Why You NEVER Finish Your Tracks... (and how to fix it)

Подписаться 218 тыс.

Просмотров 76 тыс.

50% 1

💥 Watch my FREE Workshop where I cover How I Create PRO Quality Music at Home - and How You CAN TOO here: produceracceleratorcourse.com...
Why do so many home studio producers get stuck and never finish their tracks... if this is you - I'm gonna help you finish MORE songs!
My Studio Gear List:
--------------------
I personally purchase my gear from Sweetwater and have for over 12 years -- these are affiliate links, meaning you can support my channel by using Sweetwater. The reason I trust Sweetwater is because they have the BEST customer support I have ever seen, two year warranty, free shipping, and they have they best reputation in the industry. You will never see me recommend buying pro audio gear from Amazon
Check out Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/MPRz3
--------------------
Lacie External Drive (storing sample libraries): imp.i114863.net/Xg2Bo
Logic Pro X: (use the app store)
Komplete Audio 6 (audio interface): imp.i114863.net/jNJbe
Presonus Eris E5 (monitors -- you'll need to buy a pair): imp.i114863.net/kyJ6z
Komplete Kontrol S88 (the BEST MIDI keyboard the link is the newer generation): imp.i114863.net/mLode
Lauten LS-208 Mic: imp.i114863.net/MPReJ
Avantone Pro CV-12 Mic: imp.i114863.net/d25dM
Shure SM58: imp.i114863.net/2oVmz
Audio Technica ATH-M40X (headphones - I have 2 pairs): imp.i114863.net/BNRL1
Novation LaunchPad X (also compatible with Logic Pro X): imp.i114863.net/0gRaM
Sample Libraries I HIGHLY Recommend:
_____________
Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate (this is the BEST bundle you can buy): imp.i114863.net/OkyDz
Arcade: output.com/products/arcade
Signal: imp.i114863.net/Qa2DA
EastWest (Hollywood Orchestra): imp.i114863.net/PemxY
Spitfire LABS (free): labs.spitfireaudio.com/

Развлечения

Опубликовано:

16 дек 2020

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 254

@finnchapman2631 Год назад

I just used the tips in this video and finished a song within a few hours, it felt amazing. I literally haven't done that in about 3 years

@mikecalimusic 3 года назад

This video is so money it doesn’t even know it. Found myself head nodding the whole time. Great stuff, Nathan! Learning so much!

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Yeah yeah!! Love it. 😎🙏

@TurdMcNugget Год назад

Man, I need like ten more videos on this topic. As someone who's just getting things going, trying to get ready to release my first album in a couple of months, I feel this. It has taken me way too long to get things ready. From working full time, to making time for my wife and kids, sacrificing a lot of sleep, etc, it's a struggle to actually be able to calm my mind enough to be creative when I finally get some time to work on my music. Yes, it takes me sometimes a couple of weeks to finish a track, because I've got about two hours a day that I can actually sit down and work, and by the time I get there, I'm usually so tired that my brain is fried along with my creativity.

@mache3984 Год назад

This all looks different for everyone. Spending a week, or even a month on a song isn't a bad thing at all. Some of the greatest songs have even taken up to a year to finish. Variables such as experience, family, jobs, etc can and will all contribute to your efficiency in the studio. If you are not highly skilled, taking advice to complete a song as fast as possible is one of the worst things you can do. It might be different for everyone but actually when I step away from a project for a few days or a week, I come back reenergized and excited to finish it.

@roman_volkov23 Год назад

So simple and so hard. Thank you for such videos that remind you how simple everything really is, that you don't need to complicate anything yourself.

@tonyafranklin621 3 года назад

So on point regarding making decisions! That’s been the biggest turning point for me finishing my tracks. I find that I’m improving faster by making decisions and moving on. Thank you for sharing great advice!

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

100% true! Love this comment- well stated!!

@dirtkidbeats 3 года назад

Pure gold right here! I´m already doing a lot of this but I will try to add more to my mindset. Thanks Nathan!

@P-78official Месяц назад

Oh man, yes yes! Started this morning and finished the mapping and even overall mixing and sound choice in one day. This is such a motivational and eye opening video Nathan. Thank you so much!

