When did it stop being fun... [Updated]

Sometimes, all you might need is a little break (1+ day....or more....) from the studio. When you remove yourself from that environment and come back later, you'll be refreshed, and possibly see/hear things that you didn't see/hear before.  

 
With out directing this at anyone... and I mean that!
 
I think the whole notion of setting up a studio so that you can do everything yourself is the first step to ending up not having fun.
 
I like working on music so doing it solo is ok, but I only have fun when I am working with other musicians and sharing experiences and ideas.
 
I agree that keeping a digital studio working in the ever changing world is a pain... so I try to have as much fun with it in between maintenance and updates and stuff as I can.
 
Just babbling.
 
 
best regards,
mike
 

When inspiration dries up, I usually try do a simple cover of a song I like so that I don't have to think about how it should go etc and just do it for fun rather than getting bogged down with trying to get the sounds in my head to come out sounding like they do in my head. Works most of the time.New stuff can help too !
 
 

I've ALWAYS gone in cycles where I'll get into something (a sport, hobby, work-related stuff, games, being a vidiot in front of the boob-tube, heck - even what foods I like to eat) and, for awhile, I'm gung-ho and all-consumed while almost everything else gets put on hold.  Then some internal switch turns that particular subject off and on to a back burner it goes only to be replaced with something else.
 
After 50 years I've realized that this is just how I am and it's really not possible for me to fully change to fit a "normal" person's type of schedule.  I did well in school, but would have absolutely KILLED every subject if I could completely immerse myself in only one or two subjects for awhile and then switched to others instead of trying a buffet of several every day.
 
To illustrate this using my studio as an example, when I'm in that zone, I'm into it day and night; buying gear, learning, playing, writing, recording, mixing, refining, etc., etc.  Then, without warning, I leave everything and can go months without even picking up an unplugged guitar to noodle around the house with.
 
Since I have some extremely varied interests, and have always realized that the best way to get the most out of an activity is to really learn it and use the best equipment, this can get stupidly expensive and require LOTS of storage space that others absolutely don't understand!  "If you're not using it, then why don't you just get rid of it?"  "Because as soon as that switch turns back on I will definitely be using ALL of it again!"
 
I've given up trying to change who I am, but it's definitely hard on the pocket book and relationships!  LOL.

There are times that I really enjoy what I'm doing for income (what other's would call "a job"  ).  But when the fun dries up in anything I'm doing, I don't want to continue it because then it only seems like work.  Unfortunately, this sometimes has to happen or else I leave things unfinished.  The longer I have to be in "work" mode, the longer I tend to want to stay away from that activity.
 
Oh well!

 Don't give up... I just listen to the radio for a few minutes on any given pop station and then  realize that almost any kind of rested effort can be better than that....ok at least in my opinion and without the pricey engineer sound :)
 
 I'm a lot like you Craig ( in this respect)...when I'm in a "zone" I devour every little bit of information I can find on whatever it is I'm locked into. I don't know when to stop and then it goes cold and I drop it for awhile. I tend to get moody at anyone approaching within 10 feet of my studio door. I have snapped about hearing the crinkle of a wrapper in the kitchen. Then I apologize...it's a vicious cycle.
 
 Last night part of me really wanted to go into the studio, pick something up and play it...I realized I was tired, then I realized I would be unproductive so I watched an old film on Sasquatch, ok I only half watched it...I was tired, better than any sleeping pill. I'm starting to be more alright with taking a breather. I won't force myself to do it if I'm tired,have commotion all round' or don't feel particularly motivated. This is how I have fun. I don't live by it. I do it when I feel like it. If someone starts paying me real green money to do it then that could change, but I would almost miss the opportunity to do it when the mood strikes me.
 
 I have music responsibilities every week and sometimes it can get old knowing I HAVE to be there to do it.Usually the feeling goes away and it isn't all the time, I basically enjoy my weekly music thing...still knowing that in the studio I make the rules is nice.

Actually, we lied to make you feel good.  It's really just you.
 
()

craigb
Actually, we lied to make you feel good.  It's really just you.
 
