - and stirred me up! Many thanks! 🙏🙏