@starrio713 3 года назад

A lot of things this guy said are the things that many beginners producers struggling with, those tips are very helpful and I think that’s why he got thousands of subs within months🙌🏼

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Appreciate this! 🙏🙏🙏

@paulscrevane 3 года назад

I'm enjoying you zooming in on you gesturing the 'end' or the song on the viewers left, and vice verse.

@angelinemarsland Год назад

Thank youuuu oh my gosh. Sigh of relief on getting some clarity and organization from your channel, truly!

@raymusicc7810 3 года назад

I'm so glad I found you on RU-vid. You've helped me a LOT already!

@davidsawyer5284 3 года назад

Thanks again Nathan. Really great advice, inspirational. Have a book of lyrics of unfinished songs. I now understand the steps, to push forward to completion. Your free advice is of great value to many struggling song writers, I am sure. Have subscribed and will continue to use your guidance. You are truly a friend to all of us out there, who are learning the joy of creating and sharing music.

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Love it!! Thanks so much! Get after it! You got this

@WiseIntellectsCrew 2 года назад

This was great thank you. I catch myself focusing on what my vocal sound like and smaller details when I haven’t even fully comped everything together. I’m aware of it but this always gets me stuck in the mud, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

@Nanojix Год назад

I love you ! The most useful video I’ve ever seen in my entire life!!

@philipduvin 7 месяцев назад

Super helpful tip here. Thanks Nathan !

@MrMrbuddy2011 Год назад

I love your enthusiasm!

@theunconciousmind7314 8 месяцев назад

Amazing video bro! Its so true! Structure is the main chunk

@KonJonnorMusic 3 года назад

Legit this is super dope advice! Recently just had that track where everything fell into place, quick decisions really do produce the snowball effect!

@maitavsoni 2 года назад

This is the best music channel.Your videos are very helpful to me.You explain the topics very precisely. Thank you

@lincolngrwinski8143 3 года назад

this was much needed! thank you for these nuggets of wisdom!!

@anatolianINVASION 2 года назад

This video is better than I expected.

@akash.s.manikandan9724 3 года назад

Man this is GOLD......Thanks a lot man....this has helped me a LOT

@JamieRambles 11 месяцев назад

I appreciate how quickly you speak. I'm so impatient.

@ogreyes8653 Год назад

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge.

@HairGlitter 11 месяцев назад

I have been recording my whole life. My dad used to do home recording. I really enjoy building all the parts. So nowni write my songs and record them. But I have never "finished " a song. I am inspired now after hearing your wisdom. Thank you

@Alexgudmusic Год назад

For some reason I never thought of writing before producing… this was really helpful

@StephenLyonsMusic 2 года назад

Fantastic! Few take aways: 1) 'Intent to finish' 2) 'Creativity breeds creativity' 3) 'Dull creativity' resulting from over analysis 4) Get better at making faster decisions. I'm going to try the timer exercise today.

@rome-sound 2 года назад

thank you for this quick mock up i have it copy/pasted on the top line of my writing template

@Paris_skyy_ Год назад

This video helped me a lot! Thank you for these amazing tips bro🖤

@mkjaerkjersson7749 Год назад

pretty helpful advice with the timer thing. Thanks a lot

@trackzonville Год назад

Dope content Nate!

@sn0wherb 8 месяцев назад

this is WONDERFUL advice, thank you so much!

@joshuajaimes121 2 года назад

Thank you, I always feel stuck after making a great chord progression I like. The arrangement is something I have to get better at as a musician.

@lukedifilippo2469 2 года назад

Such great advice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

@nocalmusic3660 3 года назад

Amazing video, great tips! Will definitely be using those immediately

@flashbangster6342 Год назад

Man, thanks for this video, I'm going to start applying all these tips today!

@ParthipanMusical 3 года назад

This video is gold. Thanks Nathan for sharing all of these! :)

@drftls 2 года назад

This is exactly what I was looking for to break my block. I'm recording more muses than ever before, but I'm finishing less tracks than I did in my first year of writing music. I'm looking for your videos on songwriting / arrangement next - removed everything else from my queue.

@robertcooper457 3 года назад

Amazing advice, thank you, so glad I found your channel

@YUJOYMusic Год назад

Thanks Man! Good direction of thinking!

@eenouboii303 Год назад

Thank you. For everything.

