Learn an instrument by making an album

[@alexiscreatingthings]

This rules, great video!! New subscriber :) I recently did a "make 23 songs in 23 days" challenge to learn production & all the stuff that goes along with it (basics of midi drums, EQing etc), learned SO much more than if I'd just watched a load of youtube videos. The great thing about learning by doing is that you run into genuine problems organically and then are very motivated to solve the exact correct problem at the correct time, rather than thinking you have to "study" everything before you even begin. (Vid of me ranking the 23 songs kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3ixqZmvlJiFjKs) Ira Glass says here in an addendum to The Gap "just create NOW - it can be the shitty version of the thing that you improve down the road" kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2jVdIKipqyJh7c

[@biggSHNDO]

My favorite part is how it looks like a high-res 1970s recording

[@sammy-whirl8500]

Hair is my favorite musical

[@Flairis]

The aesthetic of his vids are sick asf

[@sharityjoy2427]

Just imagine dropping music albums at the very beginning of ur musical career and the audience that finds you grows together with you along as you get better at ur craft…

[@QKvox]

@@sharityjoy2427 That’s exactly what I’m doing, im 17 and recently released my third album and there is already a very clear improvement and development and I’m gonna keep going. I love that type of thinking.

[@vanravenofficial]

Exactly what I’m planning to do! Partly because I’m 44 and I don’t have time to spent years becoming “good enough” first 💀

[@franksonjohnson]

The way you swallowed your frustration with LoFi as a genre in the middle of this video is impressive and admirable

[@sleekTele]

😂

[@spearl2498]

IT MADE ME CACKLE AHHAHA

[@user-ym6dl8tq6u]

Amazing to be honest. No clue who you are, this video was an algorithm recommend but holy shit fantastic. This should be screened at schools. One of the best musical philosophical bits I’ve ever seen. Iconic.

[@matteas1008]

literally doing this rn couldn’t have seen this at a better time

[@rtsnto7877]

Same

[@NickdaMutha]

@@rtsnto7877same same

[@NickdaMutha]

Same same

[@cantseenothing]

I think you may well be onto something. I've noticed that much rock and pop music, if you listen to it carefully, is frequently composed of quite simple parts.That is, each instrument is often quite minimally played, and it is the combination of all these instruments that can produce a much more complex and interesting sound. It isn't necessarily that hard to play a few chords on guitar or keyboards, finger a bass, hit some drum pads, and so on. Even solos, sometimes, can be quite simple to execute. Today's audio workstations can do wonders with the tonality and effects offered, and that's true even without using any of the preprogrammed loops and such. Of course learning the software takes some study, but there are tons of excellent demos on this site with knowledgeable people sharing their skills. Now classical music and jazz, is of course a whole other ball of wax. But I think you're providing a service, Jonny, in encouraging people to just get out there, experiment, and HAVE FUN!

[@josephpwallace6784]

I woke up in the middle of the night with a tune. I had to record it. Problem is I had no idea how to play any instrument! I'm doing it anyway and working on it. Seems almost divine that this video came to me now. Feels like encouragement. Cheers from NYC Jonny.

[@krown1188]

Totally support this. This is exactly what I did. Wanted to write poetry, then rap, so I started making beats (had some music backround from playing trumpet in the school band) but basically had no idea what I was doing, wrote and arranged thousands of songs learning along the way. They were all quite bad for years, but continued to progress and I’ve learned and developed so much throughout that time.

[@denizk0461]

love the advice. even as a teacher-in-training, I feel "learning by doing" is so crucial - the only things I ever got good at were things I made rather than studied. glad to see others share this viewpoint. thanks!

[@jodotgiff]

This what I did to learn guitar. I made an album and worked with a Grammy winning engineer and other talented individuals on it. It gave me so much motivation to make something amazing. It drops on Nov 23rd :)

[@ketongu]

i've been a musician forever and i'm just starting to learn the clarinet. my advice is: learn songs by ear. like, just pick any tune and figure out the notes from what they sound like, and don't be intimidated by something having a reputation as being hard. I've been learning new orleans jazz type melodies and rhapsody in blue, and as a beginner i'm figuring out how to gliss and vibrato, which is something classically trained clarinettist friends had no idea how to do at school.

[@TwentySeven1337]

Angelic 2 The Core acknowledged! I'm obsessed with that thing, it was literally my most-played album of 2021 or so.

[@matthewbrown7572]

I like it. I've taken this approach and have put out 4 albums and I'm working on the 5th. Best Jonny.

[@nicolaischweizer3708]

Are they on Apple Music?

