Dubstepforum.com

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:02 pm**

When I get stuck in a creative rut I usually just listen to different genres of music. Death metal, jazz, classical, classic rock, hip hop, whatever it takes. You can always apply things from other genres of music to electronic stuff.

Or, as someone else already said, it's good to think of a time in your life; or perhaps just an image/feeling/place/person/book/video game/season/you get the idea. Try to reproduce how that particular thing makes you feel in the form of sound. If you don't feel like taking music theory courses, then definitely learn an instrument. Bass is a good one to start with; as I've found that it's easy to pick up and sound okay with, but it's difficult to master once you start getting into crazy pop/slap techniques. It would be a good idea to start with for sure; only four strings(on basic basses) to keep track of, usually one fret at a time. If things pick up and you enjoy it then eventually you could pick up a guitar and start putting together interesting chord ideas etc.

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:15 pm**

futures_untold wrote:
monkfish wrote:Thanks for the moral support, lads. You've all helped me with this decision; I will be taking Music for A-levels and attempting to get into a Music Production/Sound Engineering course in University. I do love music, it's my favourite hobby, and I hope to turn into a profession. After all, I can only get better from here.
If this is the case, you must read http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=159713 end to end to make sure you've thought the decision through.
Will do!
Personally, I wouldn't ever choose to study music at university, because everything that is taught can be learned through self-study.
That's what I feared.
Instead perhaps opt for a vocational course that feeds into a specific industry, or one that has practical use across many industries such as accounting, law, surveying, any of the trades or healthcare.

Think about it in another way. Being a professional musician limits your potential earnings to the rates paid within the music and related creative industries (traditionally a pitance). Who ever heard of an accountant or lawyer doing work for 'free beers' at the end of the night???!

As a white collar worker, health professional or tradesman, you can still be successful as a musician, but the opposite isn't so easily true. This means accepting low paid unfulfilling work just to make ends meet, all based on the decision to study music instead of more sensible professions & trades.

I say study for a vocation that leads to something by the time you're 21, then if you're still really passionate about music, go and take a music course then. If you're not passionate in a few years time, at least you will have invested your time in learning related to an industry that can bring home the bacon!
Sounds good to be honest.
Final thought: Musicians and artists have a shelf life of 0 in this day and age. Does anyone even remember Chase & Status any more???
lol, no hype.

SpatZ wrote:When I get stuck in a creative rut I usually just listen to different genres of music. Death metal, jazz, classical, classic rock, hip hop, whatever it takes. You can always apply things from other genres of music to electronic stuff.

Or, as someone else already said, it's good to think of a time in your life; or perhaps just an image/feeling/place/person/book/video game/season/you get the idea. Try to reproduce how that particular thing makes you feel in the form of sound. If you don't feel like taking music theory courses, then definitely learn an instrument. Bass is a good one to start with; as I've found that it's easy to pick up and sound okay with, but it's difficult to master once you start getting into crazy pop/slap techniques. It would be a good idea to start with for sure; only four strings(on basic basses) to keep track of, usually one fret at a time. If things pick up and you enjoy it then eventually you could pick up a guitar and start putting together interesting chord ideas etc.

I'm learning to play the trumpet. I can already play the sax, and I'm learning higher piano theory.

futures_untold wrote:Or if you're going to go into music, study computer programming, technology or contract & licencing law instead with a focus on music.

Ha, funnily enough, I wanted to study computer science in university, but I wasn't allowed to take Mathematics (:<), which is a requirement in every course. So I'm going to learn programming and web development in my own time. Which is funny. If I was allowed to take Maths, I would have kept music as as a hobby and learnt it all on my own.

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 5:32 pm**

There's no rush. I've been thinking about stuff like this for months now.

I'm just starting producing music myself and i've just turned 20. You get those dim teenage thoughts that something big may come of it and you see others in the limelight who are fairly young and doing what perhaps you would like to be doing. having thought on it though I realised this doesn't matter at all, I just want to produce beats for myself, just to see what I can create. I've DJ'd for 2 years, been into music as a whole since I was about 6. And as someone else said before they'd wait till there a bit older to see if they're happy with what they're making. Instra:mental being a great example, they're a bit older but firmly on thier feet with what they're doing. So i'm going to break the ice with producing this summer whilst i've got free time on my hands and then just see what happens.

Knowing whether something is for you is down to you, don't think anyone here can tell you what you are going to strive at or not. If you want to keep trying at it do so, and if not then it's not for you, but that goes for a lot of things in life.

and this is my point aswell, I felt like there was some big rush to do something about what i'm passionate about, but there isn't.

