Amateur composers worry about the wrong things

Over the years, I've tried try to skip some important steps in the process of writing music. Here are a few things I still have to remind myself from time to time.
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[@JamesonNathanJones]

Here are some of my favorite composition concepts that have helped me make music over the last couple decades: bit.ly/FREEcompositionguide

[@capriciouswhitenoise5397]

Please don’t ever underestimate the importance and utility of these topics and videos for those of us “out here” trying to develop our technique while grappling with these various concepts. Your generous contributions are very much appreciated. Cheers

[@neffix6976]

You do one thing, then another one, then another one.... And at some point you ask yourself....how the fuck did i make all of that?

[@samuelivascu7633]

Precisely

[@mrpzak]

Spot on

[@WesHartgrove]

Your advice is consistently grounded and never flashy, which is what keeps me coming back. Thanks!

[@WesHartgrove]

Also, I've been listening to Signals a lot lately, and it's wonderful.

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Thanks so much!

[@xtaltheo170]

So how do I successfully change the key on my fire ass sick ass trap beat? Please, let me know, thank you

[@jloiben12]

Question: How do I [insert compositional idea]? Answer: In whatever way sounds good for the music you are writing.

[@drdca8263]

Suppose, not knowing what I’m doing, I try something, and it seems to have some properties I kinda like a little, but also something that seems to me to be unsatisfactory, but I don’t know how to fix. What do I do? I don’t know how to make it sound good to me. I’m not a musician or an artist, and I don’t really mind if what I produce sounds generic or unoriginal, as it is just like, background music for another project, and just needs to be serviceable and not “wrong”. (More concretely, one of my issues I think is with the rhythm and fitting into measures?)

[@remyvegamedia]

Absolutely, definitely, completely if someone wants to make music they should learn how to play an instrument. I neglected that for the majority of my time trying to produce hip-hop and electronic music. Everything changed when I committed myself to becoming a jazz pianist. I ended up playing r&b and gospel 99% of the time but what I learned has been invaluable. I do have a hard time committing to compositions still, though.

[@mr.nobody2244]

Learning an instrument is the key point here and good advice. Personally I found composing on guitar way more intuitive and easier than on Piano. But in the end it depends what kind of music one wants to compose.

[@MrKrisstain]

comPOSER ❤

[@JamesonNathanJones]

comPOSTER

[@Vegan_Kebab_In_My_Hand]

compost 🧑‍🌾

[@jimmythebold589]

thanks for the standard notation. it's my main way of intellectually relating to music theory, composed or improvised,

[@link1day]

It's helpful to write things down.

[@francistomalik]

How is it possible that this channel did not go viral yet..? 😅

[@caruby6969]

I drop in and out of so many similar videos, tutorials etc. and comment rarely. I want to say this though ... Thank you for all the information here, but also, thank you for carrying it with such a nice personality. It really comes across, and in these crazy times it is so refreshing to find resources which are enhanced by that refreshing balance of masculine sensitivity, and wisdom. So thank you 😉

[@future62]

Great content as always. I think a lot of people jump to theory in the hopes that it lets them avoid doing work and making decisions.

[@JamesonNathanJones]

It definitely feels more formulaic. Our brains like to latch onto things we can quantify.

[@bennethos]

Couldn’t agree more on emotion and listening to favourite pieces , you can easily have it analyzed by ai today to get the chords and put them in a circle of fifths to analyze the movement

[@andycordy5190]

A common thread to many of these questions is the terror of the blank canvas, to which you have referred in previous videos. The answer lies through the process of doing. Make and refine is momentum. Ponder and don't make anything is self defeating. Your maxim " Now go away and make something!" Works for me every time. I work in many media, there's always something that needs doing because I get twitchy if I'm not making something. Often I resolve a sticking point with one project while plodding on with a different piece of work. I call it downtime processing. Innocence is a magical thing. If you've never been exposed to an orthodox approach to a technique it is much easier to fool around with it, there are ways, perhaps through meditation, to let go our experience and regain that freshness but the fierce control that training exerts over creativity is not easy to dispel. Competency is of great value, don't nget me wrong but working through competency back to fresh approaches can be a long road. This video illustrates something relatable: the vlogger creates something really exciting and then introduces a convention which destroys his uniquely personal statement 😢 Sorry about all the edits here. I'm a messy worker❤️

[@waltersir7306]

This is a great and moving story. I go over some of these issues in chapter 3 of my new book “We’ve got Issues.” We’ll be right back

[@JamesonNathanJones]

And now, a word from our sponsors...

[@remyvegamedia]

"We're gonna keep it right here..." If you know, you know... Hahaha

[@per3974]

Leaving a comment to boost the channel, good quality content, thank you.

[@JamesonNathanJones]

The algorithm and I thank you for your service :)

[@eyvindjr]

Great video! I think it must be mentioned that variations can be more interesting in a composition than the core idea. I believe some great masters could make a masterpiece out of any stupid short motif.

