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Scott
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1/27/2016 6:33:31 PM
planning your next musical move in public - please read..
I had this idea that all of us would commit to paper (the pipeline) short term and long term musical projects and then we'd follow up monthly to see what transpires.
short term - I'm finishing a work thing by next tuesday. After that I'm going to start working on this great anthem I wrote with Negative Tendencies, of which the video is already conceived and will be great.
long term - I'd like to get all my songs from all my projects on one page at some point.
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Bryon Tosoff
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1/27/2016 6:49:59 PM
I am Bad with this kinda thing, I am spontaneous, work off of inspiration, basically I am lazy but try to fit in things in between my teaching and promoting, taking care of this house , I will try. but frankly I am the worse when it comes to planning to do things for me. I always do things for others, hopeful I can improve
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Bryon Tosoff
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1/27/2016 8:03:29 PM
this is a good idea, it is worthwhile. I might be able to come up with something. could spur me on to do at least a song a month, i dont have time for much more then that, or every two months. i have a lot of projects for others and new students starting up.I hope to work some ideas out and post, goals and objectives are good. thx Scott
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Jambrains
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1/28/2016 3:24:06 AM
I've challenged myself to "release" one song a month during 2016 which will be tough given I tend to spend ages on my songs esp. when it comes to arrangement/mixing/production. By doing this I hope to streamline my workflow e.g. learn a few plugins well instead of using different ones all the time. Hopefully it will also help me to "let go" when things are "good enough" and not spending ages with details 99.9% of the listeners will not notice anyway. On the other hand I have also promised myself to pay closer attention to the recording side of things e.g. getting the right "sound" (and tight playing) from the start instead of "fix it in the mix"......
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Hop On Pop
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1/28/2016 5:02:34 AM
To write just one fucking song.
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Scott
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1/28/2016 5:26:44 AM
Todd, have you tried different methods to break your slump ?
like writing lyrics first, or on a different instrument ?
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Hop On Pop
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1/28/2016 5:32:01 AM
yup.
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Larree
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1/28/2016 7:37:09 AM
You too, Todd? I have not written shit for years now! Trying. Started a few. But pretty much bone dry here, too.
Yeah, just one fucking song!
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Two Silo Complex
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1/28/2016 9:46:00 AM
I am in the same boat with hop on pop I have not written a complete song with lyrics and music in a long time either I have lyrics with no music or music with no lyrics its very frustrating.
TSC,
Ken
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Bryon Tosoff
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1/30/2016 6:28:57 PM
---- Updated 1/30/2016 6:29:29 PM
Ok, I did two songs for the month of January 2016, the last few days the 28 and today the 30 One is an industrial electronic instrumental with vocal shots here and there, no singing, it is "come here little one",which I uploaded a few days ago and second is an instrumental, (elevator music my son said) laid back easy listening , entitled "starlight serenade" which went up today, the third one, i am not sure if I will publish it. we will see
I started to try and work something completely different. on the "come here little one"
I wanted a blues jazz thing. nah, didnt work. so it morphed into something else then one which I wanted to go the same way with a cool bass riff really basic minimalist thing with vocals, the lyrics are done. just have to clean them up and fix the verse chorus, the idea is there. but no luck for the song lyric fitting the tune
then like I said, the next one is still sitting here on my computer. finished it, but might add more stuff to it, but aint working for the lyrics. again, and more then likely wont publish it like i said
so I tried 2 songs today, one which I uploaded, smooth easy listening. i started with some chords, and wanted a funky bass line. still didnt work. gave up on trying and made it into that mellow starlight serenade
so, i did 3 songs this month in the last couple days, so good for a while since i was going to do maybe one a month. still dont know if I will make the goal. but two are up, I want to sing something. and need to think the bass part out, it is an important part of the song I have in mind with the lyrics, I want something eerie slow but compelling something that will be kinda outside my writing style and pushing the envelop lyric wise, not a nice story about a bad man. , maybe the melody bass will come,with minimal chords have to work it out.
there
end of the month accomplishment. spent most of today in my studio where I teach with the keyboards and stuff
cheers and good night
bryon
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Father Time
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1/31/2016 8:35:04 AM
Here's magnetic poetry which some use to deal with writer's block.