[@matthewbrown7572]

@@nicolaischweizer3708 Yes, under the name Theophilus Grant. Thanks for asking.

[@theenigmabegins]

@matthewbrown7572 I'm working on some stuff myself, Checking out your stuff now! I'm always excited to hear new music and hear what people are doing with it!

[@Theactivepsychos]

Bass piano and organ all learnt Making ten demo albums. Now got our first proper album out hopefully this wee. Just waiting for the mastering. The single we released is on vinyl and I bloody love it!

[@pat7255]

you fucking rock dude i really relate to what you’re talking about thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, cracked up when u said glockenspiel, haven’t heard that one in a while. i began learning guitar two years, i got stuck into theory within the first 8 months w the goal of understand the songs i love and have been learning so i can make something myself, i haven’t really stopped digging into it since learning new theory stuff and songs to compliment that is so addictive. i feel like now is the time to relax with the theory and try and create more n have a little more fun.

[@llRoBoBinHoll]

I think it’s good to keep in mind very clearly what your creative purpose is while going through the process of learning something. Otherwise you wander into this limitless space of things you need to learn and improve. I also think recording yourself is one of the best things you can do while learning an instrument. But I don’t think you necessarily should set out to create something when you can barely play anything. Because even simple things need to be played with some level of technique to end up with something coherent. If your timing is crap, or your tone is not articulate enough it will just sound like mush. Let alone instruments that require intonation. But I think that a beginner mindset is something of value, and it can be cool to listen back to what you were doing when you were starting out, and draw inspiration from those things.

[@luckyboy5nu]

Very well said and very inspiring.

[@JHendricks_Music]

Totally agree, ive been doing music for 4 years now and im about to put out my 2nd album and im not a perfect player but i pour alot of myself into my music and im really proud of where ive gotten to so far. Dont let people who are more studied stomp out your shine, be you and be okay with that! Music is all about expression so keep that as the essence of what you do

[@seeco1017]

Harmonica and glockenspiel being called out, directed at me woo

[@generic_ankit]

Yes! Learning by doing and learning from direct experience is the best way to live the most genuine life in my opinion. As a more creatively inclined individual, only this makes sense to me, so I highly support this message!!!

[@ellomate07]

You are wonderful. Subscribed

[@yessiwolf]

Dude, love this. I'm working on an album myself right now, and this just made me feel like I'm on the right track. Thank you

[@summercameron3505]

O..m..g.... the end of the video is pure gold! Definitely got huge laughs from me - please keep doing 'The Meta!' I have already released loads of crap that I have disowned so I am starting over again and these videos are inspiring and also hilarious - thank you! 💓

[@pwhrr]

I really didn't expect to see young Werner Herzog explaining to me how to learn an instrument

[@Lalavlogginglife]

I think the background and the mud are beautiful it complements the message in a way ❤

[@JohnTravena]

The b-roll is brilliant.

[@ketongu]

"bass and guitar, which is basically one instrument - guitar" thank you for speaking the truth

[@AsherLaFlame]

I love this man, I appreciate this day 🙏🏾💯

[@indianastoned8234]

You may be right about the death of the artist but the fact you exist proves it was only temporary

[@TheLordsofMidlothianRVA]

You sir, are correct. I like your birds as well.

[@thebigjest]

This found me at the right time

[@JonnyMozza]

Doooooooooooooooo IIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

[@nomsa.]

I didn't realise I needed to watch this video. Thank you for this reminder that we just need to do stuff and learn as you go.

[@NaN-Dala]

Exactly what I've been doing!!! Had a music course with Mike Monday who teachs this exactly, to learn by doing. I even released the songs I made as a super super beginner to motivate me to continue with creating and I have to say it helps even if the songs are crap lol, there are some good things about them though and I could even remake them in the future, when I'm better ...... :) :) :)

[@Ian_Coast]

Definitely relate to that. Thanks, man. Paul McCartney has a song, "Do it now", it has same vibes. Lemme share my story. I was starting bunch of a hunch of masterclasses. Couldn't progress further 1st lesson in most of them. Then I realised: for me learning a guitar works, when play by ear actual music. It's is hard, but I remember sh*t way better(and having grand ol' time). So I pick stuff by ear, Robben Ford currently(freaking hard), and learn a bit of jazz harmony on piano at the weekend. Like, I'm happy that I play some existing piece of music, rather than just obscure exercise(when I repeat the passage slowly, it does fell like kinda obscure exercise lol). That's where I apply all that theory from books, doing best(or worst) to explain myself what I played. But when I learn the piece, I can play it, for my pleasure or people.

