Writing music is like a muscle- #success = working it.

When we start out it is very difficult to figure out how to begin work on a piece. If you are lucky there will be a burst of inspiration. Quite often that is followed by a blank stare. What do I do next? Where do I go? How will I ever finish? It is common and very easy to slip into a depression at this point to where you stop work and never finish.. We all go through this...everyone.

How does one combat this? The key is learning how to approach the process and to learn how you behave when you are actively in the process. The better you understand yourself and your process, the better chance you have of being effective.

Once you decide on an idea....commit to it. This is crucial. Defining your goals in real terms (I am going to be finished tomorrow) will help you create the structure needed to get to the end. I'm reminded of an Igor Stravinsky quote: "the more restrictions I place on myself, the freer I become". At first glance this may seem counter-intuitive. In fact, it is just the opposite. Without definition it is impossible for your listener to understand what you are doing, let alone you. If you look at a great painting, the intent of the artist will be clear. The mystery will come from your interpretation....what you think of the work. Great art provokes a response. Music is no different. Limiting the scope of what you are attempting will train your mind to focus. And, the creative mind will look for ways to take these few symbols or characters and make something new.

Now it is time to go to work. Sitting at the desk is mental exercise...not unlike going to the gym and working out. Instead of lifting weights you will be in a constant problem solving state.

As you work on a piece you will get distracted, stop and start, come back to it another day. You will find no limit to number of distractions you will potentially face. Take a minute and jot your goal down on a piece of paper or index card. Defining your goals, committing to an idea will give you an object to refer to as time passes...reminding you of where you are going.

I'm also a HUGE fan of the idea of getting to the end.  It is impossible to evaluate a work without having something complete to judge. One of the huge advantages of MIDI is that enables you to switch gears and become an audience instead of a participant. Listening to what you've done with a critical ear...judging your work not from your ego (aren't I cool?) but from an objective and analytical point of view (how does this help me achieve my goal?) is the key to growth. MIDI can also be like a bottomless cup of coffee...that allows you to chase your tail indefinitely. I you clearly define your purpose at the start you can limit the time spent pursuing endless permutations.

Whenever I start a project I work my way through the following list:

Commit to an idea

Limit my possibilities

Define my goals

Set a specific amount of time to devote

Step back and judge my work objectively and edit as necessary

Creating a process (or workflow) that you are comfortable with and training yourself to think in these terms will move you forward as an artist...if you do the work. That much I can guarantee.

Like any muscle, the more you exercise it, the easier it becomes.

Ideas vs. Execution- Monday Musings

What separates the successful from the wannabes is execution.

Oh man! My dream is to be ______!!!! 

Where do I start? 

As you begin your journey you will be filled with excitement, uncertainty and have many questions. It is all too easy to bounce from one idea to another especially in today’s social media driven environment. Too much stimulation. Too many choices. No clear answers. Knowing which questions to ask and how to assemble what you learn will be crucial to reaching your destination.

Daunting? maybe. Insurmountable? no.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

When you peel an onion multiple layers unfold. Each one is slightly different with each fulfilling a specific purpose while still being part of the whole. Like peeling an onion, deconstructing your dream into smaller, manageable pieces allows you to see how the puzzle is put together.

Ideas are a dime a dozen especially with creative individuals. Not unlike having a marble continually rolling around inside your head without end. Creating something tangible from your idea requires you to get it out of your head so you can examine it from different angles before you take action.

Any journey or project requires research and planning to be able to execute. And while planning may not seem as glamorous as creating it is every bit as important. And, it can be creatively rewarding too.

If you are considering taking a vacation most likely it is the destination that entices you to choose one over another. And while there may be many things to see along the way the destination is usually the driver. Committing to the idea (of taking a vacation) is the first step. Breaking your trip into manageable pieces (how far you will have to drive each day, where you will stay each night etc) will ensure you reach your destination. 

You can take the same approach to your career. The overwhelming part comes from looking at the mountain wondering how you will ever get to the top?  Without doing the necessary preparation it is next to impossible. And while everyone's journey is different, in the end, the path is remarkably similar.

A big difference between those who succeed those who don't is that the successful person can create a strategy, know what tools to acquire and how to create tasks small enough to be executed successfully. You build a wall one step at a time.