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Bryon Tosoff
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1/31/2016 8:47:31 AM
Thanks Scott, I did a quick look and will meander through there
As for my commitment to this challenge, well, i just realized all the pruning of the grape vines and cherry tree coming up and prepping the large garden we have. February is the month to clean things up.
Got a lot of special trees and plants that need attention, that is one of my passions. so to Replant, split plants move plants arrange things I probably wont get a lot done in the Spring or Summer and with my teaching and promotion and usual life things, as we all have lots to do.
So will get done what I can, but a good challenge nonetheless and good suggestion and idea. I will though work on the one song that has been eluding me which I start and it morphs into some other thing. Probably cause I am away from the piano and working on parts with the synths and programming patches. I think I will go back to the piano and lay down the shell, take my time, not rush through it and craft it out and write it down other thoughts or ideas as they come.
Like i said, i am more a spontaneous writer drawing from inspiration at the piano, stuff just happens there kinda , more instrumentals, sometimes maybe a song with lyrics, not often, not my thing but will try to improve there.
have a good one, see how this idea pans out for me. i am somewhat of a procrastinator when it comes to my own workings
later
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Larree
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2/1/2016 8:44:33 AM
My next musical move is tomorrow night. I have a second life gig. Haven't touched a guitar since last year. I guess I should practice some.
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Bryon Tosoff
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2/1/2016 9:07:54 AM
second life sounds interesting Larree, i think Scott brought this up last year as a possibility for IMP artists but seems there were not enough wanting to jump in it
have fun
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Jilly
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2/1/2016 11:50:02 AM
I have become obsessed with the magic of BREAD songs and I've been trying for ages to produce something that comes anywhere near. It's hard as I don't play guitar and I don't have a sexy male vocal. I found the optimum pace and range and I'm working of construction but those killer hooks aren't there yet.
There are plenty of BREAD sound-alikes around but none touches the spot for me.
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Bryon Tosoff
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2/1/2016 12:52:50 PM
There could be something else in the works coming with my influences. sometime
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Bryon Tosoff
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2/2/2016 3:36:34 PM
latest song, here is a new one, On the run, synth driven jazz rock rock funky groove.
on the run
I think this will be it for awhile, I have other things happening might take some time till next one. depends on inspiration and opportunity to build tracks .
cheers
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Steve Ison
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2/3/2016 8:14:28 AM
I'm planning alot this year..Just getting 2 Steve Ison solo albums finished and mastered 'On The Way Up' and 'Love In A Strange World'..They should be out by end of March..
Finishing 'Strangest Feeling' band album at bassist Petes..That should be out June/July
Gonna start recording the ADHD (the other band i'm in) album march/April
There's an acoustic/songwriting duo i'm in with my Canadian friend Sarah called 'Pavots'.,.Will def start recording and finishing all the songs we've been writing.Hopefully complete an album by the end of this year..
Gonna re-start the 'song every 2 weeks' project i did a few years ago with my friend Colette in March..Hopefully as an impetus to record more songs i've written (and do new ones)
Plan to carry on entering every monthly 1+1 'full production' and collabro song contests at this other site i frequent called muses muse..Have a backlog of produced songs to enter-but 1+1s require recording and collabro ones require writing AND recording..
Thats enough to be getting on with at the moment :)
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Bryon Tosoff
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2/4/2016 8:27:39 AM
Steve Ison, you are so methodical and organized in your thinking, presentation of what you are going to do. Planning is key to success in anything. So it is no wonder your songcrafting is always so good , reflective in your thought process. As for me, I have never been very solid in that way, but rely more on spontaneity and in the moment thing, although on occasion I do sit down and work at a few things , but planning, ah man , just not me, everybody is different. lot of talented hard working people here at IMP and seeing how Steve approaches his song building and collabs is perhaps a way for me to imitate and improve my own abilities
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2/4/2016 9:49:14 AM
Well Hello To All. I've decided to tag a few threads while I'm stopping by.
