Overthinking is Ruining Your Beats

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Host: Jon
Production: Jon - jwayniac
Editing: Schnoodle - @schnoodlevideo
When it comes to making music in the studio, how do we make sure we have the best chances of getting out of our own way?
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#musicproducer #jonwayne #beatmaking

[@bachaun]

I often overthink my beats and I feel like it’s starting to hurt me in the long run since I don’t release my stuff cause of self doubt.

[@tyler6722]

Only way for it to take off is to put it into the world man. Hell release stuff under a pseudonym until you build the confidence

[@southwestkinema9149]

Get your shit out there. Where is it?

[@NineteenEighty8]

Very relatable.

[@Digamortis]

I've fallen into that cycle as well. Slowly getting better at overcoming my inner critic. One thing that helps me is making beats and just throwing them into my music folder without any mastering. Helps me move onto the next project and when I go back to the old beats they sound fresh.

[@dylanscott3279]

Right there with you!

[@keithprice1950]

This is the needed antidote to all those "I made a beat in 10 minutes" videos.

[@jonmakesbeats]

"I made a beat in 10 hours"

[@JACKSTAY]

@@jonmakesbeats”I made a beat in 10 hours and cut it into a 10 minute video but I promise I did this all on the fly”

[@Endle185]

Yeah u can hear it’s made in 10 mins

[@schnoodlevideo]

I couldn’t stop criticizing my cutting of this episode! Then I just followed Jon’s advice…thanks for watching everyone!

[@jasonhackett7217]

Just wanted to say, you do a great job editing these. Love your style @schnoodlevideo

[@spaceemanspiff]

The GTA "BUSTED" bit was hilarious

[@Jus.freekhz]

Thanks schoods!

[@Poopdudeification]

"okay" The face in the screen messed me up for a minute. Wasn't expecting that. Nice touch.

[@3030-tv]

Damn, nice work man!!

[@bachaun]

I’m a fan of you explaining your process and showing in depth the beat creation! More like this Jon!

[@user-lu8ul8tk9k]

The waveforms on the tv screen in the back are blowing my mind.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Making a decision and sticking with it, not looking back, second guessing, or creating a constant safety net are the things that I need to work on 100%. Nothing derails my flow faster than realizing if I commit this to audio I can't undo... People who grew up with sampling have this flow ingrained in themselves. I want to be like this, it's just so damn hard to change. (That and committing to finishing a damn song instead of starting a new project again and again)

[@MrOddEO]

Definitely agree with this! Not even just about creating but releasing too. Everytime i finish a project or get halfway through its on to the next one. Goal this year to stop being a perfectionist and just release shit and improve with time

[@jonmakesbeats]

Be easier on yourself and funny enough you'll make better music

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

"Listen to yourself as a fan." Lightning moment, thanks Jon. I hear that, I'll try

[@astralhousefly]

Being a "Stranger to my music" resonates so hard with me. I don't think I've heard someone talk about that phenomenon but like you said, it induces decision anxiety.

[@jonmakesbeats]

It’s a big one. Have to spend time with what you’re doing

[@aidanduffy5443]

This is both a very valuable look into a pros philosophy and creative approach, and a masterclass in sample chopping and making a beat

[@titanium_jones]

I've really been trying to make it a point this year for myself to stop hating so hard on the beats I make and to stop comparing myself to others. Seeing and hearing you talk about your mental process as you actively create music is one of the most valuable things I could see in a video for where I'm at in my musical journey. You really touched on everything I find myself going through - thank you so much for this!

[@spaceghost9440]

Bro you better stop looking so cute 🫄

[@user-rg4mm6ln6o]

He looked better with short hair; that low end theory in SF look around 13 years ago….start doing some sit ups, and push ups. Sheeet son, wifey would have to keep the thots away from him!

[@fatbat089]

I don’t comment often, but you’ve been a huge motivator for me, so thank u for the gems and sick beats

[@TimbahOnToast]

I just say Jonwayne, you're a very good producer and rapper. But you are a natural youtuber in a way I don't think I've seen done well from anyone else who's transitioned their art into social media

[@braveheartsbeardstudios]

I really love seeing pros describe their inner thought process!