Don't let the size of the mountain stop you. The more aware you become you may realize that your approach will have to change to reach your destination. And if your approach has to change. So be it. Better to take a detour than stay on a dead end road.

The trick is to enjoy the ride. :)

Monday Musings: Wash, Rinse, Repeat

Entrepreneurship, composing and survival.

Ever wonder why some people succeed and others don’t? In the past pathways to success were well defined and thus can be navigated. As it was when Henry Ford created the assembly line, finding your pathway to success today it is not so simple. 

Navigating through life and music can be viewed as a continual decision making process—constantly choosing between different options. But how do we determine which choice to make?

There are no rules. Most of us rely on our intuition to help guide us based upon past successes and failures thinking that what has worked in the past will work again. But what if the rules change in the middle of the game?

If our goal is stay in the game (survival) both our attitude and our perception has to change to meet the challenges as we face them. We must change our expectations and goals to stay inline with life as it is—not as it was. Why is that so difficult?

Conditioned responses are very difficult to change. The good news is that it is not impossible. The challenge is to not only be a participant in your life but also an observer. If you make the commitment to being brutally honest with yourself you can apply the problem solving skills you have developed in your creative life and intuition . Here are some steps that helped me:

     1-   Accepting that my previous life no longer exists- and to pursue the future using previous models will not move my life forward.

     2-   Doing a personal SWOT Analysis

     3-   Keeping abreast of leading trends.

     4-   Creating a strategy based on what you have learned.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

As we move away from 20^th century business practices (mass marketing, media, broadcasting) we will no longer have one or two careers in our lives. We will be forced to adapt from one career to the next as the world around us changes. Uncertainty is the new norm but it need not be overwhelming.

The good news in all of this is that the creative individual has an enormous advantage. The creative individual constantly reassesses and evaluates situations and opportunities.  Who better to define the future than the creative individual?

What is the best news?

If a strategy doesn’t work, let it go and start over. The only person holding you back is yourself.

Top Ten Myths about being A Film Composer: #2-"My Music Is My Brand- 'nuff said".

What Is A Brand?

If I were to ask you this question would you have an answer? If I asked you to describe your brand could you tell me? Do you even know why it is important? We all use search to vett and verify everyone we met. If you see a strong consistent online presence chances are they have spent time thinking about their brand which translates into higher credibility and possible employment.
So how do you begin to build your brand?

Let me ask you a few questions:

• What are your "Core Values"?
• How do you support (pillars) your core values?
• What is your "promise" (mission statement) to your customers/audience?
• Where do you want to go? (aspirations)
• If you asked someone to articulate who you are what would they say? (Brand Characteristics)
• How do you work? Who to you work with? (Culture)
• Describe your professional "personality".
• Can you identify where your best opportunities are? Can you describe your image?

If you were to hire a branding company to help you sell your services these are some of the questions they would ask. They wouldn't be able to even start without knowing this crucial information. 

Your music is a commodity.

To be successful in marketing yourself you must start think of what you do as being a "product" that is bought and sold. Yeah , Yeah....I know this sounds hardcore. It doesn't have much to do with making music. Or does it?

Believe it or not, I still get uncomfortable when talking about my music and my career...even after all these years. I have found, through painful trial and error, that when I think of my music as if it were an inanimate object I am much more at ease and less self conscious. I remind myself that I am expressing my brand not myself. I can then focus on the other person and be confident. Never forget- it's all about connecting with who you are talking to.

What does that mean to you?

Think of your music as your "brand"-which is to say that "you" are different than your brand.

The questions above describe the basics of branding  a company, product or individual so that the reader or potential buyer can determine quickly (10 sec. or less) if you have given them sufficient reason to engage them in what you are offering. Doing this effectively requires you to be able to articulate your message (promise or mission statement) succinctly without hesitation. Rehearse your elevator pitch! It will give you a big boost of confidence. 

Why branding?

In recent times there has been much emphasis on "branding". You might think "branding" is cool graphics, great trailer style music, attention grabbing etc. Ever ask yourself how they come up with that stuff? (a great video describing what a brand is).

