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I use the word “creating” to include writing, singing, recording, playing, or arranging.
For the past months I have been musically frustrated and therefore non-productive in creating music. I work primarily with covers. I make the excuse to myself that there is so much incredible music available for me to experience as a musician that I don’t need to spend any effort writing my own material.
I have been working on one music project for months to cover a Joe Jackson song. Actually, I have been singing the lyrics for so long now my wife has complained (the verse is a little dark in spots and she feels I am trying to tell her something!). My skills allow me to get to a certain point and then I sit and cannot finish. I am not trying to do note for note transcription, although, if I could, perhaps that is what I should be doing as at least I could be making progress. Maybe this project is just more than I can accomplish.
So I stop for a while to refocus, and try something simpler – a cover of Some Where Over the Rainbow. to me one of the most beautiful songs ever written. In two days I have a nice working arrangement. BIAB – RT’s- vocals – guitar solo. I should be satisfied, but no. Each note I have sung, each chord I played, each guitar lick – they all need work. I am not a professional musician and have not spent a lifetime honing my musical skills, on top of that I was not given an extraordinary musical talent to begin with – and perhaps that is the essences of my frustration.
When creating music is so important, how do we have fun when our limitations get in the way? I’d like to think there was a New Year’s resolution in here, but I don’t see the situation getting better.
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Dan,
you're not alone. Many of us have the recurring problem of taking a project so far, then not knowing how to tie up all the loose ends into a finished product.
For me this is true not only in music, but also in home improvement projects, raising the kids, fixing the car (etc etc the list is long.)
Everybody bogs down somewhere, but our bog down places are all different. Therefore I find it helpul to collaborate with others when I bog down. Almost always the other person will know a way to overcome my obstacles, and I will know a way to overcome theirs.
The forum here is an example of the same concept. All of us together are smarter than any of us individually.
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dan, i experience a sort of biab saturation where my best efforts begin to sound too similar to previous work. i then realize it's time to rest my ears for awhile, sometimes for several days. it probably is similar to "writer's block" for an author. i have only recently tried my hand at writing lyrics. that's a ho nudder animal! if i was doing it for financial gain, i would soon starve to death. that's when i step back and apply the "peter (gannon) principle" and remember to "have fun!"
i just saw pat's comment and he just described "synergy," or the concept that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." i have seen that proved true numerous times on these forums.
Last edited by Don Gaynor; 01/01/12 08:56 AM.
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Most people are very bad critics of ...themselves.
Move on.
A whack of people showed up here last night. Eventually the flute was produced along with a book and my wife and I played. A dozen songs we never played together, and for her the first time. The Red Red Robin was bobbin and we finished with Stardust. The latter was cool because I let her play the first few bars before I came in on the piano.
Because most of the time none of the people in front of you can't play a lick, they really like to hear live music. Figure out how to fit it in!
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Hi jazzmandan,
When I was just a young lad (some fifty years ago), this old session musician said to me -
"Don't try to play anything too complicated. Play something simple and then make sure you put your heart and soul into it. It's that, that the makes the track great."
It seems to me that if you're using BiaB for most of the tracks, all the expression has to go into whatever is "live". I sometimes find it helps if I sing with my eyes shut and the volume up loud in the 'phones and then I can just let the emotion out through the words.
I also find that if I'm doing a cover, it's best not to try to copy it exactly, so people won't immediately compare my version to the original - look how many different arrangements there are of "Summertime", but there's probably still room for one more.
At the end of the day, there's no right or wrong in music. If we were all looking for perfection, would Dylan be singing, or Springsteen playing the harmonica?
With apologies to both Dylan and Springsteen who's music I love!
ROG.
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To me, frustration in some area and sometimes multiple frustration in several areas is all a part of the creative process. I don’t think I’ve ever not experienced it. Struggling with my limitations just goes with the territory for me. Once I push pass it the result is a good feeling that makes the frustration worthwhile. But there are times when I have to accept that some element is as good as it gets and move on. Perfection is a worthy goal but I can’t let it become so harsh a master that it hinders more than spurs me on to be better. I’ve had happy surprises from mistakes that took me in a different direction - serendipity. What helps me is knowing that I will find that vibe that moves me enough that I can accept the inevitable flaw. And also knowing if I’m not moved enough then I will push and retry until I get to that vibe or scrap it and go on to something else. I've also learned to find the humor in my striving which lightens the load at rough times. The fun for me as a songwriter is going where the creative ride takes me in spite of my limitations. I think everybody has limitations to varying degrees. BTW, that part about your wife made me laugh. Give yourself some slack. You’ll nail it.  Josie
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Don't do covers! If you do originals, then -- however they come out, then that's how they are supposed to be.
I am not kidding. Especially in an audience type situation. If you do covers, then you had better be really good -- or every one knows it. If you do originals, then there is some leeway in the presentation (still has to be good and interesting, though). Abandon covers for awhile and start writing.