[@UnDEADBishop138]

I used to produce beats in high school & college but my self criticism reached such an extreme where I was not only hindering myself from making new music and enjoying it but also began getting the urge to completely give up and erase everything. One day I was in a particularly bad state of mind and pulled the trigger to permanently delete all the music I ever made. That has become one of the biggest regrets in my life because I loved a lot of those tracks, albeit amateurish, and would do almost anything to have them back. Hundred of hours of work gone, so many "ah-hah!" moments erased, and so many memories deleted all because I let the overthinking overtake me. A tale of caution: Don't let the negative thoughts overwhelm you and DONT DELETE YOUR MUSIC, even if you think its junk -- its worth going back later. Thankfully I have managed to save a few tracks from archived emails and such, but so much more was lost. So glad to see this channel going strong and Jon giving out priceless advice.

[@user-rg4mm6ln6o]

People give up on music too fast these days. Everyone wants instant gratification, validation, and fame/clout. Always comparing ourselves, and wanting to be what we see on television, and now the internet. What happened to just making music for the love, and experience? Beat making has become a pop-culture nightmare online, and a toxic market of consumerism from companies trying to sell you the hottest new piece of gear that you don’t need. From all the gear influencers on YT fishing for clicks, and likes, to all the amateurs posting selfie “look at me” beat making videos online….Music has taken a turn for the worst. It has become a “look at me” YT, and Tik-Tok fad with everyone, and their dreamers disease nonsense…Everyone wants to be famous, everyone raps, everyone makes music now…And when they don’t “make it” or have a high following or make a career out if it; people give up, and stop making music…Music is for life; This isn’t some kind of get famous /rich online fad……Music is dead in terms of the Music Industry, and for real artists that once used to make a living from creating real albums…..as we can see someone like Jon who has came from making real albums to now resorting to streaming online to keep a fan base. It started with corporations, and the RIAA controlling sampling to streaming services online that have now hi-jacked the way we listen, consume, and share music. Music is for life. f*ck the internet, and yt/television BS

[@recordingonthego9651]

This rings with me

[@thomaslichman5365]

​@user-rg4mm6ln6o I feel you man. I remember when I first started making beats and YT was just a teaching tool, I'd spend hours learning about sound design, digging for obscure samples, but I watched it morph into this "Type beat" "buy my drumkit/courses" nightmare. It felt like before YT tutorials were about explaining the basics of any given VST or musical concept and you'd take what you learned and experiment, do your own thing. Now it's literally "use these chords, with this type of synth, and these drums". It's like they're trying to gamify music making. DAWs are not video games

[@koilakemusic]

This feeling when you upload a beat you seem to like and then listen to it on youtube and realise you could do better. And this thought just stucks inside your head and makes you hate your music. Thank you for your videos, they really help sometimes

[@totaled_camry]

A lot time I try to bounce my beats to wav after I come to a decent stopping point - got an 8 bar hook or a verse or something, then I will play it in the car on the way to work, on the phone speaker, etc and I'll have a lot of ideas for how to alter it when I come back to it.

[@fatlenny9361]

@@totaled_camrythis is my go to method, ita nice being able to work on my stuff away from home

[@Dubstep8cheese]

I've found myself making vip's of my own tracks when I think I could do better and I'll upload it aswell then it's like little a progress report 😊

[@calebscalzo]

That mixing technique on the bass was crucial

[@nolancraw]

@ 27:09 I started really really feelin in. Crazy sick. The murder keys really sent it home.

[@Zebaprod]

I love your humility and honesty. Seems like most channels are prepared and ”how to make ___easy” while you just tell me ”this took me 15-20 minutes while doing the chords” Thank you for being you, I think you are exactly what hip hop nowadays needs. Thanks for the knowledge for the day. You’re your own man🙏🏼

[@slowestjabroni]

im gonna watch this 100 times today and hope it sticks

[@SousaphoneMusic]

so great to see videos about actually making the music. Maybe it's my own browsing habits as well but i've been getting loads of content about gear and the anxiety of whether my gear and skills are enough to make music. it's kinda eye opening to see you work and see how much there is to the creative process. sometimes it feels like everything is supposed to come together naturally into a great song, but in reality second guessing yourself and backtracking and working through that doubt is just as much part of the process.

[@jonmakesbeats]

It’s just how things are. I agree I’d like to see more music making process videos rather than videos about a product, although I love and watch both

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

@ 5:45ish I get it, it’s more satisfying to chop your own loops. I feel the same way with organizing things for my music, from samples to presets, etc.

[@GranolaMusic]

Realest beat making video I’ve seen in a minute

[@oblio10]

Loved the longer workflow process! Also shout out to Jon, I feel like he's really learned his machine and doesn't buy the latest device to use. He's learned his instrument well and knows how to work with what he's got! My uncle suggested that and gave me a similar word of advice when I started tinkering and making beats!