@madzia7671 3 года назад

That's the truth! Thnx for reminding to think about structure and finishing it first. :)

@matthewskrovan3378 3 года назад

you described my experience exactly, this channel is amazing!

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

We all been there! Thanks a bunch!

@HaharuRecords Год назад

This is some real talk.. I use 95% of my everything based on the lyrics I write, when I write i imagine everything (mostly focused on the melody as how it will be presented in detail)...But the idea will come always when you experiment from different directions from all the way possible (listen 1000s of songs) .So you will be flexible to beging from end to middle to start or anywhere... Just like tp share it...Keep up all and thank this channel.. a great blessing

@chefen1966 3 года назад

Mr Nathan Larsen, we have never met. But still you describe my last 25+ years trying to make music. And pretty spot on. Amazing or scary. So thank you for these great fixes and I promise to follow them ;)

@deepmixxer Год назад

I love the hour timer trick thnx for that!!

@coolhandluke9987 2 года назад

Wow this vid is powerful man thanks fr

@RRRR-bf7gy 3 года назад

Another great movie, thank you!

@evan54905 2 года назад

I needed this thanks for the great content!

@TimVolkovPhD 3 года назад

Lovely pep talk!

@daniellezotter2224 2 года назад

wow thank you so much Nathan!! You really hit the nail on the head for me. Subscribed! :)

@jimsmith4611 3 года назад

Excellent video. That said the most annoying thing is that I had worked most of this out already for myself but still keep doing it. The farting around and getting caught up in stuff that I don't need to do or to sort initially as the beauty of the DAW is that you can return any time to alter anything you are unhappy with... It is a 'creative discipline' issue for me as well as not having enough of a structure before hand.. I am still far far far too easily distracted and vanish down that rabbit hole of "I'll just so this wee bit then I'll get the rest of it done" ... Then I've lost two hours pissing around with a guitar tone. Again a tone that I can change as often as I want at any time in the future..!!!! Discipline disciline discipline + better structure at the outset thats what's missing for me and Only I can fix that.. Thanks for pointing it out so clearly...!!! Next project won't get started now until I have sat down and written out at least a flow diagram of the structure and I have covered one wall in post it's with discipline written on each one..

@TheDeaf424242 3 года назад

Great advice. Especially the bit about musical arrangement mattering more than mixing. If your arrangement is good mixing will be easy everytime.

@craigseganti8999 Год назад

Right on, thank you.

@qrisdavis Год назад

This is gooood man. Thanks!

@mateo_no_swiping 11 месяцев назад

Making quick decisions is something I didn’t realize I needed to work on, let alone pay attention to. It’s time to change that. Thank you 🙏🏼

@TobiG4mer 3 года назад

I am *extremely* glad I found your channel

@willyviste904 2 года назад

Brilliant video, thank you!

@trapbeatproducer Год назад

You are speaking my language. This is actually a sick channel! You've now got another subscriber 💪🏽

@JoelAguero Год назад

another great video, thanks

@paarismann 2 года назад

THANK YOU!!!!!!! This video - the information in it has freed me from the very things you're talking about. I've gotten my rig? put together. And I'm frozen in my tracks, repetitively thinking all the questions you're stating - without me even having started. And my song? Is totally charted. But I'm not moving forward. I don't know why it matters so much. I think I must put it in writing that I won't condemn myself listening to my first try. Clearly, at this point, I am a better writer than I am an arranger. I promise no one has to talk me off the ledge. Just want to thank you, very much. Wow, reading other comments below tells me I'm in good company.

@GPM80 3 года назад

Excellent advice nathan.....think it benefits everyone.....thanks

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Appreciate this Glyn! 🙏

@clinkypockets4604 2 года назад

Thanks, brotha.

@MoeeTurbin Год назад

He called me out but he’s making some valid points. Appreciate that, I needed that. I know have the ability and the ideas to create more songs, I just try to do too much too soon and get stuck. I need to just focus on solidifying a structure and process, and think about the end as much as i think about the beginning.

@charliesmiler5618 Год назад

Thanks buddy, I have got about 50x Hardcore and Jungle tracks that are all 80-90% finished. The buzz of making a new one is always a huge temptation. I have taken some notes. Nice one ;)

@phoenixayo9040 2 года назад

I can Absolutely relate to this man❤

@cosmicninja6924 11 месяцев назад

My favorite is creating a loop, listening to said loop 1000 times until I’m sick of it, and then starting a new project…rinse and repeat.

