Process(es)
If you’re like me, sometimes in an interview or even another musician buddy will ask you about your songwriting process. I always have to get clarification. Which process do they want me to talk about?
Pokemon.
I don’t use the same process from one song to the next, for one. That’s a big part of my process right there. There’s loads of them, I wanna’ try them all.
I write different styles of music and the process is different for each of them. Lyrics change the process too.
It isn’t about right and wrong.
There’s a lot of emphasis on process. But there shouldn’t be. Recorded music should vibe coming out of a speaker. Whatever process employed to make it sound great, it’s a good one. End of story.
True story:
I paid money to go to a mixing seminar years ago. The first thing they said to the class was “you are already doing it right.” Then we broke off into groups and learned from each other mostly. I was mad I didn’t get handed the keys to the universe. But I did learn a lot and make a friend. So.
Start by changing parameters, if you want.
I really don’t like it when folks insist on a particular process and talk about it on YouTube like a be-all-end-all. There’s lots of processes. Would you like a song to sound different than your others? I’d consider a new process.
I change everything from DAW to instruments, from location to equipment, people involved, genre.. I’ve even broken out my digital recorder just to give myself fun restrictions. Done songs with a SM 58 and iPad just to see. I’m not attached to a process. I’m attached to making different vibes.
In collaboration, flexibility helps.
This helps a lot in collaboration. People are different and do things differently. I’ve found that by changing up process frequently, I adapt to other peoples’ styles quickly.
I’ve recorded in all analog studios, and I mix out of the box at home. Flexibility and adaptability are good. I always used to say, I’ve worked with folks from 17-72 and age has nothing to do with a good studio session. It’s elasticity in the brain. Switching around processes helps this elastic property. It’s not dependent on age, it depends on flexibility.
Advice that was actually useful for me.
If you’re out there reading this and you happen to want to make something different than your other somethings, try messing with how you make it. I have found this to be useful advice.
Songwriting is part craft, part art. Your process is your process, they say. But I say switch it up if it sounds fun, maybe even if it doesn’t. Your process doesn’t have to be the same for each song. In fact, I’d be willing to wager the process should evolve. That doesn’t usually happen on accident. It takes making decisions. That’s the fun part!
Return to home.
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