[@thruzero]

Dude this inspired me to actually get tf up and work with a goal for the first time in a longgggg long time, thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@jonmakesbeats]

That’s big! This is why I do it thank you for sharing that with me

[@EntropicSpore]

You are incredibly talented at making music. But your awareness of the psychology behind making music and your ability to convey it is truly a special thing. As a musician who's put out 4 albums and never made enough money to pay rent, but has a decent following online, I applaud you for finding a way to do what you love and profiting off of it. People dont pay for music anymore, so my vinyl just went unbought besides at live shows. Im a filmmaker by trade and wish music was my trade. Im starting to think I could marry the two...but Im not as good on camera. Might try something creative where Im not needed on camera... Idk, I need 2 give it a go. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Roland_Tr909_Swing]

Subbed becuase this is the thought process of a musician.

[@Max-gh6px]

The less i have thought about my music and the decisions I am making, and instead settling with ideas because of how they made me feel over how they might stack up to music that i like, has freed up so much mental energy and has allowed me to finish more music than ever before. There is a techno producer called Chälr who has spoken about this, we're trying to capture moments and thinking too deeply about what it is you're doing can really have an adverse effect on retaining those inital feelings. Godspeed people, make something cool! :)

[@madd2377]

Please do more in depth explained beatmaking videos like this one ! The duration the explanation the beat.. everything was great

[@MrRexBaron]

just spent a few days on a track and i pretty much ruined it at the end... well that's how I feel now after listening to the mixdown.. then I come to youtube and find this! Thank you.

[@calebcolledge]

This is literally the best video of all time on this subject matter. Your decision of showing rather than listing off things is the sign of a true artist. Love your work Jon!!

[@Payzant]

The timing on this video couldn’t have been any better man. Thank you so much for this.

[@eamesgraves]

Piano melody at 15:00 sounds like the “Volk Tape” from Suspiria.

[@Poopdudeification]

This is valuable. Thank you for this. I am more of a traditional instrumentalist (grew up playing bass guitar, mostly metal, rock, blues, funk), but have found my way to hip hop and more electronic based music. For whatever reason, there's a difficult shift I have to make with the limitations of my gear and skill that gets me in a more defeatist mentality thats hard to break out of. Loop brain, or something. Anyway. Thanks again for this.

[@DanielD.mp3]

2:25 when he said "analysis paralysis" i was like "bars"

[@endeiks]

Awesome beat bro!

[@mrfuriousmother]

super inspiring for you to give commentary on not just objective thoughts but your emotional thoughts as well

[@a11pu1poj]

This is good stuff Jon! You knocked it out the fucking park with this one. What an interesting way of describing your process. very very good

[@CanadianReset]

Man it's super cool to hear your process. You are not a old man yelling at a cloud. Sometimes we are provided with such a cornucopia of options we can't make a decision.

[@rize-again9249]

Thanks for sharing your process & showing that you are indeed human. Lol. You are seriously one of the greatest to ever do it.

[@jonhollinsworth8785]

This is an amazing resource for people learning to make music with sampling!

[@gregorioio]

Love the videos, love your vibe!

[@morair]

Needed this video this week, thanks Jon!

[@GordonBBB123]

Great video, thank you.

[@EricRaymondSF]

Great video, Jon. Thanks.

[@drottningu]

Good stuff dude!

[@simonyricools]

You are such a positive force. Love from Oslo.

[@skylartownsend8299]

Thanks for the good advice, it helped me over the hump of self doubt and helped me with using the step sequencer on my mpc. Also, Rap album two is one of my favorites, and I still have it on vinyl

[@guytries2634]

I loved this video Jon man

[@beyallluv]

Lovely

[@bentsound]

Love this one! It gave me all the good feels! Thank you

[@spikerzombie]

My biggest tip is don’t expect anything out of what your making. Just do what’s most natural🌞

[@nicolas.lalonde]

Word! There's a book called The War of Art that focuses on the concept of ''resistance'' which correlates to what you shed light on in this video. Truly appreciated pieces of wisdom and practical examples. Cheers

[@AlbertoBalsalme]

