Composer Chat: Why You're a Better Composer Than You Think!

How good a musician/songwriter/composer are you? There's a good chance that you are a lot better than you think you are. In this video, Guy Michelmore outlines some of the reasons why many composers and music producers underestimate their own ability. Things like Imposter Syndrome plague most musicians and so Guy will be giving you the reasons why, AND telling you what you can do about it.
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[@TheArtOfJerry]

Your energy is like a 25 but your experience is like a 100 yrs old 🗝️. You are a great influence and inspiration.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

that's sort of how I feel in reverse half the time!

[@LLAWREN]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation 🤣🤣

[@nigelworwood8530]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Cast off those sunglasses of doubt! Young Man

[@lowrater]

This is one of those times I can say “but.. guy says I’m good” instead of mentioning my mom. Great content as always. Thanks.

[@matiascavalieri918]

In a world where the clickbait is aim towards videos named sort of "you are doing it wrong, you idiot", Guy is doing it exactly the opposite way. Thanks for your knowledge, you are a real educator. Keep positive.

[@bartvanriel]

This is easily the most levelheaded, down-to-earth videos you made in the past few months. Thank you so much for this.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

I do my best!

[@linkinlinkinlinkin654]

kinda backhanded lol

[@SteelShirt99]

@@linkinlinkinlinkin654felt the same 😂

[@damdominici]

I keep telling my gf how big of an inspiration Guy is and how much I wanna be like him. He's legitimately excited about music all the time.

[@mradisic11]

Thank you Guy. I am an old man and I do not need to prove anything to anyone. So, happy work on composition. I think that one very important thing to improve in this activity is simple: do it over and over again and don't stop composing. A hug.

[@hansvos5897]

I like this Guy sooo much, the joy, the humour, the enthusiasm, the experience and interesting points of view he shares... things we all need.💪

[@hugovandermeer1566]

That's probably because his name IS Guy.

[@DrProgNerd]

I'm at the 'falling on my face every few steps' stage of recording - but I'm determined to get better. Thank you for your encouraging words. Love your videos.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Keep going

[@tonyhailstone]

I've always considered myself an amazing composer but it's great to know I'm actually incredible and it was just self-doubt holding me back haha.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You are a genius - its completely true

[@aural_escape]

Something I suffer from. This video turns up when I'm about to change the bath water (again). Thanks 🙂

[@joonglegamer9898]

Soundcloud be like 10+ new listeners when you upload something, and they are all out to scam you "promotors" that pretend you're good, but wants to sell you a service. And if you don't answer, you're back to square one, they're all gone. And friends be like, oh that's nice, and they listen once, and never come back. What was that link again? Colleagues be like - Oh thats really catchy, didn't know you produced music (never returns). Yeah hard to keep imposter syndrome away with a life like that.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Find a nice friendly supportive community that will help you grow. Soundcloud is not it

[@simplemindedspacetrash7499]

Thank you so much for making this video! Im just getting out of music school and into the world of building a freelance media scoring business, definitely working with a lot of the anxieties you're describing. Appreciate the space for reflection.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Happy to help

[@GenuineHeather]

Thank you so much, Guy. This was needed and appreciated. I've been stalled for quite a while and self-doubt is a constant companion. You're an inspiration.

[@PawelMusic]

Guy, many thanks for this video. I noticed how many people - not only in music area - just don't trust themselves.... Great work!!!! Like you even more ;-)

[@kateohanlonmusic5872]

What a brilliant and encouraging video. By the way, I'm LOVING your trailer course and thoroughly recommend to others. Covers several gaps in my knowledge, such as sound design (such fun but a rabbit hole with endless possibilities). Looking forward to completing it and moving onto another of your no-doubt equally brilliant short courses.

[@orderd29]

My word, I really needed to see this video. I've always loved your reviews and composing insight, but to be able to address a fundamental such as this is so supportive and refreshing. Thanks you so very much.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You're welcome

[@spartacusjonesmusic]

I really enjoy your videos. You're a great coach.