[@6Litz_]

Loving the direction you're going with the channel! Thank you

[@vraalten]

Good one! Composing, sound design and playing are about discovery, experimenting and just go with what resonates! Music is all about frequencies and resonance. Beautiful what you mentioned about wanting to hear a specific part again. For me, that is all about the recognition of what is true for you. And not to forget, have a lot of fun! Keep up the great work, it is much needed!

[@JayM928]

Great, great video, sir! 👍👍 13:25 Forgive my ignorance, but when you refer to your proficiency on the keyboard, do you mean performance proficiency? Eg, traditional piano lessons/learning?

[@cubicinfinity]

In stead of worrying about if your last piece was good enough, move forward.

[@half-arsedmusic]

"how do I pick a time signature?" is an interesting one. Usually the music decides that - unless you're specifically looking to explore a particular time signature.

[@horrorcomposer]

Really needed this today

[@stevekudlo1464]

I think classical guitar might be a strong second for a composer. Thanks for the video! I’ve been an amateur composer for about 40 years, and I love peoples reactions to something new. I had the equivalent to four years of undergraduate theory, but I still like to crack open the books occasionally. 😅

[@arkhamreader]

Beautiful music!

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Thank you!

[@tims.2832]

Convincing. Obviously we can sometimes find an unboxing of good thoughts and precious experience on this platform too.

[@paperwings8673]

Just leaving a comment for the algorithm. Thank you for all the valuable lessons.

[@RinkyDink-7]

What a beautiful composition example! 💯❤️🖖🏼🔥

[@thefoxisblak]

Crating with intention is one of the hardest things to learn. I'm hoping it eventually clicks.

[@synth-eticfantasies5683]

Another one of a kind video that's informative and very helpful!!! You would be a Great teacher!

[@jbast7160]

9:20 Please tell me I can listen to this piece somewhere.. it's so good!!

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Good morning, What is your favorite orchestral plugin/s?? From romplers to DSP? Perhaps you could make a video on the subject?? That’d 🤟 thanks

[@michaelkennedy1136]

Just discovered your channel these days and I already subscribed. Very good quality content.

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Thanks, and welcome!

[@EddyLoonstijn]

I totally do agree that some questions are stupid. However, what is more important is to acknowledge that the order in which these questions are being asked is what counts. If you don’t know the moods and the mood changes and developments over time that you want to communicate then questions about key, tempo, dynamics, instrument choice, form, etcetera have no meaning. The moment you have decided the basics these questions start to get musical strategic meaning. Furthermore, just doing what you ‘feel’ seems to be okay until you realize that ‘feeling’ also implies some musical choice or another, however without being conscious of these choices. Better becoming aware of the choices you are accustomed to make (unconsciously) so you will become aware of the limitations of this habit. Only then you can broaden your creative scope.

[@edwinbrown9951]

Thank you.

[@BorkBork94]

Thank you for another inspiring and informative video, really enjoy the pacing and the style you've developed. Learning lots from these videos, they especially get me thinking about the creation of music in different ways.

[@brugada3272]

Great content. Already took your course. Highly recommended!

[@amado7760]

nice James, thank you.

[@stossbeats]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. ❤

[@rrxdeadman]

As always. Awesome

[@gumbilicious1]

I am not a composer, I just write music I like. Almost every piece I write starts with some idea, whether another song inspired it or I am playing with an idea from music theory. I play around with the idea and get other parts, very simple parts, then I pervert them and change them and vary them. Many ideas don’t work, move on to other ideas. Don’t commit to anything as much as continually develop and play with the idea It is not uncommon for me to end up with variations of the song. Often times I need to throw things out to make the idea more concise. Many times the parts I throw out become other songs. Very rarely does raw motivations like “when do I change key”, instead I hear that something wants to change and I try stuff, often times I have to figure out what I did later to refine the idea

[@brianbergmusic5288]

I would not call myself a composer, but I sometimes wish that I was (as in: I admire the results of veteran composers who are power-users of instruments/orchestral libraries). Composition is a lot of decision making that is technical. Modulation is merely one of many tools in the composer's toolbox to accomplish various goals. Doing everything (mastering several styles, maintain virtuosity, perform, compose, make a living) is probably not possible even if someone was granted immortality. If we are not limited by mortality, we are then limited by locality, limited experience, relational connection, the tides of history, and the very finite hours of daylight. 100% agreement with getting *proficient* at a physical instrument. A keyboard, a guitar, a woodwind instrument -- any of said choices will also add an organic element to your craft that will become much more needed in a world oversaturated in what is ...[cough]... artificial. Yes, there are success stories where someone became a brilliant producer/composer without taking up an instrument. However, the only reason I still pursue any interest in music today is because I took a break from a DAW to learn a physical instrument -- that new instrument returned the wind to my sails. Therefore, I can personally attest to this advice being very meaningful.

