Thanks for tuning in! Today, I want to share my process and workflow for creating the main theme of a track. I'll be using a track that I've featured in several videos, one that you guys have enjoyed a lot. The end result sounds something like this.
Making music is a truly enjoyable experience. Playing around in the DAW, experimenting with synthesizers, and generating as many ideas as possible is incredibly fun and fulfilling. However, finishing up tracks can be frustrating. While starting a new track, laying down the kick and bassline, and jamming can be exhilarating, the final stages often bring a sense of responsibility that can be daunting.
When we're in the creative zone, the process is enjoyable because we have endless possibilities. But as we near completion, we often face the challenge of making final decisions. This part of the job requires responsibility and courage. Many talented friends of mine struggle with this final step, which holds them back from achieving their potential and spreading their fantastic work.
There's a common belief that being tough on ourselves will improve our music, but I promise you that's not the case. Recently, I tried recording a video about making arpeggios in a different project. While recording, I came up with a progression that I really liked and realized it would be perfect for another track. Creativity often strikes unexpectedly, and we don't get to decide when these moments happen.
Drawing from my experience and insights from Rick Rubin's book on creativity, I believe we are merely antennas for creative ideas. To be truly creative, we need to be relaxed and in a positive emotional state. Negative emotions like stress and obsession can hinder our creativity. I've experienced this firsthand; whenever I pressured myself to finish a track, it didn't turn out well. Conversely, when I surrendered to the process and ignored the outcome, my best tracks emerged.
Early in my career, I was ambitious and put immense pressure on myself. Despite releasing an album and several tracks, nothing significant happened. It wasn't until I let go of my ambitions and started making music for myself that I created my best work. Many people who follow my work consider these early tracks my best, and I agree. They have a depth that my current work sometimes lacks.
Today, I'm trying to recapture that mindset by making videos and balancing other aspects of life. I firmly believe that to make great music, we must be free from stress and negative emotions. If you want to improve your music, I recommend reading Rick Rubin's book and listening to his podcasts. They offer valuable insights into the creative process.
In my recent project, I experimented with arpeggios, aiming to create a hypnotic and emotional sequence. I started with a simple progression and gradually expanded it, adding transpositions and accents to enhance the melody. This approach, reminiscent of my early work, brought back the magic I experienced back then.
To sum up, the key to great music is enjoying the process and freeing yourself from negative emotions. Focus on the creative journey rather than the outcome, and your best work will naturally follow.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you found this post insightful. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to leave a comment. See you soon in another video!
Best regards,
Marko E-Clip
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