[@bradhouse4754]

It occurred to me last night, while I was trying to hammer out a turnaround for a song I'm working on, that the audience I imagine in my head is made up of all really great musicians. Gah!!! Don't do that to yourself, unless you're already incredibly confident. I also have to remind myself that I'm hearing my music through the ears of a musician that has certain expectations that would probably never occur to non-musicians. The pimple, as it were. Great video, and a reiteration of things I needed to hear.

[@iamjackmccoy]

this is the content creatives need. thank you for the incredible positivity and value.

[@apothecide.2]

Thanks for the encouragement ❤️

[@primedpallet]

Love this Guy - keep up the very much needed guidance!

[@rockstarjoe]

You are a never ending source of positivity and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@Scarlet_Host_Guitars]

Thanks so much for this GUY! Will definitely take a look at the program

[@donkeyfacekilla1]

What a kind video! Thank you for making this!

[@chrismoule7242]

That's the word! "Kind".

[@spudsmith]

Honestly Guy, I can't thank you enough for making this video. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me. I'm going through EXACTLY what you described, and your words of wisdom really hit home in a way that others haven't been able to convey. Thank you so much!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You are not alone!

[@celticdistortion]

Loved this video Guy!!! Thanks for the confidence boost! Much appreciated! 😊

[@Edbrad]

Thanks for this Guy, great video. I'd love some more discussion about the psychological philosophy of music/composing. The "perspective" thing is so incredibly important to understand in many more ways. How to get perspective and how to have the right perspective I've found central to making music, especially when it's for media and film.

[@esteemedyams]

Thank you Mr. Michelmore for taking the time to make this!

[@jenn7669]

Thanks for your advice! As artists, we tend to be harder on ourselves. But sometimes, you have to release your music and be confident about it. It's been about 10 months for me improving my compositions. Studying music theory and learning the piano. Looking forward to learning more!

[@randyramos6979]

Felt like you were talking to me personally throughout the video. I needed to hear this. So accurate. Thank you!

[@BrickTop1]

Thank you very much for your channel, I always wanted to compose orchestra music but was scared of it and always thought the samples in my DAW didn´t sound good and rather stayed at playing the piano and producing other types of music here and there. Now I recently saw one of your tutorials for BBC Discover and actually tried it and it sounds pretty good :D.

[@sujhansuvisan8402]

I needed this ...thank you

[@hugovandermeer1566]

Absolutely correct. Thank you.

[@trioofone8911]

Love this channel.

[@delphisignal]

Amazing! I hear so many KZbinrs talk about how to get out of the 8-bar loop and how to finish what you started but they just don't click for me. You get right to the root of the matter. Very on-point. This is me. I end up with something potentially great but chuck it because I don't have the knowledge/patience to realize it. It becomes an endless loop.

[@phumlanshongwe6000]

Thanks guy!! 😊

[@martiglesias60]

You're a great inspiration for composers!

[@STA-3]

This raised my confidence in music by 90 percent. Thanks whatever in the algorithm made this recommended to me.

[@mekosmowski]

Thank you for this one.

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

The main reason I basically stopped writing music (other than an "occasional piece" a couple times a decade) in my mid 20s was that I didn't feel I'm able to write music that would be interesting enough for me to feel I want to listen to it. I came back to some of my own work as a listener in recent years. I still find it's not as complex as the stuff that really turns me on, but somehow these old songs feel surprisingly effective. And, frankly, I don't know if it's just plain bias or if I was really underestimating myself. Since none of that stuff was ever made properly public, I never could get external feedback (well, except for once: I did manage to write a song that a bunch of four-year-olds in my son's kindergarten seemed to like; and kids can be a pretty demanding audience 😃)

[@vleiratfilms2020]

Guy’s videos and his courses I’ve used to help compose and record music for the movies I make all the time, have been a joy and the most inspiring part of working in this medium. It’s never too late to start learning again (I’m nearly 80), and my best stuff always seems to be when I’m on a new learning curve.. so thanks Guy for so much more than you know.😎🌝

[@AmyJaynerwood]

I needed to hear this boost of positivity, thanks so much Guy. So hard at times especially as a fledgling composer and doubting oneself with imposter syndrome 😂

