Can't Finish Music? You Need To Do THIS!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Have any tips on finishing music? Whether it's a mindset thing or an action you take, any insight is appreciated!

[@benafsharmusic]

Im 34 and producing music since 15 ! And im just starting to release my work because i had this problem and another problem that it was choosing my sound and genre as an artist! Still searching for that specially in house music i love producing deep tech minimal and I cannot make a fake character that is for example known for his tech hosue or specific genre! i even started uploading my hiphop beats on beat stars! I have more than 1200 unfinished tracks and i like them all! But i realized no one really knows and cares about the decisions! Nobody would say why didnt you use a different clap! 😂the decision are just in your head , Sometimes for example I’m on the saved as 12th version of the track and saying thank god i didn’t release this song its reached another level! And sometimes its the opposite i go back to the version 1 and realize that was the best one! But at the end nobody has heard or knows about my other versions so it doesn’t make a difference for any one where i stop and release! The same in mixing people who listen to music don’t realize and don’t care about the little mixing decisions you make ! Don’t rush and dont ocd on the track just make a balance and release and move on

[@zoharkiaav]

Cultivate discipline and drop all expectations. I'm only saying in this because I'm practicing it and so far it is working.

[@CRayBeats]

Yeah, reference.. Thanks for addressing the issue I had..

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@benafsharmusic I often get stuck at the most initial thoughts of "what genre? what style? What feel?" You're right about those micro details. Of course they matter but they shouldn't be allowed to pile up until a song is never finished! Thanks for sharing!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@zoharkiaav Rely on discipline!

[@GilBeloGil]

"Here's something about music". Proceeds to give incredibly valuable life advice.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

🤣It's all connected!

[@hypersztoss3731]

I feel like this isn't even about music. This is legitimately solid advice for being happier in general.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I agree! Music is only one of the many places it applies.

[@kambinoxwins]

By the buffet analogy I came to the same conclusion.

[@davidcooke779]

Reminds me of the wisdom in “The Frugal Hedonist”

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@davidcooke779 I've never heard of it, but I will check it out! Thanks!

[@oharasean]

The music works on you dawg

[@happyatticus2966]

Rembrandt had the idea that a piece of art has no end and you (the artist) have to know when to stop. Good video

[@BrianFunkMusic]

It's good to know even the greats were challenged with this stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@bad_robot]

This got way more philosophical than I expected 😂 thank you

[@BrianFunkMusic]

My pleasure!

[@Briansongman]

To paraphrase: “There is the IDEAL version and there is the functional version we actually work with in physical reality.” This is a powerful concept. This is freeing and angst eliminating.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Nicely put!

[@impolitikful]

That is actually the synopsis of the book “zen mind beginners mind”

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@impolitikful That sounds like a title of a book I would like. Thanks!

[@impolitikful]

@@BrianFunkMusic I think you would!

[@MarsCapone]

I think it’s Rick Rubin that says you’re never truly finished and you’ll never reach your original ideal. You can only leave each song in an “interesting place”. Also very freeing

[@vooveks]

The amount of times I’ve started something, it sounds good, and then I get to tweaking it and end up with something completely different, losing the vibe of the original completely. Rinse and repeat. Great video, thanks for reminding us of all these things that stop us creating music. 🙂

[@BrianFunkMusic]

You are not alone :) It's challenging but that's why there's glory in finishing a song!

[@bimmian328]

As a perfectionist, I needed this. The struggle of commitment is real

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Perfectionism is a ticket to failure and frustration. We should strive to become Imperfectionists! I completely understand the struggle. I deal with it every single time!

[@frallorfrallor3410]

if you cannot comit just render all to audio if it dosnt fit laiter on delete it

[@shdsky]

wow the timing of yotube recommending me this vid is insane, im literally at the crossroads of a arrangement decision in a track at the moment. sometimes simple examplary thoughts work better than any 'technical' advice

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Aww very happy to hear that! So much of making music is mental and philosophical! Best of luck with the project!

[@JacksonMade_Music]

I was actually trying to find more things to do and came across a reset button. This was good! Use what you have, and don’t overthink it!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching and the kind feedback. Looking for more things takes away from our appreciation of what we have! Have fun with what you got! Cheers!

