“Get the job done” is my motto for working on music. I call this the 50% process. It means I try to get anything up to a 50% threshold, then abandon it or continue to work on it if motivated. This trick helps me avoid procrastination because I am not aiming to be perfect. Let me explain how I apply this principle in my music.
First, I want to finish writing the music. This step is usually easy because I am excited to begin a new journey. If I work towards a deadline, I might work faster and ideas flow without restriction. On the other hand, if I have unrestricted time - no gig or practice session to indulge in - the flow of ideas slows down.
The second step is planning a recording session, which often requires much time. This step requires practising the material and giving the musicians time to work out the music. I usually have no problem here. But if I work with musicians who procrastinate, it might bring some irritation, mostly from waiting.
The third is the actual recording. This is the most enjoyable process for me. I liked the first experience of hearing how the musicians interpreted the material. It can bring some surprises or even disappointments. Some songs are baked incorrectly in my head, which, when recorded, do not exactly reflect what I wanted or how I first heard it. Sometimes the recording of a song comes out better than anticipated. This is the anticipated goal I am searching for. But many times, the end process is disappointing and calls for a re-evaluation of the process. This is why I love this process.
The fourth is the mixing/mastering stage. This is the most difficult because it sometimes comes down to choosing between an apple and an orange. Sometimes, I like a mix and play it to my wife and she says no, I don't like the shakers or the sax is piercing and the mix has to be redone. This process of revising the mix until satisfaction can be daunting at times. This is because we musicians are perfectionists and want everything to be perfect. Sometimes, the fact that a piece of music is not perfect is its charm. Sometimes I finish a mix, like it immediately and hate it a few weeks or months after. I have even recalled albums and recreated a new mix because I was not happy after a few months. Usually, I try not to listen after I have released the music. This is because of the feeling of wanting to change something. Here, applying the 50% rule can be a daunting task.
The fifth is releasing the music to the world. Accepting and letting go is the most difficult and the 50% rule ends in dread. Why, you may ask? Releasing music requires a separate blog topic because it is a fascinating topic. While I find it interesting to create the music, sharing it with people is difficult because I don't know how people will react to it. After releasing so many albums, it still feels strange. I don't think I can ever get comfortable releasing music. Please comment below, I am delighted to hear from anyone reading this.