[@tfwnoyandere]

you really remind me of my sound production lecturers with your content and delivery, grande

[@LLAWREN]

Exactly what I needed today 🙌 I love your videos, Guy. You're so candid with such a childlike spiriti/curiousity and give great advice to us beginners! I'll rewatch this every time I have doubts about my music. ❤

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Please do - have confidence and enjoy yourself

[@KuchenPanda]

Thank u so much for this great video! I've recently started composing music and I keep getting to the point where I think my music is just not good enough and I'm not living up to my own standards. This video helps me a lot right now!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Great

[@azaelemoro]

Thank you! I am figuring out right now that I needed some good words!

[@jumpsneak]

Thank You for All the motivation

[@Rabid.Turtles]

Thanks for the encouragement. All of us begin at the beginning no matter where we are today

[@kalendmusic356]

Thank you! I feel better already.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Glad to help

[@edgenovese]

Always a big fan of yours. Plain speak and humble honesty. Although I have pieces I feel good about, even now in my new work I'm saying "umm I don't know." Constant battle of assurance. Thanks for the chat...I'll be signing up one day soon. God bless

[@huntoriginalmusic-wy2rc]

This is an insightful and brilliant video which will assist countless composers in their quest for recognition and/or simply for the joy of writing better. We need more videos like this Guy. Thank you for this simple, useful and intelligent look at how composers sometimes treat themselves unjustly. Personally, I have learned how to discriminate, fix the parts that don't fit and refine over time. Guy already knows how to approach music as a composer and a producer. This takes experience and we are all grateful out here for your wisdom, your energy and your talent.

[@ribstones]

Im sending you a virtual hug Guy !

[@Natalie-es3dc]

Very good, sir, thank you!

[@bluecollarstudio8513]

He gets a like right off the bat with the friendly "Hello Everybody!"

[@johnlake5375]

At a Taster Week last year, I submitted a piece I had been working on. Guy and Tim gave some awesome feedback (add a “B” segment) which inspired me to grab a portion/chord progression from another song I had written and insert it. WOW, what a difference it made in the overall flow of the piece!

[@PoundSound]

❤ this, can relate. On the subject of Family and Friends - If you ARE going to show family and friends, don't tell them you made it. Sometimes getting honest feedback from 'non musically minded individuals' can give an insight into how casual listeners may experience your music and if the message (feeling) you intended to put across worked / didn't work.

[@christiaantinga]

Thank you for this one. In addition to this, I remember a video where you said: "Bye, idea!". That was some eye opener for me. I've been storing loads of concept files with just a few bars of an odea and never got back to it. I learned to get rid of 'em and makes me less frustrated, because you don't stumble upon the files anymore ;)

[@brianhudson7058]

Excellent tutorship, thank you

[@maciej74174]

Very motivating. Thank you Guy.

[@MarcShake]

thankies. I am the living writers block because of anxiety. This is sooo helpful.

[@StageRightMark]

Thanks for the inspirational words. I have been a hobbyist composer for many many years. I really haven't shared any of my work because of the infamous sunglasses of doubt. But perhaps it's time to get out there and have a go of it. I have enjoyed your videos and maybe I should have a look at your education page.

[@dougamolina]

very interesting and important points, inside and outside the music world. thank you for that.

[@grobinson9352]

The doubt is real🙂The support is most needed. So I definitely thank you for this video.

[@zachary963]

4:45 my wife is a professional artist (fiction writer) so I’m really lucky in that she knows how important it is to give me actual feedback instead of “yeah dude it’s great!”. I find her input invaluable because she actually helps me find the missing links and fix the things that just aren’t working

[@euclid2]

I love your vibe sooo much

[@rafaelvieiraprodutormusica3489]

Guy, I really believe some kind of "universe conspiring" is on the works here....past few weeks every doubt and insecurity towards my music and how to make music is answered at the moment that I open my KZbin page with one of your great video. Thank you soo much for your work. I'll start the courses of your school (Thanks by the way to have "regular" courses besides de Masters, it really helps). Wish you the best and hope to one day meet you.