()

    dude that was cold.... FUNNY, but cold...  LOL
 
 
@ jimisic  -  ya, I bet others here will relate to that. Isn't it odd how that record button
just seems to change everything sometimes?
If you've mastered that ability to just sit and play and not even care about whether you
recorded it at all, well that's pretty cool.
 

I can think of only one time in my life when working on music stopped being fun because of an impossible deadline and overall exhaustion. And that lasted a few days.
 
Otherwise, I don't remember it ever stopping being fun. But I did have to pull the plug on the musical activities for various reasons a couple of times. Weeks, months, years at a time.
 
The best option for me is to find something I can dive into w/ the same amount of dedication. The first time I took a break, I went on to study art history and painting. But that was still too cerebral. I've since found that physical training of some kind is the best way to channel my obssessive-compulsive nature.
 
Incidentally, that's also the time when I'll listen to more music and read more books. I become a receiver more than a transmitter, and I recharge the batteries and absorb new influences.
 
When I fall back into making music, I have very little time and energy for any of that and I kind of need to close myself to distractions and outside influences.
 
Time off is definitely a good thing - as much as I hate to have to take it when I have to.

I still have fun playing music.  Listening to music, and in general, "loving music."  That said, I think I am in a big break from actually composing music.   I'm sort of interested in rounding out my skill set, and incorporating some other things into my life.
 
Perhaps try the same?  and get back to music, when you are ready?  Ergo, do not stress the dry spells; they are there for a reason.

bitflipper
Time to bring in one or more collaborators or guest artists. Set your own stuff aside and spend some time trying to make somebody else sound good. I find that process to be creatively rejuvenating.

But if it was me, you'd say.... "that was no fun".

bapu

bitflipperTime to bring in one or more collaborators or guest artists. Set your own stuff aside and spend some time trying to make somebody else sound good. I find that process to be creatively rejuvenating.

But if it was me, you'd say.... "that was no fun".

@bapu - thanks for that tidbit. I will remember that when using bit's advise on creative rejuvenation.
And Dave that IS good advise. There is this young guy here in town that has been texting me wanting to jam and just talk music. I put his demo together for him to get into music school out in California.
He is an amazing guitar player. I think maybe a few lessons and some jamming might be just the catalyst I need.

@spacey - I dig the positive attitude man. Thanks.

@LInear Phase - I totally agree with you about things being there for a reason.
I've been telling myself the same thing.
Enlightenment is often born from darkness.
Ok that's kind of heavy but you know what I mean, yes?

I am also thinking that I should work on posting one of my songs on the forum.
Get some feedback that perhaps will still further motivation.
That is actually rather frightening to me.

Dave

IK Obi
Kind of a personal question, but are you growing or helping someone else grow? When is the last time you've learned something new in your studio/music? New instrument, song, style and genre can really open things back up. Teaching does it as well as you're going back to the basics and rediscovering things. Never stop learning and growing. You'll find it takes care of a lot of these inspiration things.

I think the only growing I am doing is older Obi....
Very good points tho.
R U T
That would be my current location.
Thx for the tips.

So Craig, is the depth of a rut inversely proportional to its width?
Or does it just depend on how long your legs are?

I don't know but it sounds like perhaps you and I are a bit alike. I have a strong tendancy to take something simple and make it much more difficult and complex than it ever should be. Like Spacey, I tried for years to get software and hardware to do things it was not capable of doing and that I did not understand how to do if it was capable. Software and hardware are SO much better these days, you no longer have to mortgage your home to be able to afford something that works... still, I have to make a concious effort to keep it simple. Most of the time I think it is really true that "less is more"... first takes usually have the most passion and I don't need all the effects and extra tracks etc that I think I do. Sometimes just a vocal and an acoustic guitar or piano track do it all.
I used to get so frustrated that I would stop, do something else for a while, forget everything I learned, then do it all over again... always frustrated.
My greatest joy in music has always been playing and singing or just playing along with some song or track. I go through times when many songs seem to come, other times the well is dry. My recording began as a way to try and capture my songs and I know exactly what you mean... it can take all the joy away from what you love.
My advice, FWIW, would be to keep it simple and stay in your comfort zone. Collaborate if you think you need to add an instrument or need help with mixing or mastering or whatever is frustrating you. Just take a deep breath, step back and take a look at the big picture again.
 
J