@SKILIMUSIC 3 года назад

amazing tips man!

@MelodyWithYuvi 3 года назад

I've been binge watching Nathan's videos for a while now and all I wanna say is Nathan..., You dropped this 👑

@raamiah Год назад

Same 🙏🏿🙏🏿

@sebastianbarragan623 2 года назад

Verbal GOLD! thank you

@heritagelegacy 2 года назад

I have struggled with every single point that you made. But I will say that my biggest issue is second-guessing myself on a part I’ve played or which sound to use. Over the next month I am going to apply everything you said here and see if I can’t actually produce one or two songs

@NebulousWeb 3 года назад

The largest problem I have is that I am only stoked by an inspired/unique riff or vocal melody or lyrics for about twenty playthroughs. Then it just gets old and tired, and I end up thinking it's boring and rubbish. Especially if I sleep on it and come back to it the next day. When I was eighteen it was easy because I didn't stop to think whether my songs were any good or not (the amazing confidence of youth!). Now coming back to the hobby after 30 years, I just think everything I wrote the day before is crap. How do you talk yourself into finishing something that you don't feel is any good? How do you stop yourself from endlessly trying to 'fix' the song only to find later that you're not happy with the fixes either? I honestly do want to have a couple of hours of my own music to play in an empty pub with a couple of mates (so it doesn't actually really matter if it's good or not!), but I can't get over the hurdle of writing something that I'm proud of and would enjoy playing umpteen times (in rehearsal, and then the pub). Sometimes I wonder how professional musicians play the same songs a hundred times a year when they're touring. How do they prevent themselves of getting bored of their own material?

@eddyray666 3 года назад

They do get bored mate. Difference is they're getting paid.

@magnuseriksson8081 2 года назад

I feel exactly the same and a lot of us do I guess.

@scottdavis7730 2 года назад

I would abandon the project at that point. Save the cool riff or vocal melody. That's the wonderful thing about DAWs. You will use these parts later when you're stuck and need a cool vocal melody. A lot of writers, for instance, carry around a notebook to jot down ideas. I would recommend using your DAW in the same way. The tough part is to just abandon and move on. If you're not going to finish or have doubts, don't spend a lot of time trying to 'fix' it. You may not be able to and it just slows you down. I can't tell you how many times I just have a couple of bars of something that sounds really cool to me but it's not going anywhere so I label it, save it and move on to something else. Then later I'll remember that cool little bridge and can use it somewhere else. I realize this goes a little bit against the advice in this video and mapping out a song is obviously the optimal way to write a song, but if you're just going to come up with riffs and small parts and try to expand those into a song you have to be prepared to move on. Great video, btw. Really enjoying your channel.

@EugeneOswaldCrawford 2 года назад

Finishing the songs you lose inspiration on will help train your discipline when it comes to finishing tracks. Also through writing songs you don’t like, you’ll learn what not to do in your sessions. You have to finish the bad songs so you can learn how to finish good songs. Seems counterintuitive but it pays off

@rayt3894 Год назад

Do this with your lyrical bits and pieces too. Write down and store. It's great to pull out these lyrical ideas when you are stuck.

@adamstola3704 3 года назад

Jesus youre the best... Not only it helped me to change how I work, but this motivated me af. Thanks Natan, you really are the best!

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

That's great - thanks man!

@dreambeliever3652 3 года назад

What I’ve been doing lately rather than letting everything bother me... not fast enough, reverb busses, flying the hook, or whatever else they call ALL THIS STUFF........... I focus on a great song!!! Like you say man, even if the mix is KILLER..... it’s still CRAP if the song isn’t KILLER. I could play a great song with fantastic words on an acoustic guitar and it would go bigger than if I had a LOUSY SONG with a fantastic MIX.

@attiliohollige 3 года назад

It's almost 30 years since I started this journey and I still can't finish something. I'll definitely try it. Thank you

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

You can do it!

@atcordice Год назад

Committing and moving on with the decisions

@reese3344 2 года назад

A true gem 👌🏼 thank u!