That being said: branding is about creating a shared experience that denotes quality, service and value that the user carries with them. To express these ideas to a listener, reader or employer you must be clear about the meaning of the message you are delivering. Here is an analogy:  to be a successful orchestrator one has to learn how to write in "in the language of the orchestra ".  Getting to the heart of who you are, what you stand for will make your sales process more effective.

What does this have to do with making music?

The more you work, the more chance you have to make music.

'nuff said.

Top Ten Myths about being A Film Composer #3...The jobs will just come to me!

Who  sells your services?

Your manager? Your agent? Your publisher? Your friends? Sales happen organically...I'm a musician....not a salesperson.

Let me ask you a couple questions: Do you want to be paid for your services? Do you want to make a living by making music? Do you want to be respected for the work you do? Do you believe that you are worth the money you are asking for?

Like it or not if you want to make money at making music you will be much better off if you accept that you are running a business. And, like playing an instrument, the more you practice,  the better you will become.

Here is a dirty little secret:

You have to value yourself before anyone will value you.

What is your elevator pitch?

One of the hardest things for the creative individual to do is to succinctly describe and express who they are and what they want. If I were to ask you: "who are you? what do you want? "how can I help you?" can you answer in 25 words or less?

My attention is the most valuable resource I have. I don't like to waste it. Neither does a potential boss. When you find yourself in a networking situation have your elevator pitch rehearsed and ready to go. It's a sign of respect and competence. It will give you confidence too.

Much like a first date it will be apparent in a couple of minutes whether or not there is any possibility of a good fit. The thing to remember is that timing is everything. Nothing may happen at first...but- if you are successful at making a connection you leave the door open for something in the future. And, you never know, a chance encounter may be the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Be Prepared. Be respectful. Interpersonal skills are a must. I'm sure you know people who seem to effortlessly schmooze with anyone. Let me tell you- it is a skill that can be learned. I've found that listening, paying attention, being attentive are great skills to nurture. Remember: it's not about you. It's about the relationship.

"People work with people they know....who they feel they can have a relationship with.

There are the rare instances when someone will hire you because they "have" to have what you do....but that is the exception. And, even if they did hire you....they still have to get along with you.

How do I improve my networking skills?

Think of it this way- you would never dream of performing in public without practicing first? This holds true with networking too.

• Practice your elevator pitch.
• Ask questions....about them! Most everyone likes to talk about themselves.
• Pay attention- make eye contact, have a firm handsake. Pay them a compliment.
• Focus on how you can help them....not how they can help you.
• Be authentic.

...it's all about making the connection.

How does this get me a job?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. There a lot of people out there. If you stay within those people you know your opportunities will be limited. And, you just never know where potential opportunities will come from.

Besides- you may not want to work with just anybody.

A successful creative collaboration requires intimacy and trust. It is next to impossible to share those amazing moments of discovery and invention without it.

"I have the artist's disease- I want everyone to love me."

Truth be told I hear "no" more often than I hear "yes". It took me a long time to realize that my self-worth didn't depend on what others thought of me. This is so important let me say it again: my self-worth doesn't depend on what others think.

This gave me the freedom to be myself and just go for it...and risk rejection. And, if someone says "no" then I just remind myself that "I must be talking to the wrong person".

Monday Musings: The most famous selfie of the famous...ever!

It was bound to happen. The Oscars and their advertisers have joined the dark side. For the first time in history an Oscar telecast incorporated a “selfie” distributed to the world over Twitter.

At first glance this may not seem significant. But, if you pull back the covers several issues come to the forefront.

Advertisers are desperate to find ways to reach an audience that doesn’t want to be bothered.

Every last one of the actors portrayed in the selfie seem desperate to be relevant and or share in a collaborative experience with billions of people. 

And, rather than elevate the craft and promote excellence the Oscars have descended from a professional class to the massive group of 2 Billion people who use social media everyday. If I were a cynical person I would say that the Wizard’s curtain has been drawn exposing that they are only people after all. Even Pharrell Williams wore ruby slippers! Greatness is no longer out of reach...it's at the end of your arm. 

Where do we go from here? 