I have, if you've not noticed, toned down my frequency of posting. I realize it's not a competition, but perhaps less is more with me. At any rate, let me keep to topic here.
Scott, you raise a very interesting question.
I have a wide range of goals, I just was telling myself I don't have any,
but then upon further thought, perhaps I may at that.
I wanted to address first though,
oh, okay, second, make that.
Jillianne. Yes Bread is Incredible.
Have you heard this one?
It's one of my favorites.
These boys had more than a bit of Beatle influence if you ask me.
"Could I" by Bread
There we are. This may be one of their more complex songs,
timing switchies, goes this way, goes that way, then the chorus, Oh God.
Now then.
About writer's block. Perhaps I can help. Perhaps not but I shall try nonetheless.
When Pete came and saw that it's John for real,
one of the things---and I'd never seen Lennon so animated in all his afterlife,
before or since---one of the things he said to Pete was,
"It's all in the title, Pete! You get the title, you've got the whole goddamned f-ing song!"
That was the morning we all wrote "Between Here And There" by BEATLESEX,
(I really suppose I shall have to now post that particular song, won't I. And maybe another one from the Pete album now that I think of it, at least that, yeah.)
Now, so as not to launch into a big long thing here, because then it seems
like I'm just trying to make it about me. And I'm not. But John had a point.
The title, is a very key element. Here's another key element.
A couple, actually. One of mine, far as sayings like the one from John
I just told you all, is "to be a songwriter is to be well versed in being able
to aptly entertain a 'what if'"....
So, imagination is important.
We can as we get older, forget how to imagine. Even I understand this by now.
I say it like that because I've always lived in my imagination. Then I stopped
getting high, so now I only spend my off hours there. In Imaginationland.
So that's one thing to remember, have imagination, be able
to entertain a 'what if', okay that's two things, plus John's,
'it's all in the title, you find the title, you've got the whole goddamned f-ing song'
which is also one for the utility list.
Here's another.
If you are modest, you should perhaps consider another passion,
perhaps knitting. Or ping-pong. Or Call Of Duty 8 or whatever they're up to.
Songwriting, to be good at it,
you have to go absolutely against your own natural inclination to cover up.
It's your job, if you are to take songwriting seriously, to not cover up.
Covering up is for the other people, it's why they need us around.
Somebody's gotta get naked for cryin' out loud. Otherwise we're all repressed,
oppressed, permanent pressed, whathaveyou.
So, it's very much, not only a damn good degree of
'be able to get naked, and in public, and at the drop of a hat
should the need suddenly arise', in a manner of speaking,
don't go getting yourself arrested because you took that literally.
Also, do you carry a faucet spigot? Well get one.
It's a tool of the trade.
Now, look at your arm, pick a vein.
Tap a vein and Bleed. Pour a Nice Tall Glass, don't be stingy.
Save the stingy for the half-assed novices.
You wanna be a professional? We're talkin' a nice tall Long Island Ice Tea Glass.
Hop On Pop, it literally pains me to think you're having trouble writing a song.
You were literally the first book I ever read.
By The Magic of Constantinople and Timbuktu, May Your Muse Flow,
like it's just that time of the month.
Larree, it also pains me greatly to hear you're having a rough time of it.
Remember Folks, it's not like 'where the heck did I put that peanut butter?'
Seriously. It isn't. It so isn't.
Let me put it this way.
Are you asking yourself,
"What can I write about?" or "What do I want to write about?"
Yes?
If so, you're probably doing it wrong.
Many is the time you'll get better results,
asking this:
"What is the song I DON'T want to write?"
Betcha a Tall Glass of Whatever I have left, you'll come up with something.
And if not, if you'd like help,
I then offer it,
write to me,
American_Lesley_Jane@yahoo.com
or here as well,
musicmanager2001@yahoo.com
We shall converse. I'll help you figure out what you want to be writing about,
I know, that is an absolutely preposterous and boisterous thing to suggest.
I shall try, certainly, you have my word on that.
Perhaps I can write lyrics, maybe that'll help you get started...
in any event, I'm game if you are. Whomever.
Oh, Scott,
you want to put it all on one page?