[@vitaharvey5332]

Heck yeah, shout out to everyone who like me started recording on 4-track cassette.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

4-Track Cassette turned out to be some solid roots! 💪

[@ZenChillLounge-music]

Thank you!

[@felixfast4ward]

WOW!! !! Sermon !!

[@GrootsieTheDog]

This is spot on. I stopped using sequencers and routed all my synths into a sampler. Sampling was a paradigm shift. The process of making music became immediate and centered in the moment, concentrating on the execution. With sequencing, in the back of mind mind, im thinking I can always take out a note here and there, fix the timing, etc. With sampling...you have to be all in. You have to really commit. You’re doing a “take” in the classic sense. I really like the finality of a sample. Your capturing the performance. With sequencing the possibilities of editing are just mind numbingly and obsessively maddening. It changed everything for me. Metaphorically, I went from being a technical drawer, meticulously getting everything right to being a painter, blending colors and throwing paint on the canvas - blending improvisation, curiosity, and exploration with intention, planning, and purpose.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I love it! Great comparison with painting! I have found myself a bit stuck when sequencing synths with MIDI. Sometimes the best thing to do is just record those sequences to audio!

[@lukekharma8675]

If you know of Roni Size old school D&B producer he never used Sequencers, he used Akais for some timeless classics, and Liam Howlett only used Yamaha W7 and Akais to produce and perform Prodigy experience. I have often argue with myself whether to switch back to Synths with on board Sequencing.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@lukekharma8675 That's pretty awesome. I think there's room to do both! I like the simplicity though!

[@GrootsieTheDog]

@@lukekharma8675 Cool - Yeah those Yamaha synthesizer Workstations are really cool. My first synthesizer was the Yamaha SY 85. It’s still a pretty bad ass synth And used some of the same technology as the W7. The cool thing about the workstations from the 90s is that Instead of being step oriented, they were much more musically orientated in the sense that they went by measures so you were inclined to think more in musical terms of the different note values such as 16th notes, half notes, etc within a bar of music and not really thinking about steps so much.

[@lukekharma8675]

@@BrianFunkMusic I started using a Roland D 20 before I got my first Atari with Cubase.😁

[@Pazaluz]

"Great is the art of the beginning, but greater is the art of the ending." -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Nice!

[@formyeve]

I think that it's important for musicians to not get so wrapped up in their own expectations of what the track should or shouldn't sound like and instead allow the track to reveal itself. I'm not saying that this is always possible but it's important for musicians to incorporate these therapeutic music making sessions, where they allow themselves to explore, to discover, to make mistakes, break rules, and let loose. Sit down and start writing without having an end result envisioned in your mind, and just bask in the present moment of curiousity.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Well put! I agree 100%. Of course there are times when we have to get the work done, but staying open and being accepting of what happens is often where the magic is! Thanks for those wise words!

[@Peter-gu9ph]

I'm a big believer in letting a track reveal itself - letting it evolve organically into whatever it wants to be - this often leads to "happy accidents"...

[@bfdavdb]

“Art is never finished, only abandoned”

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Sometimes that’s the hardest part!

[@audiomon]

This is very well-explained pure modern-day philosophy! Thank you!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@dlxinfinite7098]

This one speaks to me, beyond music. Very Zen. I listen each evening. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

So happy to hear that :) Glad to have you aboard!!!

[@geet77777]

My "trick" is I view everything as a demo. I finish a song and then redo it. then it always seems like its getting better and so much is getting done. i realize if its god enough as a song, in its structure and basic message then someone in a bigger better studio will be willing to make it into its final form. makes everything go so fast and is so much fun.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

that's smart, I'm sure it relieves a lot of the pressure of getting something perfect and just getting the idea complete!

[@TrevyStore]

I often regret buying all my sample packs and plugins. As a drummer, Im am glad i only have 5 drums and a few symbals to work with. Keeps me focused on whats important and getting creative with it...Playing the drums well.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Well those plugins and samples taught you that valuable lesson. Sometimes it helps to see the value in things beyond their intended use and for what they teach us, even if it's that we don't need that kind of thing! Great point!!