[@jonathanrexmusic]

Yeah MA student here from Philippines.. The support is great and the tutors ar Phenomenal.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Hello! Nice to hear from you and thank you for the support

[@jordanrazowskymusician8178]

Great vid!

[@raymoland]

Recent Thinkspace graduate here. Everything Guy says is true. I loved my Masters in Orchestration.... learned a ton. Sunglasses of doubt still surface but far less than before. 😂

[@novacascade5005]

Totally agree with everything said here. An analogy that I like to use is music is very similar to a potter & his wheel. It can be molded & perfected infinitely .

[@alanredversangel]

Thanks for the pep talk. I dont really have impostor syndrome but the doubt comes in pretty strong waves. Feeling like 'this isnt happening, why are you doing this?' and that feeling can last for days or weeks at a time.

[@dbmusicproductions9181]

Feedback! Yes! We all need a trusted friend who can give us both encouragement and critical, analytical feedback. It helps if that person knows you personally and it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you had a few who don’t know you personally, but are willing to give encouragement and criticism.

[@ComposersArcade]

Received my application acceptance a few days ago. I am so pumped to be 'ripping off my sunglasses of doubt'!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Way to go! Really looking forward to helping you post those sunglasses to Tierra Del Fuego where they belong (unless of course you actually come from Tierra Del Fuego)

[@tobythehatmusic]

Nice one Guy🙌

[@batman-robin-soundtrack]

THANK YOU your videos are a gift from God

[@ASTROMEGA]

You are a treasure, Mr M. As a "lonely wolf" I rely on public feedback. I wish I had more comments, especially from other musicians, but for some reason the feedback is very economical. I suppose my creations are not that interesting 😔. Love the creation process, less the "self promotion" part. Mixed feelings about all this...😔

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Find your tribe and a nice friendly community - that can make all the difference

[@olaftimme1466]

Nice new background 😊

[@Daniel-Hawk]

It took me literally 40 years playing for myself till I released the first songs. It was the inner voice (you aren't good enough) what stopped me

[@matthewgaines10]

A very different take than that of Venus Theory. Winners know how to win. I have a BS in Engineering and piano lessons. A Master’s in music production is probably beyond my reach at the level I’m at today. It would be nice to have a less rigorous curriculum for the less blessed. I just want sound more professional in my pursuit of my hobby. I guess the hard grind is what’s left.

[@RAM_845]

Guy and Cameron are great at explaining things in the music production world.

[@dunskiedmusic4396]

What a nice video

[@mercerfamilyadventures4613]

Thanks sir, I'm in the Philippines and sadly can't afford the fees. But I do appreciate the approach to overcome the self doubt. A video on creating a showreel (without much of a record of gigs) from you please..

[@soundsafoolmusic]

Wow. Thanks. Has made me think you were talking to me. Especially when you said Wakefield England!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Ha! Wakefield centre of the musical universe

[@patrickhay3004]

Guy, I'm like the other hundreds of subscibers that tune in with "Hi, everybody". I watch and learn. I am truly lifted by this video. I am not young--70+. But what the hell. I compose on a korg oasys. I've saved (nay recorded) 45+ projects on it with Cubase. All for persomal enjoyment--I am too shy to share the stuff out there beyond family etc etc .BUT I KNOW ( which your video gets at), that amongst it all, there are some damn good tunes. Do you think all we are waiting for is someone to say "hey, that's damn good" Watch you always, Patrick

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You just need to find a kind and supportive community to put your stuff out in. Is it orchestral or songs or what?

[@patrickhay3004]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation Guy, Thanks a million for your chipping in. I wasnt expecting this at all. You are a very busy chap. It's tunes predominantly. 3 mins at the most whether orchestral or not. I can adapt. Any longer I feel the audience will switch off -if not already! If I flood them with all at 45 at once boredom with sink in. Anyhow I understand. What you say to us is the sum of years of experience of ups and downs. See you at the Ivor Novello awards perhaps? Patrick

[@robst247]