The democratization of media creation will surely continue to erode the professional class but that is not a bad thing. Rather than have your media and movie experience controlled by the powerful few that dictate taste, you, the individual, now have the opportunity to shape the world as you see fit. And, if your message is powerful enough you will break through the noise and find your audience. No longer will artists be the pawns of those who flaunt their power and control.

Do I know where this will end up? I haven’t a clue. But this I know: art will survive as it has for thousands of years. 

At the end of the film “Monuments Men” President Roosevelt asked George Clooney’s character: “Do you think art is worth the loss of life?” To which Clooney said: Yes. I believe so. 

So the only question that need be answered: what is YOUR level of devotion?

Monday Musings: "Being Cool - Creating Engaging Relationships"

Is being “cool” a subjective term? For some, being cool is as attractive as a flame to a moth. For others it is something to be avoided. Whatever your opinion we all think of it as a “mysterious quality” that some people have and others don’t.

Don’t believe it. For me being “cool” is a combination of three personality traits. And, regardless of your natural aptitudes your “coolness” can be nurtured and refined.

What makes somebody “cool”?

Having discipline, willpower and the ability to focus attention.

Like most people I instantly feel more comfortable when the person I'm talking to is in control of their emotions, unflappable and can focus their attention on me, rather than the multitude of distractions available. In this instance being able to focus your attention really means being able to listen attentively.

Why is attentive listening “cool”?

Focusing your attention while listening is when the magic happens. Focused attention opens the door to making real and lasting connections. It is only after such a connection is made that you can be truly compassionate and empathetic. As the world continues to change at such a dramatic pace our attraction to authentic relationships will become more and more important. Great value can be derived by simply by listening well. Without even realizing it your “cool” factor will increase.

Why is discipline “cool”?

We all face difficult situations. Those who maintain their self-control usually manage to navigate through rough waters while those who react emotionally will have a more difficult time. The phrase: “cool under fire” comes to mind. Don’t we all prefer to be around people who seem unflappable and exude a sense of personal strength?

Determination is defined as a “firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end”. Why is Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson or any other successful athlete or performer deemed “cool?” They have all used their willpower and determination to achieve their goals. We instinctively gravitate towards winners because at some level we want to share in and identify with their success.

And why is being “cool” so important?

We have reached a milestone as a culture. Almost without exception we have learned to spot a phony a mile away. We no longer will accept being sold a bill of goods.

Effectively using social media requires that you offer the reader something more than what you receive in return. What better than to offer them the chance to experience an authentic connection? Now that would really be “cool”!

Increasing your “cool” factor is not mysterious. It’s actually rather simple:

• Listen with focused attention (enabling authentic connections)
• Strive to be disciplined (staying on message)
• Never give up (pursuing your goals)

How will that change lives?

You will undoubtedly affect the lives of those around you. And, you may realize one day that you are, in fact, pretty cool!

A picture(song) is worth a 1000 words

Lee Plaza Ballroom - Detroit

A filmmaker will use every means at their disposal in service of the story they are telling. The great filmmaker will use the script, casting, performances, set design, lighting, costumes, camera, lenses, sets, locations, props, costumes, hair and more to manipulate and create the desired experience for the viewer. Music is just another color on the director’s palette. Great photography captures a moment in time that asks us step outside ourselves and ask: Who are those people? What are they thinking? What in the world happened? Every picture has a story behind it. Adding music provides an unseen emotional context to the experience. An original dramatic score composed for a movie heightens the suspension of disbelief required by the audience but the use of music from a different medium serves an entirely different purpose. But what about using songs or existing music from a different medium?

The power of music as a story telling tool

If we were to hear “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones or “Light My Fire” by The Doors or any other song from the sixties we would unconsciously remember our feelings, and knowledge of the turbulent times in which these songs were written and recorded. Using existing music leverages the viewer’s personal experiences thus providing a cultural point of reference for a filmmaker. Not all filmmakers understand this but those that do tend to make better movies.

The use of this song over that song (freely substitute existing piece of music) is a conscious decision made by the director.  Blending original score with existing music is challenging but not insurmountable if you take the time to understand why those songs were chosen and how it helps the director tell the story.   You can learn a lot about your director and the project by understanding how they went about choosing a temp score or a song.  Taking your awareness to this level will not only help you write more effective music...it will make you a better composer...and more employable.