[@Aysha_fo]

this is phenomenal

[@natalyamusic11]

I loved this video so much, & you're very charismatic- feels like you're from another time! Personally I needed to hear something along these lines- it's so easy to feel like you shouldn't even bother creating until you know how to make something perfect since most of the stuff you listen to is at that 'perfect' point. I mean if it wasn't, you wouldn't be hearing it... but I think it gives this sort of illusion that everything everyone makes is that concise, which isn't true and it took everyone time to cultivate that level of skill.

[@architxct4168]

This is gold.

[@enola.94]

Just love this video and this man! I will keep trying playing instruments and see if i can make a song someday. Thank you! God bless you! 💖

[@mythicalfusion8605]

Loved this video, very original and organic content with no hooks or bs

[@smogtroll6007]

Thanks so much for this, such a ground breaking process. Active learning approach, the way forward!

[@VictorRamirezMusic]

What an excellent video, thank you so much!

[@bonesdiamond444]

This is awesome the will always outdoes the skill

[@HillHand]

This video pushed me to release kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn65oJ2Dnpl2iJI - arranged directly in Lightworks, with a combination of loops, FX, and vocals both bought and created

[@JonnyMozza]

@@HillHand Just listened, amazing work! The bassline in the 2nd half is NUTS

[@JonnyMozza]

Pinned cause yt can be weird about links in comments

[@HillHand]

@@JonnyMozza I appreciate that! I felt weird about linking it at all, but yeah I've been NOT publishing this for like nine months.

[@noakuu393]

I suck at studying, suck at dedicating time to practice, just generally undisciplined in that sense. But I love making music and showing it to people, and so I've learned everything I've learned by just writing and producing songs. But it works cus ultimately that's my whole reason for wanting to get better at these things - so I can write more music I'm proud of

[@atticusfinch6038]

As much as I appreciate this sentiment and do believe there's some huge benefits to this approach, a degree of some study will be unavoidable, If someone's a pure guitar beginner, they're not gonna have any map, they likely won't even know how to get a sound out of the instrument without some guidance, take a saxophone for example reed instruments or even a flute for that matter your embachure will likely have to be learned

[@MarshMakesComics]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@itssnowing7258]

impeccable timing my friend. Great video

[@FuzzyDancingBear]

A lot of words that made sense to hear. A sort of sense that has eluded me until now.

[@hellothere7605]

This is exactly what I needed to hear!

[@sirbonple]

this is exactly what i needed at exactly the right time. i’ve been wanting to do exactly that for a while now i’m just procrastinating and need motivation lol

[@JonnyMozza]

@@sirbonple thaaaank yoooouu yeah make some make some music it's gonna be really good music I'm telling you

[@DejaVou111]

This was really helpful , I’m on the midi drums phase

[@dm6295]

beautiful color grading. how is this look achieved?

[@llRoBoBinHoll]

My guess would be by stuffing the camera up your

[@ggallin69]

This was really cool Jonny. Just subscribed 👍

[@dreikycaprice]

I love this!

[@fernandogardeazabal930]

High quality content, thank you for the video! Don't know how I got here, but I did, subscribed.

[@Gleb_Martynov]

Glad to see some honest and brilliant videos like this without any bullshit. The ideas are so great, this really makes sense, I think the same way as you, but the way you presented it makes it much clearer for me now, thank you very much for this video. You have a good one too pal

[@Steelclon_]

Thank you ❤

[@BuzzLightYear-k8f]

thankful for u💯

[@themusician216]

This is amazing.

[@kezyne]

thanks. thank you. i will

[@TheVibeVault23]

I think I might try this bit out, maybe not a full album just a single or ep

[@joshcrackedboooi2392]

i have been preaching a similar thing, i told people to learn art by making a comic, an animation or a conspt art book

[@NayshyraTahira]

This video tickled my brain

[@juliabrown1289]

I LOVE THIS

[@awakelingsignals]

Thank you Jonny

[@pathfinder_official1526]

It’s what I do with obscure instruments on this channel.

[@questionablenamingskills3325]

loved this video exept the part you called bass basically a guitar

[@JonnyMozza]

Lmao apologies for that oversight

[@hugoacevedo4812]

First! Always wanted to do that.

[@FelipeSSM]

thanks for that video man.

[@gliblygangrenous]

Because were talking about music I thought you were saying intervals instead of inside the rules. Then I asked, “did he say outsidervals?”

[@SkeletonTelevisionMusic]

make an album!

[@isabelleg8956]

Hey what did you film this on? Love the look :)!

[@JonnyMozza]

Canon c100 mk. 1, 50mm usm lens, thank you very much aye

[@akalui007]

do you really feel like your music gets progressively better as time goes on?