[@emiliodumatol641]

Buffet analogy 👌👍🙏😎

[@BrianFunkMusic]

🌮🍔🍪 mmm :)

[@Benz-wz5ku]

What a pleasure to listen. This is pure wisdom which relates way deeper than only music. Great video!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

So happy you enjoyed it! Music can teach us a lot about life and vice versa!

[@danielandersson7515]

I really need this, gotta get this philosophy going! I should listen to this to start my day every time it's a day for music making.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching and I'm really happy it helps! Good luck on the journey!!!

[@HenningUhle]

There are a lot of good points in the video. The menu thing in the video is like those people who follow thousands of news accounts or news websites. It's the fear of missing out, widely known as FOMO. I was always hunting for news until I experienced burnout (not only caused by news, also some serious circumstances). I have cut out most of these interests and now follow the joy of missing out, known as JOMO. Music helped me with it. I came back to making music after 20 years during the pandemic. Now, I dare to release through SoundCloud. The tracks are normally not that what "high level producers" would call "perfect". But I make music for myself. If there are people enjoying my music, I am happy with it. So, I decided to get things done in terms of music. And this is a lot of fun.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's a great attitude! I think it probably comes through in your music too. There will be a spirit of fun and adventure. I love the idea of JOMO! In a sea of endless options, it makes what we choose special! Everything in our world is trying to claim our attention. So we really have to protect it. Thanks for your thoughtS!!

[@matthewcampbell9927]

This was amazing to listen to! As someone who plays music for a living but can never finish my own ideas this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you so much I shall be sharing this with other like-minded people

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks Matthew, I appreciate you telling friends :) Best of luck!

[@artkitectbeats1622]

Dude you killed it. That was phenomenal. This was exactly what I needed to hear at the exact moment I needed to hear it. Thank you sooo much man. Im absolutely subscribing. Peace.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's great to hear! Thanks for coming along on the journey!

[@POINDXTRMUSIC]

Very wise, so helpful. This is why it is soo important to start with something inspiring instead of the “drums first, bass second, synth third” mentality you mentioned. Applying your own unique approach to a new problem is how great art is made.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad you liked it! It's tough, but it's all about moving forward!

[@herodes6304]

this is the best advice i've ever heard on the internet and about music in general. thank u so much i needed this!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

So happy to hear that! Thanks for watching and good luck!! :)

[@BIONDIEST]

Music is turning into life lessons. I've always felt that if you could understand everything about sound and music you would understand the world

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I think it has helped me be a better person!

[@BIONDIEST]

@Music Production w/ Brian Funk I'm not religious but in the beginning, they say God created the world by speaking it into existence. Creation is one of the most valuable things we have and sound can be very powerful. I thought that was pretty cool. So many lessons. Now if I could just learn my daw lol.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@BIONDIEST 🤣True! It won't take an act of God to learn a DAW! Just lots of time and trial and error!

[@jenshaeckl]

option paralysis drives me crazy, this is the reason why almost all my equipment is stored in the attic. The choice of guitar amp plugins alone is stealing hours I could have spent recording but you sit around forever comparing plugins and their options and suddenly the day has passed without really working on a song. I'm at my most creative and productive when I have the least options. 1 guitar, 1 DAW, 1 guitar plugin, 1 drumset, 1 electric bass.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I agree 100%! Too much to think about besides actually making music!

[@marcostrous5927]

dude i’m actually crying how much this has touched me in the feels - thank you i needed to hear this

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad to hear it. I hope it inspires something great!

[@SirMaski]

A bad execution on a good idea is also much better than a good idea with no execution. You learn from trying, and you can always reuse certain ideas in brand new original ways.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

So true!

[@minstinct280]

The best restaurants don't have a ten page food menu. Simplify, cut things down, impose limits......& use the 80/20 rule. Top video!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Happy you enjoyed it and great point about the menus. I've always been a little suspicious of a restaurant that offers everything from oatmeal and scrambled eggs to lobster and filet mignon!

