Monday 30 May 2011

How To Make Music.

Don't assume my titles to posts "Do what it says on the tin" however there obviously can never be a straight-forward answer to such a statement. Then again, I have the habit of posing myself impossible questions and getting frustrated so thinking of ideas toward filming helps. In some ways I can imagine that music would be a strong persistent hobby of mine yet my main focus is on filming. I've just been into it longer.

Inspiration.
Through every musician, they have a door to what made them progress, and that door is another musician who's work inspires oneself in such a way to just blatantly copy their style in a way to make them feel cool or some may have just had their ears opened up to what capability they have to creating a sound. Personally, I feel the music that captured the essence of my creativity would be that of James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and Joseph Mount of Metronomy. Their music shines to me on a level that I can connect with my sporadic and emotive personality. Mercurial qualities are something I value to the extent of making something that makes another say "wow" or "that is cool".

Getting Ideas.
My initial method of thinking of a tune is to not try at all and not be afraid of what your idea sounds like. Slight repetition to a small tune you thought of on the bus with a quirky base line to carry it can go a long way. It all depends on how much you milk the creative cow. My principal of not trying is to collect sounds throughout the day subconsciously which easy. You don't do anything basically, and to then think of what could sound cool, think of a note, a beat, and develop it into a simple tune. People at first can never ever understand how many layers and instruments were used in a recording because the composer simply does the same thing. Experiments.

Other People.
Now, this all depends on whether you're a person who wants to make music you like which is quite a charming and personal thing to do, or to 'satisfy the customers'. Best method, make it for yourself because that way you create tunes you yourself are audibly comfortable with and plus if you discover others who like it then you have effectively discovered the ideal customer.

When I came up with a tune I named Uneasy Listening which consisted of a simple beat, keyboard and electric guitar, I liked it at first but realised that I could perfect it or re-master it. This process is simply to tidy things up in a track to make it seem more structured and more enjoyable to present to others. My main concept of making a song is to use a wide variety of instruments that can sort of define your genre as it were, or just because you find a song amusing or funky. Simplicity in a song can be a good way to make something catchy but also disastrously annoying.

I will take my leave now but shall leave you with a song by Joseph Mount's Metronomy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co-zVHbmxkw

Over and Out.
Ollie McMillan.