Noob tips - things I wish I'd known....

[Lite_Rock_FM]

If you disassociate yourself from many known musical quantities then surely there is the possibility of creating something new and exciting?

That possibility exists, but the much more common result is that you'll end up starting at an extremely basic level and making very banal music. The fact is that musical innovation builds on prior innovations and is not created in a vacuum.

I've known tons of composers who all thought they were some kind of brilliant revolutionary because they came up with the idea of discarding theory and "following their feelings" - to a one they all apparently had lame and predictable feelings, because their music was and is lame and predictable.

The composers/songwriters I've known who make exciting new music are the ones that get excited about a piece of music that someone else has written, and who do a deep dive into that music and understand what makes it tick. Depending on what kind of music we're talking about, that may have to do with theory & orchestration, or it may have to do with feel and rhythm, or it may have to do with sound design and timbre. In all cases, carefully examining good music is the key to making good music yourself.

[apeboy]

wish I learned to play a skin drum years ago

I am trying to learn now, and it is already giving me a much better perspective on programing beats, just at my age now I dont have much time for it, its all about work

[Heskin Radiophonic]

Things I wished I'd known:

1. Don't read too many technical manuals or you'll get too sucked into the science of compression ratios or filter settings etc. If it sounds good, it sounds good and leave it.

2. Have as diverse a record collection as possible. It is your inspiration.

3. Learn quickly how to know when a song is "finished".

4. Limit yourself. Don't spend an evening trying to find the "right" snare sample. Just find a couple that sound good, mix them together and see what it sounds like.

[thereformant]

i still wish i saved more frequently

[dissonance_is_bliss]

i second noizesurge's assertions.

but, back on to topic, i wish i had known that i would even be interested in making computer music. i would have started differently.

[jac79dj]

i wish i had known when to stop polishing a turd and just accept that the tune is shit!

[DeviousESimian]

I wish I'd realised how easy it is to record audio in FL Studio and not bothered with Sonar.

[blueacid]

Hi:Nemmo You are Right about making dance and Trance music.
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You don't need a college music degree or know how to read sheet music.
It's all about artistic, encourage, discovery, and passion. And a little talent.
1-Armin van Buuren chose to pursue his career as a professional musician despite the promise of a career in law in his native country of the Netherlands, where his law degree was completed in 2004.
2-Paul van Dyk - started as a DJ in March 1991
3-Paul Oakenfold- started as a DJ-is known to have struggled with dyslexia as a child.
4-Sasha- A local DJ at a club Sasha frequented announced that he was looking for other DJs to travel with him on a regional tour. Sasha volunteered, and made his first live appearance in nearby Stockport. Sasha recalled of his debut, "I'd never even touched a Technics: I thought the pitch control was the volume, I didn't even know where to plug my headphones in! I'm sure I was absolutely horrendous.

Now I will say that Armin van Buuren has stated he has professional songwriters and other degreed musicians that now help him achieve higher quality music he produces But that should not discourage you from thinking you cannot be the best with your type of music.

I wish I discovered trance music when it started, and DAW.

[JUKE179r]

I wish I had more free time to actually sit down and make some songs.

[jalapeno]

Originally Posted by vespa

If you are insecure and feel as if you don't know anything, you are on the right track. It's all about artistic courage and discovery.

Great advice.

And although not "Tech" per se, I wish I knew you will never know how to play the guitar. This realisation came to me watching a Mike Stern DVD - he still practises 3 hours/day AND goes to lessons regularly. Heard this from other teachers too, and I now believe it.