[@hadookin47]

Made me look within myself as a musician, I've been trying to struggle less with perfectionism and decision paralysis. Thank you for the tips!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Perfect is the enemy of good. Better to be done than never finish

[@EncounterCaneCorso]

Agreed..So many good points. Done is better than perfect.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks!

[@Imperceptible_parachute]

Thank you. So true. I am more productive when I have fewer plugins and related tools to work with!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Me too! More stuff usually means less music for me!

[@thehightenor2596]

This issue is really about working alone. Most professional artists work in large teams. There might for example be 20 people involved in making an album and this allows there to be up to as many as 40 different versions of each song on the go at the same time, exploring many different arrangement versions and then settling on near perfection. There’s a reason top commercial albums sound so amazing! They’re made by teams of people not one person sat in one room alone.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's why it's important not to compare a brand new baby idea to the music of your favorite artists. Of course we can get great results at home, but it takes time and if we judge our ideas too early, it's likely we will find some shortcomings and potentially lose our momentum.

[@thehightenor2596]

Yes, you can produce great results at home, but it takes a great deal of time longer than working in a team. It’s during that mountain to climb that people fall along the path. I have developed the necessary discipline to work through to the end, one still has to explore the myriad of possibilities if one it to express a piece in it’s truest form - to travel the road less travelled so to speak, there’s no shortcuts to greatness. But the results are so worth it if you can see the process through to the finish :)

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@thehightenor2596 Nicely said! The challenge is what makes greatness great!

[@adrianmccombe625]

Finish what you start! Constantly reminding myself of this. One milestone at a time.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

One thing at a time!

[@_maschine]

Getting DEEP. Best time I've spent on KZbin in a long time 🤝

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad to hear it! Thanks Austin!

[@oddocop]

Great video about creativity and mindset and philosophy. It was really inspirational in regards to creating your own work, with your own originality and personal touch. Thank you!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. All the best!

[@denohmwas]

This is so my life now! I needed to hear this.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@ryanmichael7097]

Great restaurant food analogy, YES!!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

:) 🍔

[@TheSillybits]

Very inspiring, thank you very much! In the back of my mind I always have this hope on meeting someone who will (“magically”) do all the things needed to make my music perfect, but that’s an illusion too, I just have to move on making new things and appreciate any limitations as a virtue. Again, thanks!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Yea, the musical wizard! Maybe one day! Thanks for watching and sharing that!

[@dttorres93]

I need to watch this every week

[@BrianFunkMusic]

🥰 This and other great stuff on this very channel!! Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgeArte]

man i needed to listen to that. thank you from Brazil!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Happy to hear the message made it down to you!! Thanks for watching and leaving your thoughts :)

[@warpacademy]

Nice video Brian! Thanks for creating this.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks, Drew!

[@outertoon]

This entire presentation is 100% directly applicable to painting as well as music. On another note, we’ve all suffered through movies where it’s obvious no one on the production team could commit.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Very true! Thanks for sharing!

[@daveyleeriot]

Watched this video 8 times already. This dude dropping some knowledge here. Learning to apply that knowledge is the real challenge

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching. And it's true. I understand this stuff intellectually, but I struggle with it every single time!! It never gets easy, so don't expect it to. The challenge makes it worth it!

[@timschannel247]

Nice video, aswell my example is like: You can recognize a good restaurant, if they only have less couple of different meals. We have to get away from that having all options open feeling. Thanks for this!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks! And yea I've noticed that too. I've gone to restaurants everyone is talking about, look at the menu, and say "That's it?!" But it's good to do a few things great than everything mediocre.

[@daniellanz1769]

String advice thanks

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@LoverSlayer]

Thank you

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@jony14x]

thank you!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

You're welcome!