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Quote:
I use the word “creating” to include writing, singing, recording, playing, or arranging.
For the past months I have been musically frustrated and therefore non-productive in creating music. I work primarily with covers. I make the excuse to myself that there is so much incredible music available for me to experience as a musician that I don’t need to spend any effort writing my own material.
I have been working on one music project for months to cover a Joe Jackson song. Actually, I have been singing the lyrics for so long now my wife has complained (the verse is a little dark in spots and she feels I am trying to tell her something!). My skills allow me to get to a certain point and then I sit and cannot finish. I am not trying to do note for note transcription, although, if I could, perhaps that is what I should be doing as at least I could be making progress. Maybe this project is just more than I can accomplish.
So I stop for a while to refocus, and try something simpler – a cover of Some Where Over the Rainbow. to me one of the most beautiful songs ever written. In two days I have a nice working arrangement. BIAB – RT’s- vocals – guitar solo. I should be satisfied, but no. Each note I have sung, each chord I played, each guitar lick – they all need work. I am not a professional musician and have not spent a lifetime honing my musical skills, on top of that I was not given an extraordinary musical talent to begin with – and perhaps that is the essences of my frustration.
When creating music is so important, how do we have fun when our limitations get in the way? I’d like to think there was a New Year’s resolution in here, but I don’t see the situation getting better.
WOW Dan . . . I was felling pretty good until I read your post.  Just kidding of course as I think we all go through that from time to time, frustrated because either the notes, chords or lyrics won't come and then BAM! out of nowhere (no not the tune, although it is a great one) things just seem to fall into place. Also from time to time as much as I know that down deep inside I love to sit and arrange/tweak nearly every song in my book there are those rare occasions when I would rather take a butt whooping instead. I think that is the inner conductor telling me to take some time away from the project, and I never argue with the band leader (unless he/she is the drummer) so I do just that. Maybe it’s just a day or two or even as much as a week or so but when I get back to it, it seems like the project just falls into place.
Of course that is the beauty part of BIAB as the rest of the band sits patiently and waits for my return. So remember if little blue birds fly way above the rainbow, so can you!
Happy New Year!
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Quote:
Don't do covers! If you do originals, then -- however they come out, then that's how they are supposed to be.
I am not kidding. Especially in an audience type situation. If you do covers, then you had better be really good -- or every one knows it. If you do originals, then there is some leeway in the presentation (still has to be good and interesting, though). Abandon covers for awhile and start writing.
Come on now, there is always some leeway in a performance, especially if you do covers. There is that every present challenge to put your own spin on the tune and still keep it immediately recognizable to your audience.
Happy New Year!
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What a nice collection of comments from a particularly articulate and compassionate group (Pat, Don, John, ROG, Josie, Kevin, Danny) – certainly some experienced words of wisdom. Not sure what I expected with this posting other than to share a moment of musical frustration. I do so appreciate and find encouragement in all the nice words. Each contribution provided insight into how to bring the fun back into my music. Stay tuned, this too shall pass…. Thank you all. Dan
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of course there is the side benefit of your music interest:
your help to those of us on the forums
thanks
Lenovo YOGA 900 Window s 10 Home 64bit M4 pro Mac mini 1tb HD 24GB mem casio wk7500 presonus audiobox i2 usb interface
casio wk-7500
biab & realband 2025 everything pk both with Current builds
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Quote:
I love Some Where over the Rainbow , here's my version !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdUbEwPwvwI&feature=g-upl&context=G2a9c3f5AUAAAAAAABAA
Not very loud so you may have to turn it up, recorded it on a laptop mic and webcam .
Holy cow, is that you Tommy?
Actually, I think this simple rendition answers the question of the post better than any words can. What a wonderful illustration of creating music and having fun!! I sit here with a room full of gear, actually worrying about a note here or there - and then you step up to the mic, and just frickin play, Super version, thanks for sharing. Heck, this version should go viral or at least everyone here in the forum should see it.
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Mike, I do appreciate the kind words, thank you. 
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Stupendous Tommy. I think I need one of those. I was on that trip about 1966. Ate something on blotter paper. I remember those colours. Trippy.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Dan ,I think if you watch it 3 or 4 times you get some kind of viral infection ! Yes I am the fat,old,bald toothless one in the video. What colors John ? Are you having a flash-back , someone call 911 John's doing it again ! OK what's the number for 911 in Canada ,is it 912 or 911.5 ?
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cool Tommy.
Where'd you get the washtub bass?
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I builded it out of junk people threw away !
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Tommy,
That was neat and very entertaining.
Later,
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Thank you Danny ! Just go's to show ya ain't gotta have some fancy axe to have fun ,music can be fun with a bucket too . Yee Haw !
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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