Work Harder, Write Smarter

My awesome wife, with whom I just celebrated our first anniversary, bought me a small chalkboard that I keep at my workstation. I started writing a phrases on it to keep the creative momentum during times of distraction or discouragement. The previous phrase was "Write on Purpose." I felt at that time that my musical efforts were sort of all over the place. Even individual compositions didn't have a natural flow or structure that made sense. That personal maxim has served its purpose, and now I've updated it to meet a more immediate need.

I feel like this track, "Completely Confused And Euphoric," is the product of my new maxim, "Work Harder, Write Smarter." I changed my workflow it two simple manners, but they had a profound impact on how I approached the production of this song.

First, I chose the title before writing the first note. This particular title was inspired by a story I heard...a tale of love, heroism, and heartbreak. Typically I struggle fit a title to a finished song, by describing the emotion I feel it exudes, or as a description of the writing process. This time around I knew ahead of time the function of my tune, and it gave a more precise target to aim for.

Secondly, I wrote my chord progression down on paper from start to finish before ever choosing a sound in my DAW. I then blocked out the progression on a simple piano sample before adding the flesh to the bones. In the past, I chose all of my sounds, and wrote to the sounds. This time around, and here forward, I will compose my songs and intellectually choose the sounds that will best suit it.

These methods gave me a sense of freedom and empowerment over my craft. I have been experiencing a staleness in the writing process, and this week's track breathed a breath of fresh air into my dream.

Week after week, I have a new favorite of the songs I've written. I hope you also increasingly enjoy my creations as I build upon my strengths and learn to minimize my weaknesses.

I hope this song stirs your insides, tugs at your heart strings, and leaves you feeling "completely confused and euphoric in equal measure."


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