[@elavd]

Thank you for this video. I am struggling with my "perfectionism" and the...ideal way that I imaging my music. But you are 101% correct to that. No one will care, or listen to all these unfinished tracks that we keep in our musical drawer. We have to get the work done. Lately, in order to limit my self of trying to search every possible sound etc and keep searching and searching (which gives me an excusion/alibi that this is the reason why I don't keep forward) I have decided to commit to a thought: That I have available 4-5 virtual musicians, with specific instruments: acoustic guitar, piano (1 sound), upright bass, mantolin, and trumpet. That's it. So I have to compose my instrumental music with the help of these "guys" only. I can't look for an exotic sound or a harp or an synth pad. Those are my only options. And although it seems quite limiting, in fact it made me more effective and creative! As a conclusion I have to say that I found this video EXTREMELY motivating and thank you for that!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I love that idea! It's what I have to do in my band! There's only 3 of us and we have to make it work with what we can do. It eliminates millions of decisions before they even need to be made. We have a solid idea of what we can and cannot do. When I work on my own stuff and in the DAW, I have unlimited options. I often find myself stuck before I even begin. Your idea is a great way around it. Thanks for sharing!!

[@elavd]

@@BrianFunkMusic I am glad that I could help you back, even a little :)

[@ericfulcher8316]

You, sir, just got another subscriber. Excellent reflections.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. I'm happy it helped! More to come!

[@jamesewanchook2276]

good Advice, cheers from Vancouver!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Cheers from New York!

[@dmreturns6485]

Very insightful. Well said.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I appreciate it and thanks for watching!

[@lucaspadini8223]

🙏thanks , really good talking

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it; thanks for listening!

[@chrishewitt97]

Old guy learns from the young guy. Pearls of wisdom. Thank you for the powerful insights.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

You're welcome and thanks for watching!! We all can learn from each other!

[@phil_helix1191]

Amazing advice man, thank you so much

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks :) I appreciate that you watched!!

[@blackoutlegendary]

You Are Absolutely Correct !

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Cheers! 🍻

[@SquizbarDeAlienOfficial]

Rewatching this video helped me finish my first album. The scariest thing is the feeling of the unknown. Will it be good enough? Could I mix and master it better? Should I have added or cut instruments and sounds? All those questions are always in the back of my mind. I just wanted to say thank you. This video really helped me realize that the album is done and I’m just procrastinating and I have to accept that the album will never be 100% perfect. Thank you! This video along with Venus Theory’s was the reality hit that I needed.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's amazing! Congratulations on finishing the album. It's no small feat! Very few people who begin in music production ever get to that point. It's an achievement well worth celebrating! I know all of those thoughts. They are part of the process! Please keep me posted on the release of the album, I want to hear it!

[@SquizbarDeAlienOfficial]

That means a lot to me. Thank you so much. I’m actually changing the release date to the 21st of October instead of the 29th since the album is ready ahead of schedule! Keep up the great content man. @@BrianFunkMusic

[@Alkatross]

Very inspiring. Choosing from the restaurant menu was a great metaphor

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!!

[@timurseliutin1663]

Bad idea with great execution matters more than a great idea with no execution. That is a good one. Thank you for the video!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching :)

[@LoserDub]

Wow so true, ill re open old songs i made and oftentimes im blown away at what i made, when at the time i didnt "finish" it because of the potential

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I have a lot of those. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised but also slightly let down at myself!

[@diegob6729]

This video is not just about finishing music it's also about life a bit philosophical 👌

[@BrianFunkMusic]

A lot of times I feel like when we are talking about music on this podcast we are just using it as a metaphor for life! Thanks for watching!

[@prodkrill]

Wow, great advice and great delivery my guy cheers

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Cheers! Thanks :)

[@vitaharvey5332]

Also, stop talking about me at around 2:45 point 😂 (Thanks for making this video!)

[@BrianFunkMusic]

lol you're welcome! I have to admit, not that I wish that problem on anyone else, but I'm glad I'm not alone either!

[@mintheuniverse]

Def needed this!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

:) Thanks for watching! It's not always easy to keep in mind!!

[@johncostigan6160]

I started recording in the 1970's on 4-track tape and when we finally got a digital delay, WOW! we gleefully committed that baby. Your advice comes exactly as I waste large amounts of time perfecting things needlessly. They don't get done! Thanks for your guidance, Brian. Folks, listen to the man!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I'm glad I had t start out with committing my effects to tape! It's just what you did! Thanks for watching and sharing that!