[@JonnyMozza]

most certainly

[@akalui007]

@@JonnyMozza I hope to feel that again sir ! this has encouraged me to try new ways of doing things

[@gabeygabey2144]

You remind me deeply of George Harrison

[@natalyamusic11]

I thought the exact same!

[@StratsRUs]

I have said Learn By Doing ! But I thought I was unique !! 😂

[@LikeABossX57]

I want to make a short film that looks just like this video. How’d you edit this to get that look?

[@sleekTele]

thank you

[@josiahbarnhart7932]

Subbed my brother

[@noot007]

Hey! I loved the video, very sound advice (hehe). I'm curious as to what kind of camera you used to film this? I like the look.

[@JonnyMozza]

Heyo, thanks for the kind words, I use a Canon C100 mk 1, I think this vid I had a 50mm usm lens on it (2nd cheapest one)

[@noot007]

@ Thanks for the reply, it means more than you know! 😃

[@HansPeter-ov8vf]

Bro i had just this idea today

[@beexum]

i fw this

[@sliver0fwhatsy0urs]

looks pretty back ther. n i like the mud. or else.

[@prettyflanel6326]

Instant like

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

How did he get the picture quality to look like this? X

[@kingsleyhalland6469]

I’m thirty seconds in and thank you I love you

[@Knu1sed]

frank zappa!

[@speeksasfada]

exaactly

[@HadrienBasch]

yes

[@heyystickman]

lofi💀

[@sliver0fwhatsy0urs]

thank you based jonny.

[@sharityjoy2427]

Chord progression maker link, anyone?🥹

[@JonnyMozza]

The one I use is called onemotion chord player

[@kevin_dasilva]

I have a long story that might resonate with some folks here: When I was a teenager I started writing songs and playing music with friends. I had this dynamic mic for gigs (I was usually the lead singer in these bands) that I would use at home connected to a little white yamaha usb interface i forgot the name of. I also had a yamaha c45m nylon acoustic (yamaha, please sponsor me). That was all I needed. I would close my legs, place the mic towards my juvenile crotch and play away. I had no idea what gain staging was, clipping, boominess, harshness. I just wanted to hear my acoustic through Audacity. I vividly remember recording backing vocals kneeled down in between a dresser and a table, with the mic faced diagonally down towards where the floor meets the wall, and me singing into the butt of the mic. I would double track, fool around, record instrumental pieces, sometimes 1 minute, sometimes 5. I remember all this very fondly because the story is this.. I understood at 17, 18 years old that what I wanted to do was music, professionally. Yadayadayada after a while I enrolled myself into a long, very professional Music Production course that covered everything like how to project the acoustics of a studio, or a stage, how to fix electrical equipment, music theory basics, how to use studio equipment both analog and digital, including plugins. Foley and sound design. Even a class on surround sound I had. There was also a class on DJ techniques and how to prepare a set and worry about BPM, tonality, how to actually mic tracks together using EQ and other techniques. There were so many niche subjects I am forgetting. There were classes that focused on Protools, other teachers preferred Reaper for example (which is my favorite as well). The teachers all had differing amounts of experience working with famous musicians both in the studio or touring. I am describing an AMAZING experience. There was only one problem..... I wasn't well-equipped enough to take advantage of all that material. Instead of me doing what I do in other subjects of interest, which is allow my curiosity to take me on that path of learning, so that each piece of new knowledge gets absorbed, I instead went through this hyper-fast process of absorbing information and never applying it and truthfully absorbing it in the sense of making it part of my vocabulary and natural expression. Case in point: I have countless friends that have home studios, work in studios, and one friend who owns one. For years now I have grown the ability to listen to track they are working on and accurately assess, for example, the specific frequency range and how many dBs to change in a certain instrument. All that is is years of experience hearing something, hypothesizing on what it could be, checking and correcting yourself when necessary, and developing that ear. Moral of the story: What if I said that I have written probably something close to 200 songs in my day but I have basically never released ANYTHING... Especially something I am truly proud of... I admit that my knowledge of production has vastly outgrown my ability to apply said knowledge in a fun, digestable manner as I used to when I was 17. It was a veryyy goood yeaaaarr as Frank would say hehe I am on that path in just doing it.. Not worrying about the quality so to speak, as you said in your most recent video. When I think of everything that I COULD do, I end up not doing anythng. Anything I would do would seem insufficient. It's weird. It's not fun anymore. I know that magic existed within me once. I still have that passion when it comes to just writing and composing. I want to bring it all together again... Thanks again for the extremely insightful video.

[@Cicatrixce]

Thank you for this video!!!