Are you trying to break the system?
You're pretty prolific.
I am too, which is why I'm actually constantly deleting old ones,
making way for new ones, did that just this morning in fact.
And Negative Tendencies is a mindblowingly fantastic band.
Deserves it's own page for sure. As do you my friend.
So. Lastly.
Goals.
Short term: maybe make a couple hot dogs. Maybe.
Perhaps I'll save them and watch my figure. It's large and round
and hard to miss, so I don't know why I'd bother watching it.
Long term: Become the Next Elvis Lesley, Flying on a Chariot of BEATLES.
Become absolutely disgustingly rich, become more well-known than Pizza,
uh, what else, oh just absolutely impossible things,
like make Jillianne swoon and write me a love song.
You might as well dream big, either way, it may not ever work out.
But you have more fun if you dream big.
Just remember to spend some time in reality, take it from me,
that was always a big one for me. Now, let's see about them hot doggies...
Love to you All.
~Lesley Jane
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2/4/2016 9:50:50 AM
PS...
Steve Ison, you are frightfully brilliant. An Inspiration To Us All.
The Muse is no stranger to you my friend.
~L
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2/4/2016 4:34:59 PM
Yes, I know.
I shall have to settle for being
The Next Great Rock Phenomenon, Being Disgustingly Rich,
and simply utter a pathetic sigh when Ms Jillianne walks by.
I know. *sigh*
I know.
~L
F*** it. Who Wants Pie?
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Steve Ison
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2/7/2016 7:27:04 AM
Bryon/Lesley Jane -Thanx for the kind thoughts -Appreciated
Bryon...I don't actually feel that disciplined really...The band/collaboration projects have a life of their own with other people adding alot of enthusiasm,creative energy n practical support - and basically all i have to do is get out of the way,play my part and allow things to run their natural course..Its like being part of a great team in a job you really enjoy n believe in where other people are really pulling their weight too
Keeping the impetus/motivation going with regularly producing my own solo stuff is alot harder..Thats why i like outside pressures to help complete things-Like competitions at musesmuse or the self-imposed discipline of the 'song every 2 weeks' idea with my friend Colette..If i didn't have those things as a spur i'd actually produce very little
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Steve Ison
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2/7/2016 7:43:25 AM
Todd..Really feel with you with your writers block..Some very insightful,interesting suggestions by Lesley Jane that i'll just add my tuppence to-in the hope it might be even the minutest bit of help lol
I know when i experienced writers block -it was from putting too much pressure on myself to come up with something 'great',comparing myself negatively with my musical heroes,it all felt too important...Pouncing on any slivver of creativity that managed to break thru that rigid headspace and then tightening up with fear 'cos it felt so important to get a great chorus to match that (which never came)
Now,i really don't care about results at all.My only care is to enjoy the creative process,feel free and 'play' and let the chips fall where they may....Ironically i'm more likely to come up with something 'great' with that headspace,or at least something i find interesting..
As a perverse suggestion,it might be more productive to say i'm NOT gonna write/complete anything for 3 months..But have half hour a day where you just play thru other songs you like-let yourself slide into different riffs..Anything where you can just ENJOY the process and the songs eventually will come back by themselves..
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Hop On Pop
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2/7/2016 9:28:10 AM
Had lunch with a friend of mine last week: a former bandmate. I love his voice, and I decided that I am going to try to write a song specifically FOR him to sing. Maybe if I change my headspace like that, I may be able to produce something.
We'll see.
Also, if we lived near each other, I would love to collaborate with you on something. Tried the long-distance thing, and it just doesn't work for me.
Maybe I'll see who I can talk into sitting down with me?
But, in the meantime… gotta see if I can write something for Rich.
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Larree
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2/7/2016 9:45:30 AM
---- Updated 2/7/2016 9:46:33 AM
Great idea, Todd. Writing for another artist can free you up from any possible inner criticism that may stand in the way if you are trying to write for yourself and you are stuck.
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Bryon Tosoff
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2/7/2016 10:10:17 AM
good thought there Todd, look forward to your finished song, best of luck, go for it
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