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:14 pm**

monkfish wrote:
futures_untold wrote:Or if you're going to go into music, study computer programming, technology or contract & licencing law instead with a focus on music.
Ha, funnily enough, I wanted to study computer science in university, but I wasn't allowed to take Mathematics (:<), which is a requirement in every course. So I'm going to learn programming and web development in my own time. Which is funny. If I was allowed to take Maths, I would have kept music as as a hobby and learnt it all on my own.

Maybe the critical factor is to choose a set of study goals both inside and outside of formal education routes. As you point out, this way we can have a hobby as well as a career for which we are always developing ourselves.

When choosing a thing to learn in a formal education setting, perhaps consider access to technology and equipment that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as large science labs or construction tools?

Anyone with a computer or $200 can create music or buy books on programming, but only people who have passed certain exams can work in a number of vocations eg, surgeons and lawyers.

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:36 pm**

monkfish wrote:I'm feeling a bit discouraged :/

I've been producing, well attempting, music for about a month now (I know that's not enough time to learn much or feel distressed -- but read on) and I don't think I'm cut out for this. I love music. I grew up with music and always wanted to make music, primarily dance music. I dabbed a bit with House music in my FL days, but that was nothing dramatic (I had no clue what I was doing). My true concern is that I generally have no ideas for tracks. I sit there, and nothing. I can make a few drum patterns here and there, but other than that, nothing. It's frustrating. It makes me doubt my abilities. I don't have much hobbies, bar programming and web development; I hoped to attend a computer music college which specializes in sound engineering, amongst other things. But I generally feel that will be a waste of time. Time I could have been spent doing something else -- not as if I do anything else. I know I need more practice, but I feel like I'm wasting my time doing so. I say to myself, "Imagine yourself in your 20s (I'm 16 now) all the things you would have learnt!", but still nothing. Haha, I feel so depressed. My question is simple: are some people just not cut out for music production? No matter how hard they try.

If anyone went or is going through this "state of mind", I'd appreciate the feed back. Cheers for reading (:

Happens to everyone!! The artists are the ones who work hard for it and try and evolve at every opportunity. Plus you have a lot of fantastic web resources available this forum being one of them (check some threads on fm synthesis), tom cosm is also great too (just type his name in youtube). The thing is this type of music requires a lot of technical things and a strong attention to detail, but you work hard at that and you'll be good man. One tip is this FOCUS ON ARRANGMENT/ MUSIC THEORY heres a great site for that btw http://www.musictheory.net/. Just stay with it man we've all been there, you just gotta keep going you'll get better definately!

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:49 pm**

I think the best thing you could do to start producing music is just imitating your idols, even if that sounds a bit weird. Listen very closely to your favorite tracks and try to imagine how they created those tunes. After a while you will develop your own sound. I started producing music when I was 10 years old (5 years ago) and for the first few months all I wanted to do is make Dr. Dre like beats.

Posted: **Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:50 pm**

Looking back at the tracks I made when I was 12 I remember thinking they sounded great, I mean was just having fun messing around on fl studio and the fact that I made it made it seem awesome. But now that i listen to it now I realize it sounds like shit. Just have fun with what your doing, don't make a big deal over whether you think you've got what it takes.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:54 am**

learn an instrument... it really helps.

join band or chorus in highschool.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:27 pm**

futures_untold wrote:
monkfish wrote:
futures_untold wrote:Or if you're going to go into music, study computer programming, technology or contract & licencing law instead with a focus on music.
Ha, funnily enough, I wanted to study computer science in university, but I wasn't allowed to take Mathematics (:<), which is a requirement in every course. So I'm going to learn programming and web development in my own time. Which is funny. If I was allowed to take Maths, I would have kept music as as a hobby and learnt it all on my own.
Maybe the critical factor is to choose a set of study goals both inside and outside of formal education routes. As you point out, this way we can have a hobby as well as a career for which we are always developing ourselves.

When choosing a thing to learn in a formal education setting, perhaps consider access to technology and equipment that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as large science labs or construction tools?

Anyone with a computer or $200 can create music or buy books on programming, but only people who have passed certain exams can work in a number of vocations eg, surgeons and lawyers.

Oh wow, I never thought of it that way. That is really good advice. Much thanks for that.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:08 pm**

you probably just want reassurance. and most people in this thread have given you that.

but to answer your question factually. no, not everybody is cut out for music. the same way not everybody is cut out to be a poet, a painter, able to do gymnastics, etc... luckily it's pretty easy to have fun messing around with music and with all the modern technology we have it's even easy enough to fake a bit of talent.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:34 pm**

monkfish wrote:
futures_untold wrote:
monkfish wrote:
futures_untold wrote:Or if you're going to go into music, study computer programming, technology or contract & licencing law instead with a focus on music.
Ha, funnily enough, I wanted to study computer science in university, but I wasn't allowed to take Mathematics (:<), which is a requirement in every course. So I'm going to learn programming and web development in my own time. Which is funny. If I was allowed to take Maths, I would have kept music as as a hobby and learnt it all on my own.
Maybe the critical factor is to choose a set of study goals both inside and outside of formal education routes. As you point out, this way we can have a hobby as well as a career for which we are always developing ourselves.