Interesting. I've worked as an integrative therapist/counselor for 13 years and had clients from all parts of the world (except Polynesia and Antarctica), and about 85% of them have had a deeply ingrained self-sabotaging script: "I'm not good enough" or some variant therefore. I always use the analogy of darkly tinted spectacles to make them aware of it. Sunglasses of doubt! Great minds think alike. (Fools seldom differ.) 🤣

[@CraigRodmellMusic]

Actually, I've found that my best compositions usually compose themselves. It is as if, in my head, the piece itself tells me where it needs to go next. I have often had really nice ideas - that go absolutely nowhere. But with, for example, my recent compostion "Southern Reel", it was like the music itself told me that what needed to come next was a return to the main theme, followed by a Drone. And what needed to accompany a drone? Again, the music itself told me what needed to go with the drone. It also told me that before the tune going over the drone came in, the Drone needed its own time to speak. So everything got shifted four bars to the right, to give the drone its space. I know this sounds all very airy-fairy, but I've found that my best compositions just happen. I have no idea why. And I don't necessarily discard the ideas that don't go anywhere - who knows when they might come in useful in the future? I just wish there was some formula that would mean that every (or most) times I try and compose, a good composition would result. Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that (certainly in my case!)

[@sfx1674]

What's paralising my creative process is a massive and unhealthy amount of perfectionism, spent years improving processes and choosing "the right tools" but keep throwing stuff away due to a lack of satisfaction with the work produced. Writing this down here with the hope that by putting it out there I might cure myself from what is, by all acounts, an unshakeable plague.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Perfectionism is awful - and a subject I was planning on covering in a couple of weeks time so stay tuned!

[@menamgamg]

Im the same. Ive learned that perfectionism can have two fundamentally different underlying reasons. Either you're making up for a lack of self esteem by getting affirmation from others and you develop a dependance on others, so in an effort to control their reactions to you and make them give you that validation, you try to do things perfectly. The other reason is a strong aversion to any negative feeling caused by situations that might happen as a result of what you do and you develop perfectionism to try to make sure youre not making any mistakes that might cause such a situation. Like avoiding misunderstandings by spending hours writing the perfect email, or something like that.

[@sfx1674]

I don't know which book you got this info from but it doesn't apply to my case. Sure I tend to want to be the best at what I do but tha't not due to low self esteem or not wanting to offend people, it's more a case of knowing that I can do much better and making sure that if something is released out to the wild and I'm gonna be remebered for it then it better be good.

[@menamgamg]

@@sfx1674 Didn't mean that it definitely has to apply to you and there might be other reasons - these are probably the most common ones though! Just wanted to provide the info in case it could help you as it has for me. Perfectionism is a form of avoidance and avoidance is based in fear/anxiety, so you need to try to find where your fear is coming from by continously asking yourself why until you get to the fundamental reason. But based on the limited info i have (and i might miss the mark totally), you say you don't want to be remembered for something that isn't your absolute best work and that makes me think that you fear the idea of being misjudged or misunderstood. So if that's the case, you should start by asking yourself: why is that bad? What happens if people don't know your true potential? Anyway, for me it has taken a lot of introspection and working on myself as well as therapy to start improving on my perfectionism. For me it has been a problem in every aspect of my life even just with simple things in my daily routine and stuff. The more important something is to me the more i feel is at stake if i fail and the more fear i have and in turn the worse the perfectionism becomes.

[@meridjal]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation as one wise person once said "Perfect is the enemy of good".

[@westernnoir4808]

Good encouragement for those who always wear sunglasses.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Indeed!

[@ExtraTerrestrial4k]

Wait I'm like super early to this video, I was not expecting that, thank you algorithm. But anyway, I was gonna say this is exactly what I needed right now so thanks to you as well. I'm happy with the spot I've got myself to right now, but I also do want to try singing/rapping in my songs which I have never tried, like EVER, so that will be really hard for me to start. But, eventually, I'm sure I'll get there.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Go....For....it

[@johannborchersfriends]

