Ableton & Music Habits Podcast
By Jason Timothy
Ableton & Music Habits PodcastApr 24, 2020
64 Production And Songwriting Are Not The Same
64 Production And Songwriting Are Not The Same
63 - Mastering The Art Of Showing Up For Your Music
63 - Mastering The Art Of Showing Up For Your Music
62: Set Music Goals That Stick
62: Set Music Goals That Stick
61: Don't Die With Your Music Inside you
61: Don't Die With Your Music Inside you
60: Make Music When You're Busy & Uninspired
60: Make Music When You're Busy & Uninspired
59: Musicianship, songwriting & Soun Selection in Electronic Music
59: Musicianship, songwriting & Soun Selection in Electronic Music
58: Breaking The Habit Of Abandoning Your Music
58: Breaking The Habit Of Abandoning Your Music
57: 15 Ways To Turn Your Bland Track Into A Banger
57: 15 Ways To Turn Your Bland Track Into A Banger
56: The Process For Electronic Music Producers [Audio Book - Part 1]
56: The Process For Electronic Music Producers [Audio Book - Part 1]
55: How managing discomfort can make you a better music producer
55: How managing discomfort can make you a better music producer
54: Writing A Song Per Week For A Full Year. What I Learned
54: Writing A Song Per Week For A Full Year. What I Learned
53: The Eb & Flow of Creative Productivity
53: The Eb & Flow of Creative Productivity
52: How Embracing Discomfort Can Make You A Better Music Producer
52: How Embracing Discomfort Can Make You A Better Music Producer
51: Battling fatigue as a Music Producer
51: Battling fatigue as a Music Producer
50: 30 ways to be a better producer (and what NOT to do)
50: 30 ways to be a better producer (and what NOT to do)
49: Learn the Process & you won't need to learn all the techniques
49: Learn the Process of Music Production & you won't need to learn the techniques
48: Mixing Music is Balance & Compromise
Mixing Music is Balance & Compromise
47: Applying "Less is More" to your Music Making
Applying "Less is More" to your Music Making
46: 12 Ways To Triple Your Music Productivity
46: 12 Ways To Triple Your Music Productivity
45: The Process For Electronic Music Production
45: The Process For Electronic Music Production
44: Does Writer's Block Really Exist?
44: Does Writer's Block Really Exist?
43: Creative Input VS Creative Output
43: Creative Input VS Creative Output
42: How Busy People Can Make Time For Music
Episode 42 - How Busy People Can Make Time For Music
41: Understanding Your Creative Triggers
41: Understanding Your Creative Triggers
40: How To Better Commit To Your Music
40: How To Better Commit To Your Music
39: Don't Be Afraid To Suck
39: Don't Be Afraid To Suck
38: Getting inspired with Ghost Tracks
38: Getting inspired with Ghost Tracks
37: Music Is Possible For Everyone
37: Music Is Possible For Everyone
36: How To Get Organized For Music Production
36: How To Get Organized For Music Production
Join the Ableton "Create an EP in 30 Days" Master Course waitlist:
https://musicsoftwaretraining.lpages.co/ep-in-30-days-master-course-waitlist/
35: Start With A Song Idea, Then Abandon It
Start with a song idea then abandon it
This is going to seem pretty counterintuitive but should connect with you more
as you read. You may hear me coming from several similar angles to drive the
point home. My goal is always that you are able to take something away from
these posts & put the ideas into practice right away. I'm going to try to share
reasons why you should abandon your original song idea when new inspiration
comes.
The issue that we have is that we start with an idea in our head and we become
really laser focused on trying to get that one idea down completely as it was in
our head. This can lead to a lot of frustration, and it's usually so streamlined
that we don't leave room for other creative ideas to come in.
Because of this, we're not really using our creative brain at the time. That
doesn't mean that you're starting idea is not any good. It usually is fine, but
it doesn't translate exactly the way it is in our head......
34: 10 Reasons Too much information leads to music procrastination
Here's my top 10 reasons why information is more likely to lead you to procrastination and confusion than it is to lead you to a solution, unless it's done correctly. Whether you're watching YouTube videos, going to music forums, podcasts, or reading blogs like this one. If you're not putting it to proper use, then it's probably more likely a form of procrastination.
if you'd like this sort the content, make sure to share it with your producer friends. You can read my best selling book, The mental game of electronic music production for free, by going to https://musicsoftwaretraining.com/thementalgame. You'll also get my song recovery kit and my 101 Ableton tips video totally free.
If you'd like to connect with me more directly to see how I might be able to help you personally, you could schedule a free 15 minute session with me by going to https://musicsoftwaretraining.com/application
33: Why You Should Strip Your Studio Down To The Bare Minimum
Why You Should Strip Your Studio Down To The Bare Minimum
32: 10 Reasons Why Finishing Songs Should Be Your Number 1 Priority
10 Reasons Why Finishing Songs Should Be Your Number 1 Priority
31: Write Like You're Rehearsing
31: Write Like You're Rehearsing
30: The Pain Of Finishing Songs VS The Pain Of Regret Later
30: The Pain Of Finishing Songs VS The Pain Of Regret Later
29: Creative Input Vs Creative Output
29: Creative Input Vs Creative Output
If you aren't aware of your creative input vs creative output ratio you are going to run into a number of problems when it comes to finishing songs.