[@jloiben12]

I never understood the “but I don’t want to copy someone else, I want to be original” bit. Do you make music using anything that has any form of digital components to it? Do you use software or upload your music to any digital platform? Do you start by working through the science of Von Neumann? No. Of course you don’t. Because there is no need to start from literal scratch. The science of Von Neumann is essential to every modern element of music. Yet most people don’t even know who he is, let alone his contributions. Because building off those who come before is a good thing. Reinventing the wheel every time is outrageously dumb

[@GizzyDillespee]

Being original is very easy - learn how to play a musical instrument without learning any cover songs or signature licks, and don't focus too much on standard vocabulary in any particular style. It's good to feel the rhythms and accents of many styles, but learn the instrument, and play it for a while, before concentrating on those things. I think not so many people want to be original, maybe? More like, some genre or artist, but better. Which, I think, is harder than being completely original.

[@jloiben12]

@@GizzyDillespee And when you inevitably end up spending months to get to the exact same point a 10 minute Google search gets you… The problem you seem to not be able to understand is that there isn’t really anything “original.” You can always trace the precedents. There is nothing that just appears. Originalism in music is a faux idea

[@tumpperi3891]

People who are being "original" still copy artists they like subconciously. We all aspire to make music like X and Y and putting our own twist into it.

[@MrPete0282]

Dunning-Kruger effect all over the place, some say they don't study classical music or music theory in order to have their own sound ... like saying u won't learn any math in order to build a new calculus. Can u find any worthy piece or literature from writers who never read anything...? Cancel culture in all it's glory.

[@bricelory9534]

Great lessons, thoughts, and reminders. Helpful perspectives!

[@rainbow_mess]

this is all really great info, thanks for making this video :)

[@GizzyDillespee]

Good advice and examples, IMO.

[@LouisSerieusement]

thank you for sharing 👌

[@karl.weaver]

Thanks

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Thanks Karl!

[@knopfir]

by the way, i HAVE to know what piano you use. the one we hear during 4:15 and 8:50 and whatnot. that sound is AMAZING

[@312dasbkilla]

I would buy sheet music books of artists that I would sample. Especially anything Motown and various Pink Floyd sounds Learned the bass lines and melodies. So when I flipped the sample I would know the music behind it and make it my own.

[@zionfortuna]

0:35 "Well, Bach and Mozart for some reason cared..."

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Because they were working within the confines of Functional Harmony in the Common Practice Period. They were incredibly effective at it, but in Non-functional Harmony this is not a concern.

[@zionfortuna]

@@JamesonNathanJones True, but don't you there could be an audible reason for that choice? I've seen multiple explanations for this, such as the nature of well temperament and even Schenker's idea of an "underlying I chord". That said, yeah, you are correct in saying there is no good reason for use to care nowadays.

[@cuervacho]

Wow, this is great! Thanks for this video. I agree with how being proficient in the keyboard is a great asset. I started as a guitar player, only went through the moves, played quite alright but never understanding what I was doing. Much later I took up the piano on my own and, yes, even though I play more difficult things on guitar I feel at such ease improvising on the piano because I'm understanding -very little, but still-what I'm doing. However I become clinically paralyzed when trying to compose; I simply can't (but I know I ACTUALLY can). Can someone provide some pointers? Maybe there are some workshops where the responsibility of doing something every week/month pushes you out of this stasis? Some step-by-step program to kick you out of that rut? Any help is appreciated :)

[@bri9498]

Sometimes I wish I would just love painting more than making music if it comes down to the philosophical discussion about things...

[@Lemontree1423]

That's literally what contemporary art is all about. Keep painting. Just...please... don't ask how to mix a skin color.

[@bmatt2626]

I just use chromatic and tied 128th notes for everything so I can watch more TV.

[@gatergates8813]

When the notes have more beams than the staff has lines lol

[@karl.weaver]

My mind with a second beard!

[@rasm0225]

Have you heard "Pleiades Dances" by Yoshimatsu? Your piano piece at 9:00 reminds me of that. I bet you'd like it.

[@ipoponq]

Do you also mix music on your own?

[@pixelbender5897]

didn't get my ebook when i entered my email address, something special i need to do? thanks (not in my spam folder either)

[@swanofnutella4734]

I feel like intuition and time noodling has taken me very far, except key modulation. That's where I wish I had some theory. Also - without formal know-how, that distilling thing you discuss can be difficult. - build something complex. Try again. Oh wait, there's something cool here. Now, how do I break this down into it's core parts without destroying what makes it cool? With theory I feel like that game of jenga goes a little smoother. Anyways. I always appreciate your content. Hope all is well. cheers.

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

I was like this. What key should my music been in? Then you realize this is stupid.

[@zenithpinch]

Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, Francis Poulenc and Sergei Prokofiev. did I miss any?

[@JamesonNathanJones]

I think those were all the ones I referenced in this video. Hell of a lineup.

[@JeffHendricks]

Something I'm learning is that beginner composers need to improve their listening skills. "What distinguishes Chopin as a composer?" "I don't know... tinkly soft piano?" They need to learn how to listen on multiple levels. (Preaching to myself)

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Absolutely. Copland wrote a great book on the subject appropriately titled, "What to Listen for in Music."

[@JeffHendricks]

@@JamesonNathanJones Too many producers listening solely for sound design, and skip right over the whole composition process.

[@melsplaining4156]

How do I manage my files

[@googlekopfkind]

4:30 tf is that whole thing. I thought you are a composer lol