Yes, a lot of people are better than they know. There are some issues I'll cover though. 1) Making music has become incredibly easy to do on a professional level and everyone can do it now with just a few thousand dollars. 2) Because of the amount of people making music daily the markets have become incredibly saturated it's more than ever unlikely your music will ever be found. 3) However, when we compare 70-90's time where you absolutely had to have a label or your music would never be heard by anyone outside of your local area that is no longer the case. 4) With that known, even if you have a very few people listening they might now adays be from a completely different country which was never possible before. 5) In order for most people to do music now and make money off of it a very long term approach is needed. It's important to know that when music is created the copyright lasts 2 lifetimes (~120 years for most countries). Just because you aren't making much money now doesn't mean that future will be the same. Audiences grow over time if you are skilled. 6) Education is extremely valuable because you'll learn things other people won't know giving you an advantage. 7) Think before you do, if you are constantly playing your music online for free there is no reason for someone to buy it.

[@komatikvengeance8811]

You should rename this video to "life advice of a composer" The things you said apply to so many fields and life in general. Thank you

[@Dakilangmanok]

Thank you for this video. I write music as a hobby, and usually don't show it off because of plenty of the things you have mentioned (though I generally do get positive feedback). I have no real interest in work as a composer I have a job I love (software engineer). I need to start looking at my own work in a whole new light. I've always wondered, what is there out there for people like me? I'd like to do more with my music, but don't want a second job.

[@Gryvix]

I think what helped me is two things: I listened to all of Ennio Morricone's music: 40%horrible 20%bad 10%meh 25% good 5% brilliant and checking out some manuscripts of composers on imslp and seeing all the marks and erased bits till they got something decent.

[@one-onassis]

I have played jazz funk on the keyboard 40 years, only played live once (500 audience) and I don't think I'm "amazing" but when people do hear me they are left mouth open and them saying they have never seen someone play a keyboard like that. I even dropped the keyboard for the PBASS. So what you say I'm a great example.

[@philipford6183]

Like thousands of others, I have folders full of unfinished 16-bar ideas that inexorably ran themselves into the sand and died a quiet death. I've probably been stuck in the loop for years now. It's gotten to the point that as soon I encounter a moment's doubt I just abandon whatever I'm working on, disgusted with my pathetic efforts (or lack thereof).

[@menamgamg]

Ive been there for a long time.. stuck in avoidance and not even going further than recording ideas as voice memos on my phone for years and years even though i have every possibility to make something out of it and i even studied audio engineering for a few years. The things i care about the most are the hardest for me to do because the more important it is the worse the thought of failing feels and it's those thoughts and the resulting anxiety that keeps holding me back. It has been important for me to discover why i feel the way i do in the first place because there are always very good reasons for it, and if you know why then you can start to have compassion towards yourself and stop blaming yourself. This is how i've turned things around and gradually easing myself into producing more. I was able to make a lot of changes in my life after being diagnosed with ADHD though. Not sure if this is helpful at all but i read your comment and had these thoughts so i figured i'd share them :)

[@darcy4143]

Guy i want to thank you for the pep talk it's true I feel like one or two of the examples you gave and if your not careful it can eat away at you so thanks for extracting the teeth that nibble on my grey matter from time to time.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

so true have confidence

[@getkilted]

Guy - do you have sunglasses of doubt in every studio, or always carry the same pair???? Thanks for another brilliant video

[@guym1428]

they are always at hand just in case

[@claudvigilante]

I love your videos, including this one... but there are a lot of people who think their music is a lot better than it actually is.

[@sohailsamson828]

Thank you for your encouragement. I have a question. I am planning to buy Mac Ultra m1 Studio, 1 TB storage, and 128gb ram. What is your advice on that? I saw your video on that, too. Is it worth buying it. Thank you

[@sburton84]

You've switched from the Native Instruments keyboard to the Arturia? What made you switch? I'm thinking of getting the Arturia myself. They both use the same Fatar mechanism I believe?

[@kattekaren]

I think I've missed some videos. You moved out of the shed! :O

[@BenMartinBox]

All of it is very true. Despite this being more a promotional video of your team services, good advises anyway.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

I never intended that initially but then realised actually it's one of the reasons we organise the courses the way we do

[@BenMartinBox]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation There's nothing wrong promoting your business. I do appreciate your humor and useful insights on almost every video you publish. Please, do keep doing it.