How to Protect Your Passion for Composing

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[@ZachHeyde]

What small step can you take starting now to protect your passion for music? I'd love to hear - leave a comment below!

[@amarug]

I just did drawing and composing for fun, but I have never been very good at either. Since the rise of AI I lost all joy in it. I can't explain it precisely, but somehow I have no issues in being mediocre and having other people being way better than me, but having a computer that does it better instantly took all air out of me. I am not joking, the last small piece of music I wrote was the day before Udio was released (unleashed). I don't know or even understand myself why I hate it SO much and why it take all the fun out of it, I mean I am lterally an engineer myself, who has worked at designing AI systems, but I always envisioned them to solve issues in medicine (which is part of my work) and other fields that are just rattled with human suffering. Instead now, they invaded the realm that was a huge source of human joy, wonder and happiness. Why? Just because it was "easy" and looks impressive to reel in all that sweet venture capital...

[@ZachHeyde]

Super interesting, thanks for sharing and I'm sure you're in good company. It sounds like you're comparing your music's quality against AI, which falls into that comparison trap. I'd encourage you to take a decent break from reading about tech/AI for a while (or other people talking about it). "Better" music is very relative, and there's still a HUGE demand/love for human art that isn't going away. But if you need a break from music, there's nothing wrong with that either 🙂

[@bennywollinmusic]

I share a lot of your feelings toward AI. The thing is, I don't give a s*** about AI art. Art communicates, art connects human souls. AI isn't connecting me with anyone. I'd rather hear music YOU made, that tells me something about you, than anything AI comes up with.

[@amarug]

@@bennywollinmusic Thank you :)

[@ThomasPeeters]

This is a fantastic video for creatives in general. People can spend years learning this stuff and you just casually broke it down in a twelve minute video. That's impressive 👏

[@ZachHeyde]

Thanks Thomas, glad you liked this one 🙂🙏

[@SimonOxton]

Thank you Zach: really helpful! One of the big dangers for me is getting absorbed in my music activities; but I am learning to balance creating my 'art' with other necessary (and no more mundane) tasks. I am even trying to compose in short (e.g. 20 minute) bursts rather than feel I need to 'zone out' for hours and get... well, absorbed again. Great video!

[@ZachHeyde]

It's a beautiful thing that we can lose track of time doing something we love! But yeah, finding that balance is also important - glad you're finding it! 😁🙌

[@cheska_yo]

Something that I implemented this year was raising my minimum level of engagement to $480 for a film scoring project and only saying yes to projects I'm truly excited about!

[@ZachHeyde]

Those are SUCH good boundaries/entry points, congrats on that Cheska! 🙌

[@brunolmusic1]

Super valuable content, Zach! It's a feeling I had recently until I understood I wanted to do too much and even the task paralysis. That is better if I plan some lil tasks and then I focus my energy on these

[@ZachHeyde]

Thanks Bruno, and thanks for sharing!

[@bennywollinmusic]

Good thoughts! I also think we need to be willing to let WHAT we love about composing change and grow over time. From C.S.Lewis: "...it is just the people who are ready to submit to the loss of the thrill and settle down to the sober interest, who are then most likely to meet new thrills in some quite different direction. The man who has learned to fly and become a good pilot will suddenly discover music; the man who has settled down to live in the beauty spot will discover gardening."

[@ZachHeyde]

Love this quote, and totally agree Ben - our needs definitely change in time!!

[@michaelcerny777]

Another amazing video & topic, Zach! I love that your advice is basically spiritual but concise and to the point. I'm not 'in the industry', meaning not composing music for companies or clients but for myself and very small audience on KZbin but my dream would be to reach more people (and, later on, to have people play my music) but your advice is great and important no matter the creative field and surrounding factors! Thanks again for sharing 🙏🏼🎶

[@ZachHeyde]

Thank you Michael, glad this resonated and appreciate you sharing your journey!

[@christianbelter]

Great video Zach. Made me think of this: "You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail." - Charlie Parker

[@ZachHeyde]

Yeah man, great quote. Preparation and abandonment 🙂

[@odysseuskal]

Amazing video as always. Exactly what most people need but don't know they do

[@ZachHeyde]

Glad you enjoyed this one 🙏

[@yuksanovic]

😘 thx man

[@Veridi]

Yo, can you make an online networking guide?

[@ZachHeyde]

Heya! Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mF7VmmmljtpmjM0

[@JacobTeach]

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Making music isn't fun anymore. You can now play as Luigi.