@mr.unXcepted 2 года назад

Bro this genius ima take a lot from this!

@witotrox8254 2 года назад

Thank you... This helped me a lot

@Gdad-20 2 года назад

ADHD here, so finishing anything is a challenge in itself, let alone music production. Yes structure/route plan is important..... Cheers Nathean

@ten-ub4xd 10 месяцев назад

Best tip for me I've realised is to be ruthless and be deliberate

@bigoak9417 2 года назад

You understand humans! Great video, realy helpful.

@lezgogecko9870 3 года назад

Second video I watch from you, first music tutorial channel I follow

@user-sq4pe5yb8v Год назад

great video bro

@buffyguy10 2 года назад

You hit it right on the head....STRUCTURE is very hard to guide yourself to finish it....i need this..lol

@universe2906 2 года назад

Thanks man! Universe is on the way. 🌌

@muimuhadresh3986 Год назад

Thanks for posting such good quality content. I rewatch this video after seeing it 1 1/2 years for the first time. And all these tipps are still relevant to me. I think the hardest part for me is also to make quick decisions. But for me it is my own demand to the quality of music i am able to put out (my skill) in comparison to the quality i am use to listen. You know, stuff like: will this be a good chord that people like, is this sounds like people would dance to it etc. Because I am unsure about how people would judge me based on my skill in music making.

@muimuhadresh3986 Год назад

God, that felt good to write that down. Cheers

@worldpeace6374 2 года назад

@Nathan James Larsen Thank you for your videos!!! They really help. Stay blessed!!!

@suites.74 Год назад

I feel like my process is so complicated for these tips. I try to make music in a way similar to rock and pop bands in the 1970s. Drums, guitars, vocals, keyboards, bass. But I do everything myself. It takes a lot of time to be a self taught multi instrumentalist and sometimes simply setting up the drums takes an entire day. So making a song in a week's time is really daunting for me!

@dreambeliever3652 3 года назад

Great point but… I don’t know why even after I’ve arranged my song, I tend to gather great ideas and inspiration throughout the mixing phase which inevitably creates somewhat of a different but better song. When I write a song… I have a general idea but it takes me about a week or so of listening to it before new ideas begin to surface. I do get what you’re saying though about just plain chasing the rabbit around without structure. It is brutally disappointing when you had this awesome idea and it does not translate well in the mix. But, once you hit that place to where you know you made some magic With the lyrics and arrangement, it is an awesome feeling

@TumkenSiram 3 года назад

Pop

@rayt3894 Год назад

Ultimately, there are no concrete rules to creativity, so just learn and do what works best for you. While it's not a race, you definitely have to apply discipline to finish.

@Amvdou 2 года назад

thank you my guy

@timschannel247 2 года назад

You are right and the points you mentioned about should be repeated everyday like a prayer because I see people pretended to understand this and next day doing it exactly opposite and wrong.

@ejaygunna3855 2 года назад

Great video

@Bittamin 2 года назад

I’m hoping I can find arrangement tips for different genres. Listening to songs you like and writing/mapping out the structure by their section lengths and which elements are introduced and taken away is probably the best, but getting some experts to breakdown the structures would be dope. Time to research

@NikosKatsikanis 3 года назад

i needed this today

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

We all need to hear it sometimes - I wish I wouldve heard it when I started!

@traceyberesford6246 3 года назад

thanks for calling me out! literally the very first one had me like 👁👄👁

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Absolutely!! Now go take action and make it happen!! Here we goooooo!

@djITALYLaChanceDeGonza 3 года назад

Thank you!

@NathanJamesLarsen 3 года назад

Absolutely. 🙏😎

@ash_dando 8 месяцев назад

Awesome tips. The stupid thing is that I already use this kind of structured high-level approach in my job, and somehow never wanted to take this approach with music! But this video has helped validate the idea for me, and I’m looking forward to taking this approach on my next track. I strongly agree with the approach of time-boxing music creation sessions. Even with a timer, I often find it hard to step away and take a break. But it definitely pays to take a break, even if you just stand up and go get a glass of water, that’s usually enough to snap out of the haze and realise that you need a proper break.

@johncu7101 Год назад

One of the biggest problems is weak songwriting. Some people start songs about shallow, BS relationships and breakups then lose both the inspiration and the motivation in the process.