When choosing a thing to learn in a formal education setting, perhaps consider access to technology and equipment that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as large science labs or construction tools?

Anyone with a computer or $200 can create music or buy books on programming, but only people who have passed certain exams can work in a number of vocations eg, surgeons and lawyers.
Oh wow, I never thought of it that way. That is really good advice. Much thanks for that.

But all this is moot if we're not entrepreneurial in spirit, because it is the go getters that dominate every industry, regardless of their education.

If you've truly the spirit and drive to make things happen, it neither matters what industries you work in or your level of education, you can become successful.

You could just go to college for the social side of things, in which case it makes sense to choose a course that isn't to demanding

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:57 pm**

futures_untold wrote: You could just go to college for the social side of things, in which case it makes sense to choose a course that isn't to demanding

this is terrible advice btw

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:09 pm**

Hypefiend wrote:
Radiant wrote:
monkfish wrote:
age kind of does matter in a sense. if someone is 16 and someone else is about 21 the older man would have an easier way of learning since his mind is far more developed than the 16 year old.

I'd disagree. It just depends on how smart and dedicated the 16 and 21 year olds are.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:18 pm**

I think creativity is key to making music! Thats an inherent skill, not something that can really be learnt!

However, when it comes to putting that skill into practise is where people tend to fall down! As the skill here is something that can be learnt!
I think alot of people who have the creative skills get a bit put off when it comes to putting it into practice, the key simply is practice ennit!

At the end of the day, I think everyones creative enough to make something decent, just depends on the creativity and patience!

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:30 pm**

drake89 wrote:
Hypefiend wrote:
Radiant wrote:
monkfish wrote:
age kind of does matter in a sense. if someone is 16 and someone else is about 21 the older man would have an easier way of learning since his mind is far more developed than the 16 year old.
I'd disagree. It just depends on how smart and dedicated the 16 and 21 year olds are.

You got the quotes mixed up.

And for the original question, yes, yes I do. Music is something that can be learnt, but takes ages to master. You will eventually start to get better and this process will never stop.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:51 pm**

Yes, anyone can produce awesome tracks. Not out of the box though, it takes alotttt of time, alot of reading, and alot of experimenting with differant instruments/fx. It won't be 'fun' at first when you have no idea what your'e doing or what anything is. But when it hits you and you can actually know what would up the quality of a sound, or what fx to add on what and when to do it, you're going to fall in love with production. Once you can put that music floating around in your head into your mix, finding inspiration (i can promise you) won't be a challenge.

Stay away from youtube tutorials untill you actually know the functions of the devices you use. If you look up 'how do i make blah sound' and imitate it word for word without actually knowing how what you're doing is manipulating the sound, it won't really stick in you're head. That and you'll only be able to make a really small collection of sounds(which are most likely used alot in other tunes). Don't be impatient. The skills will come in time.

Posted: **Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:04 pm**

Trust me I used to be in the same position I started when I was 15 (I'm 16 now!)..
but I was shit for like 3 months I had no music knowledge I didn't know what keys were I just drew random notes in -_-
but now 7 months down the line since I started I'm starting to make a name for myself with no musical background or any equipment but a laptop goes to show doesn't it that you can do anything if you put your mind to it! keep going bro

Posted: **Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:02 pm**

FuzionDubstep wrote:Trust me I used to be in the same position I started when I was 15 (I'm 16 now!)..
but I was shit for like 3 months I had no music knowledge I didn't know what keys were I just drew random notes in -_-
but now 7 months down the line since I started I'm starting to make a name for myself with no musical background or any equipment but a laptop goes to show doesn't it that you can do anything if you put your mind to it! keep going bro

wow I must say dude, it's not my type of music but those are some pretty impressive results, both in terms of production and following, for just 7 months of work.

Posted: **Sat Jun 04, 2011 2:16 pm**

when i'm feeling uninspired i'll usually just set up a 2 or 4 bar midi loop and start dragging notes (using any random synth) around until something catches my ear. just use a pentatonic minor and see what you can do with it - only 5 notes to choose from, makes it a bit easier when trying to come up with a melody.

Posted: **Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:14 am**

if ur dwelling about wheter or not ur made for music, ur made for music.

Dubstepforum.com

Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?

Re: Is everyone cut out for music?