If you are doing more input than output it means you aren't implementing what you are learning, you are just digesting information, and information rarely leads to transformation. Implementation requires a lot more mental energy , which is why we prefer to consume.
So what is input & what is output?
In simple terms input is the information you take in. This can be watching tutorials, speaking with a coach or even reading this post. Output is what you are putting out into the world. Output is the only way your voice gets heard. A life with input alone will leave you with your music still in you. You don't want to die having never shared your art with the world.
Dopamine: The brain's reward system
There is nothing inherently wrong with input, but we need to understand our brain's reward system.
See, our actions are largely motivated by a reward system, typically dopamine.
When we receive new information, we get a dopamine hit, the feel good drug our body creates.
All addictions are based on a reward system. People don't repeat bad habits because they are stupid, it's because they keep getting rewarded with dopamine.
The problem is, it's very hard to get ourselves to delay the reward system when there are so many ways to get a quick fix. Social media is borderline evil in the way they reward you for doing almost nothing.
When you get a reward for doing next to nothing, where is your motivation for implementation & creative output?
Most music producers get stuck in the input cycle. More videos, more blogs, more forums, more social media, more plugins, more hardware etc...
This feeds the reward system & makes you feel like you accomplished something. Sadly, this steals your drive to actually create.
The problem is that the reward system for creative output is a delayed reward. Sometimes the reward for your output is less than you had expected or hoped for. In order to stay motivated to create, we must starve the brain of it's quick dopamine fixes & feed it more meaningful but delayed rewards for accomplishing something of importance... Your art.
You reading this right now is input for you, but for me it is output & I can't predict how you will respond to this. There will certainly be a dopamine reward for the feeling or finishing this & then posting. That is the output. Me waiting around to see the reactions, likes & comments is input & that can become dangerously addictive.
If you're not careful, you can easily get into the habit of waiting for reactions to your old art instead of investing your energy into creating more output... or new art.
Very likely, your current creative input to output ratio is 90/10. This mean for every 100 minutes, you spend 90 of those minutes sourcing & consuming information & only 10 minutes actually working on your art.
Ideally you would like to have 80% output and 20% input. Even the best of us don't live up to this, but it's a great practice if you want to be among the top 5% of music producers.
28: How To Become A More Efficient Music Producer
In this episode I will go into 3 aspects of your music making career. These are "The Work", "The Business" & "The Busy". Whne you know how to categorize the actions you are taking or considering taking, you can save yourself a LOT of time & energy that is usually wasted. Enjoy!
27: Change Your Micro-Tasks, Change Your Life
In this episode I go a bit off the music path and into the subject of reality. Although I make no claims to how reality works, I have found these ways of framing it useful. Enjoy
26: The Power of 15 Minutes of Music Production
In this episode I dive into a concept or just how fast small amounts of daily music production can add up each month & can litterally help you finish an album every year.
25: Boost Creativity & Fight Depression With A Dopamine Detox & NOFAP
Everyone dreams of being the best. It's the pinnacle of any form of art. But is it possible for you? Is there a new way to look at this subject that is more empowering & inspiring? Let's see!
24: How To Be The Best
Everyone dreams of being the best. It's the pinnacle of any form of art. But is it possible for you? Is there a new way to look at this subject that is more empowering & inspiring? Let's see!
23: The Reaction
In this episode we will dive into what I consider to be the biggest time suck you will ever face when trying to create your art. This distraction alone can & does completely derail people from their true passions. Let's pull this back habit out by the roots.
22: Major & Minor Scales Made Easy
In this episode I give you some amazingly simple techniques to better your understanding of your major & minor scales. This should give you the confidence to write melodies & chord structures more confidently.
21: How Music Makers End Procrastination
Are you currently struggling with procrastination when it comes to your music making? Here are my tips to putting an end to procrastination, so you can do more of the thing you love.
20: Music Production Doesn't Need To Be Complicated
Are you overcomplicating your music making? What if it could be easy? Let's explore this together in the episode of the Ableton & Music habits podcast.
19: The Downside Of Giving Your Songs Too Much Importance
In this episode I dive into the downfall of giving too much importance to your music. We can be music more creative when we explore it with a more playful attitude.
18 : Why Great Music Has Very Little To Do With Talent
In this episode we explore what makes music great. And much of it is probably not what you expected.
17: Don't Make These EQ Mistakes
In this episode we get into common EQ mistakes you are probably making. By correcting this, your productions will increase exponentially in quality.
16 : Your Music Obstacles Come From A Lack Of Desire
In this episode we explore the real obstacles to you creating your music on your own terms. We explore how desire plays a big role in what becomes possible for you.
15: Building A Relationship With Your Genius
In this episode we explore the idea of genius & where it actually comes from. Is it within you, or is there more to it?