[@katecaballero9660]

Thank you I really needed this a great mindset

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Very happy to hear it! As much as I understand this stuff intellectually, I still have to actively practice it!

[@akeyunturned2256]

Not sure who you are as this video just presented itself to me, but it is spot on and just what I needed as I’m trying to finish up some tracks. I was going to investigate to see who you are and what other videos you have, but I simply liked, subscribed, rang the bell and closed the menu. Done. 😊Good stuff, thanks.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I'm really happy you enjoyed it! There's a mix of stuff here, but a lot of it is this kind of thing. Thanks for the supportive words!

[@Neek-VII]

dude, u are amazing.

[@annaivanova5958]

this has been super helpful!!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Nice! Very happy to hear it. Thanks for watching!

[@danjwalker]

A philosopher once said "We are condemned to choice".

[@BrianFunkMusic]

It often is a condemnation!

[@ron66be]

thank you for this explanation that I've been struggling with for a long time and apparently I'm not alone. as they say "it is no matter what one does, you always meet yourself somewhere"

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Yep, wherever you go, there you are! Thanks for watching!

[@connerberry3996]

I’m so thankful for this video popping up on my recommended. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been so frustrated with music taking forever and not sounding exactly how I pictured, but I now realize that these limitations are what make me unique. Thank you so much for giving me this clarity, I can see a much more enjoyable path ahead of my music from now on.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That makes my day. I think our work is usually an approximation of what we imagine it to be. And that's kind of the fun too. Sometimes there are some great surprises we could never create intentionally. It's fun to go with the surprise. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!!

[@ViktorNova]

I really needed to hear this, thank you

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Very happy it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@devinalexander7415]

I felt myself stuck on a song the last few weeks and listening to other songs to have an idea of where to go. I think that wasn't the right decision. The song can develop naturally if I just trust where it's going. I can now go back to the first few drafts and see where it naturally goes from there, rather than force an outcome from analyzing it too much.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Sometimes it helps to listen to other tracks and somethings, especially if the idea is strong and developed, it's better to move forward undistracted!

[@starec9]

My boyfriend sent me this video to just share how he absolutely loved this advice and I was blown away. Really intelligent person that even made me feel empowered. I don’t produce music but I sure love music and also agree how you get stuck at a crossroads and just trust that the path you chose was the best and move forward with it. Love it! Thank you! Really also helped my BF think differently regarding music production. 12/10 video ❤❤❤❤

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for taking the time to leave this comment! Sometimes when things get a little philosophical here, I think music is just a metaphor for life. The things that work in music often work in other aspects of our lives. It's great to hear that the ideas resonate with someone isn't producing music :) All the best to you!!

[@fakshen1973]

I have to disagree a little. Having the ability to save a copy of my work opens up a lot of creativity, removes the anxiety from decision making, and allows me to finish music. There's always a cross-road where there is a paralysis. To explore a possibilty could lead to sonic garbage. Being able to go back allows me to move forward.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That’s a great point and it’s the reason why we have embraced the options and the safety nets. If we can use them responsibly then they are great. It’s only when we get caught up in never committing that we run into problems. At the end of the day, I am glad we have the options. It really is the best time to make music ever! I just have to remember to be careful with all that power!

[@spectre.garden]

Referring to minute 12 - It's not the greatness/quantity/depth-of-control of the tools that is the problem - the problem is maintaining focus or controlling ourselves. I get pretty tired of people trying to say that a specific tool is too complicated or too detailed - that is a good thing - not being able to manage ourselves is the pivot point.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's true; we are really dealing with our minds. We can make better choices with more options. The problem is we get caught up in spending too much time making decisions. For me, the pull of simpler tools with less depth is that the decisions don't even need to be made. To refer to the restaurant metaphor in the video, I put much less mental energy into an order when there are 3 options. Give me 100 options and I will get closer to a meal I really want. The cost is I labor over the decision longer. In a restaurant, that's the only decision I need to make. But in music production, every little decision, of which there are thousands in every project, can't be labored over if we hope to get any work finished. So in those cases we have to rely on discipline and managing ourselves, as you said! Thanks for your thoughts!

