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Post by Bob Porter on Sept 18, 2017 19:03:24 GMT
I rather think that composing is like being married. You do whatever it takes to get a good result. The phrase "hard work" seems like a put off to me. Because if what you're doing is worth it, then it's worth however intensely you have to apply yourself. In that case it's not "work" at all. The love and intensity you put into your music will, hopefully, manifest itself in a good piece. The love and intensity you put into your marriage will, hopefully, manifest itself in a good marriage. Neither is a sure thing, of course. Semantics, to be sure. Yet where emotions are involved, I need positive reinforcement.
I'm kind of thinking that all music is "inspired". Even "bad" music. It all has to come from somewhere. It didn't exist before someone brought it into being. Making something out of nothing has to count for.....something.
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Post by BootHamilton on Sept 18, 2017 19:29:45 GMT
Thread Observation: You night have a 'Hit' on your hands w/ this Inspiration thread. Seems like everyone's looking for inspiration.
When I logged-on just now, there were four(4) people viewing this thread (2 guests, 2 members) and no one anywhere else.
Cool.
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Post by king2b on Sept 20, 2017 9:27:15 GMT
I tend to find that money is quite an inspiration, if that is not forthcoming then just a request for a piece or an arrangement from an outside source gets things moving. Then again my music is not in the same league as some of you guys here.
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Post by Bob Porter on Sept 20, 2017 14:33:53 GMT
I don't think I'm inspired to write music. I don't write because I like to, or want to, or get paid to (that on is up for consideration, though), or get asked to. I write because I can't not write. It's not a question of waiting for some great idea to hit me. I sit at my computer and just do it. Is the result fantastic. Sure, just ask me Of course, I don't have any of the pressures you real composers have.
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Post by Dave Dexter on Sept 20, 2017 14:48:09 GMT
Bob, I'd like to steal your brain for a month or so. Help me finish a few things.
I have different types of inspiration. There's the urge to write something, whatever that might be; and there's the urge to write a specific idea that's occurred to me or has been brewing. Not that either are needed, as Mike said you have to just sit and do the work, and sitting there composing tends to come up with something. Then that something might lead off into all sorts of unexpected paths, at which point real inspiration can happen.
I'm always so relieved to hear veteran composers say they find it difficult, or think everything's abandoned them.
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Post by Mike Hewer on Sept 20, 2017 14:56:09 GMT
Hell yes. I've done virtually nothing for about 3 months and have gone through the usual "well that's it, no more composing for me" stage. But like Bob and the rest of us, I can't not do it, I have no choice. Someone famous once said that a composer should never compose unless the not composing becomes too much of a nuisance. Mind you, Kevins right too, money did tend to get the job done I always found - true Dave?
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Post by Bob Porter on Sept 20, 2017 16:41:30 GMT
Sure, Dave. You're welcome to my one remaining brain cell. Pesky thing to find, though.
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Post by Mike Hewer on Sept 20, 2017 16:46:27 GMT
LOL Bob. Only because I am often accused of such luxurious brain real estate by my wife.
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Post by Dave Dexter on Sept 20, 2017 16:48:24 GMT
The majority of my jobs haven't been my preferred orchestral style, which being the most time-consuming is where you (or I) find out how strong your inspiration and work ethic is. And those that have been, haven't been on the kind of deadline you could probably tell us horror stories about. But money is a powerful good inspiration. Ideally, you're getting paid to do what you'd be doing anyway (and even forget the money on the good days) and don't find it too onerous, but I've had jobs where the money was all separating me from walking off (I did once offer to give back the advance so I could quit). Mind you, Kevins right too, money did tend to get the job done I always found - true Dave?
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Post by Mike Hewer on Sept 20, 2017 17:28:19 GMT
Now that sounds like a tale Dave...giving back an advance! You are quite correct of course when you suggest that the true coal face is where the money and the aesthetics collide. Like you, I was always at ease regardless of the deadline if the genre was my preferred one - the technique flowed more readily and I suppose that's the point in a way. The technique will always facilitate inspiration.
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Post by Dave Dexter on Sept 21, 2017 12:40:13 GMT
Not that much of a tale . . . back when I severely undercharged and took a tiny amount for ten short tracks up front. Wasn't enthused about the project and the lack of any more money removed my motivation completely, so I emailed and offered it back. They doubled it and I phoned in a soundtrack that ultimately wasn't used (sounds ok to me in retrospect, lots of repurposing of leftovers from other work). Learning curve: don't take all money up front. Exactly re preferred genre - if I had to channel Giacchino and compose a Star Wars in a month, I'd do it. Orchestrators would help though. Now that sounds like a tale Dave...giving back an advance! You are quite correct of course when you suggest that the true coal face is where the money and the aesthetics collide. Like you, I was always at ease regardless of the deadline if the genre was my preferred one - the technique flowed more readily and I suppose that's the point in a way. The technique will always facilitate inspiration.
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Post by fuguestate on Sept 21, 2017 16:29:35 GMT
For me, money isn't that big of a motivation, since my current (non-music) job pays very well and I have never written music for money. But having a deadline does motivate me, once I commit to it. (Whether or not I take it upon myself to begin with is a different matter. ) This is why I've found contests on the Other Site extremely helpful in the past. It has helped me get out of the "write only when I'm inspired" mode that I grew up with.
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Post by Dave Dexter on Sept 21, 2017 18:44:25 GMT
We shall have to do something about that, won't we? But having a deadline does motivate me, once I commit to it. (Whether or not I take it upon myself to begin with is a different matter. ) This is why I've found contests on the Other Site extremely helpful in the past. It has helped me get out of the "write only when I'm inspired" mode that I grew up with.
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Post by fuguestate on Sept 21, 2017 19:19:20 GMT
Haha, you got the hint.
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Post by Bob Porter on Sept 21, 2017 19:21:10 GMT
Oh great. A contest. Another opportunity to win third place
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