[@justinjones2595]

Excellent advice Reminds of this great book called Paradox of Choice

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Yea I love that book. It is definitely an influence!

[@justinjones2595]

@@BrianFunkMusic still am fighting myself to stop buying gear, (which I am doing better at) but the even harder task is parting with stuff I already own (thinning out those choices). Crazy how we have emotional attachments to these "things"

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@justinjones2595 Yea I'm the same way. I want every new thing that comes out. I've learned a million times that it will never be the thing that makes me great. You can't buy that! I have a few things I should probably get rid of too. I think Marie Kondo's book helps a lot with letting go of things. You thank it for its service and then send it off to a new life!

[@JamesNova]

I even forgot he was talking about music. Goddamn

[@BrianFunkMusic]

A lot of times it feels like music becomes the metaphor for life in general. Those are my favorite conversations I have on the Music Production Podcast!

[@kipkopkikopog]

Man.. the moment you brought in Plato, you completely grabbed my attention and won me over.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Could you imagine saying something that people still think about thousands of years later!? Glad you liked that part!

[@ewanm8995]

Brilliant video, thank you for this!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks :) I'm really happy you enjoyed it!

[@allancerf9038]

Brian, I realized these self-limitations we should impose, shortly after you may have stopped using your cassette recorder! And I’m so concerned about the damage digital indecision can create in all aspects of life, I stopped what I was doing to listen deeply to this video. The best of your videos I’ve seen by a mile - mind you, I’ve only seen some. Your message is critical - many thanks for it. I used to call it the two-lifetime rule. If I had 160 years guaranteed instead of MAYBE 80, I’d choose to do everything. Your restaurant analogy is perfect. While I think most people understand a bucket list inverse from you, that is, a bucket list is designed to eliminate undesired choices, either interpretation works. Your POINT is what matters. And I said and still say literally, the same words as you- “you can’t do everything.” While I don’t particularly procrastinate, I over-audition sounds - guilty. I do it not because I’m stuck but because I can, yikes. You asked for suggestions. Here are mine that have never failed. In no order: . Have an idea, no matter how simple before launching your DAW. If you have a crap guitar, or playschool keyboard to the finest piano or Stradivarius - come up with SOMETHING before opening the DAW. If you have nothing - and no one really has that excuse, get a card board box and beat out a rhythm. Now - open the DAW and get that idea WORKING. Make that the focus. Say it was a simple melody. Once it’s as good as it will get, now focus on anything really but, we’ll make it a bass that works with the melody. If you’re a professional and feel you ‘must’ adhere to building a low end, bass and drums first - go for it, but still do not move on before the two elements work together. . Collaborate. Just as you say; it’s hard to get people to listen to your music. It's even harder to get a collaborator. Back in ’16 I took a ‘masterclass’ with a classical player in Berkeley, a very serious guy, and I was scared silly. Dude liked what I came up with and has offered to collaborate since. Likewise, one of the kindest guys on KZbin (you’re also one) hated what I came up with for collaboration. My feelings weren’t hurt so much as I was surprised. We all should swallow our pride and go for it. If you know a friend who’s the greatest jazz sax player, ask him if he’ll play a riff or two. An older person whose played simple organ stuff for 50 years, go for it. Then come up with something that works with their part. Don’t assume others - regardless of skill, won’t collaborate with you. . A famous co-founder of a Berlin software company put it best. Don’t sort of use devices. Learn them. Now I change his advice slightly. Learn ONE, at least. I met one of the highest dudes at Microsoft at a trade show and I said “Word does more harm than good; it’s an aircraft carrier, it’s annoying to look at, it’s feature-heavy - and most folks need a canoe or cabin cruiser, not a carrier.” Guy said “Couldn’t agree more we’re re-coding to place features that aren’t used by many out of the way.” Each big tool in audio is as hard as Word. But you should deeply learn at least one. Say you choose to learn a synth in a DAW. Learn it inside-out. If you don’t it will frustrate you every time you see it! You’ll use a tiny fraction of its power and still have no idea how to use it. I am SO guilty of this. Don’t open a version of a tool in a DAW in 2024 and frown because you know no more than you did in 2018. Good luck to all in music, and thanks Brian, for an indispensable “this is THE video moment.”

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Great points here! You are right that we probably only need to know a small percentage of the features in most things we use. I often find I like gear that does one thing really well over a lot of things kind of well. I appreciate your thoughts and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@JimmyLem]

100% agree!

[@stefanblack-walker5016]

It's like the old saying, "Only seeing the engine and not being able to road."

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I am not familiar with that one!

[@danjwalker]

This reminds me of my old video store policy. If I don't pick a film within 5 minutes, I need to leave, otherwise I'll be there for 1/2 an hour.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

lol oh man I can remember spending ages wandering through those stores!

[@Quispel]

wise words!

[@cipherhype]

This is what I preach to my team. We have some lesser experienced songwriters and artists that want to do 100 takes of the same line or listen through the entire sample library and constantly go back and go back. I started using the "bounce down or render" feature for this precice reason. Find a pair of tracks or section of instruments like strings, backing vox, drum parts, etc... do a nice premix and bounce them (or sometimes just group them) as a way of committing. Of course save as a new copy to preserve the original parts in case change is really needed. Forced commitment, kept file size down cleaner visual and CPU at a low. That is my way of practicing this idea.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

That's some great instruction. It's tempting to never commit and keep the options open, but it's a recipe for unfinished ideas and frustration! Thanks for sharing!

[@cipherhype]

@@BrianFunkMusic Yes and as you know there is a secret payoff to making quick commits and that is that the music absolutely is more interesting more abstract than the linear controlled results of our minds eye. I find myself able to listen back to those fast commit songs timelessly always refreshing where the long commit songs I am usually sick of them the moment they are finally done.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

@@cipherhype I could see that, because the quick decisions have spontaneity and surprise in them, while the crafted stuff can get a little too calculated.

[@ericfoster5267]

This was such a great (and needed, for me!) video -- too often when working on a track, I stop halfway through, overwhelmed by all the possibilities and disappointed by the inevitable straying further and further from my initial perfect vision caused by my imperfect (if budding) skillset.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks, I'm happy to hear that. I know what you mean. I think we all go through it. It's just part of the journey. I think if we can accept that our ideas will always be imperfect, and even learn to embrace it, we can have a lot more fun and finish more music. Remember, you are not alone!

[@ashton2174]

This is awesome advice

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@NilsJakobson]

Youre right. I have a related problem - a gear acquisition syndrome - I am into buying all sorts of broken gear and then fixing it, some of it was easy to repair, some takes a lot of time and at the end I dont have enough time to actually make the music I want to make :(

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Oh yea, gear acquisition! Over and over again, I have thought that the new whatever device was going to be the thing that would finally help me make my hit songs. And that's without trying to fix broken gear. That's a new layer! Truth is, even if you have a phone, you have more power than just about any other human that ever existed before! But yea, I can relate!

[@patricknowak5677]

I felt really stuck at the last time when it comes to producing music, this video really helped me to get a other view on things! Thank you so much!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

So glad it helps. Keep in mind that we all get stuck and frustrated or unsure about what to do next. Trust your gut and push through it. Recognize those feelings and welcome them as part of the challenge. It's challenging but it's not impossible!

[@n0_1atall]

thanks for sharing this

[@BrianFunkMusic]

My pleasure!!

[@scott9371]

I comment very little on videos, but today felt the need to share how much your content moved me not only mentaly, but emotionally and spiritually also.🎙🙏

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thank you, your comment moves me too : ) I appreciate it!

[@SKuLKZ]

I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for making this video! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 you got a new sub here!

[@BrianFunkMusic]

Thanks for watching and subbing! I am happy to hear this helped a bit!!

[@Soundwrecker]

This is why I love the OP-1 so much. It takes me back to when I had a fostex 4 track. It forces creative decisions by making you print to tape and move on.

[@BrianFunkMusic]

I agree! I love that about my OP-1! No undo! Sometimes you make mistakes and you can't go back. But that means you have to get creative to continue. The number of times I've wound up moving forward and making interesting choices far outweighs the times I've made a mistake that ruins the project entirely! It's worth the risk!