Word. Can't recommend it enough to anyone who appreciated this vid's subject matter and struggles with some of the debilitating self-judgements that Jon is helping is overcome here. The book offers insights on the nature of the sketchy thoughts and emotions we have about our art that hold us back, as well as how to go to war against the spirit of Resistance which they serve - the part of our psyche that, in wanting to "garanty" our safety, will prevent us from growing as a creative and a person by making us afraid of embracing uncertainty, take risks, challenge the status quo, take the unbeaten path, etc. Some of the ideas in it may be a little out there for some people, but the point isn't that there is a literal enemy living inside of us, separate from our own mind, but the almost mythologized way of representing those inner conflicts that have prevented us from becoming what our souls knows we can be and longs for, is helpful in getting fired up and going to war on what separates us from all that we treasure the most, and from our destiny. Jon, thank you so much for all that you share with the world and especially for this one right here. There's countless beat cookout vids out there (and always love to watch yours) and tutorials on music production, yet this type of guided journey alongside you as you create while focusing on your thought processes is such a refreshing and helpful concept. I have no doubts this will be profoundly helpful to a lot of creatives, and hope to see more content in this vein in the future, exploring the psychological side of making art and the "inner game" of creativity. One love

[@CaptainFADC]

Another absolute banger beat!

[@fityfive]

man this is such helpful and inspiring stuff.

[@musicbyethan]

Great post my dude.

[@fredcrewneck]

this video was amazing man

[@bigshmoke420]

Dude this is so dope. You are SO dope!

[@MacTowlie]

trippy cool beat good job Jon

[@lukebussey5218]

Love this chord progression

[@gustavost86]

Awesome video man, I loved your track

[@NineteenEighty8]

Perfect time for a new Jon video. I needed more inspiration today, thanks.

[@DangerBruce]

Another great one Jon. And props to @Schnoodlevideo for the usual top-notch edit, smashed it👊🏻!

[@jonmakesbeats]

he always does

[@schnoodlevideo]

:) thank you!

[@traitortotheliving]

Enjoy your videos and just overall vibe. Good stuff man

[@MookieFlex]

This was great, love the deep dive session and seeing your approach! 👏

[@somnambulist916]

that flow state you described after u get the main bones down on a beat, I could sit there all day lol. hard not to. the srr on the digitakt is a gamechanger for one shots

[@fleshkrumblez]

Delay and reverb is a creator's best buddy or trying an effect that you would never ever touch, such to shake the negative vibe that enters your mind if things are not panning out. Not sure if this has happens to anyone/everyone, but I found that those two can sometimes save me from myself. It has taken me in totally different directions, where I start out BoomBap and nothing is working, I add the delay or reverb and somehow end up moving into a Bossanova meets BoomBap beat and just enjoy what has decided to manifest on it's own. It is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, allowing yourself to create and creating for yourself first and foremost (Take note: You have to believe in what you are creating and enjoy it).

[@EZBOT_]

Very well said.

[@dustinevans]

all about enjoying the process 💛

[@ciasno_beats]

This is the best beat making video I have seen! And I have seen a lot

[@mickpattison7489]

Beutifull stuff mate, thanks for sharing !

[@okinawa1312]

Not only a great rapper but also such a good teacher. Big Up!!!

[@chrisgdawg]

So helpful. Makes me feel my process of making choices and trusting my tastes can work, even if I doubt my skills when not creating. Thanks!

[@adityatadoori8989]

Hey, just saw your set on le mellotron, mad respect for spreading knowledge bro

[@someoneontheweb4303]

This channel is so awesome

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Good stuff, cool vid, solid beat. Keep jamming

[@ritofuturito]

This is excellent! Very entertaining and educational 🎛🚀

[@matthewdavis473]

The JMB ping pong loop slice trick changed my life

[@kristianmock2404]

So sick

[@louiehudson7915]

Super underrated channel! Thanks for this bro

[@obscurewax]

fire.

[@madd2377]

Thank you for this. Usually I prefer shorter videos but this one being 30 minutes long was the right decision ! It became a daily routine of mine to watch or listen to your videos to get inspiration

[@DadAmongMen]

Your sincerity and clarity are so refreshing. Thanks!

[@jonmakesbeats]

Thank you this means a lot

[@avril1427]

beautiful video

[@capsuleghost]

Great bit of artist therapy here! Appreciate you giving up a peek at the thought process behind the decisions. Big respect for wanting to demystify the process and share it with people that feel intimidated

[@ChannelTomsMusic]

Totally agree with you 🙏

[@gardarmagnason]

Great tutorial! Walk through your process really helps a lot. That beat turned out niiice. That bass is smokin’!

[@tinkyy4516]

I think this is honestly your best video yet. And I've been feeling that way about the last several videos. Noticeable increase in quality. LOVE

[@jammin5252]

started listening to your rap couple of years ago, you madly talented! Super raps super beats, big luv

[@chriscipollone1246]

i like your content jon, i feel like you are just being you and you seem genuine and i like how you teach people and you have some great energy and good music

[@muffin9124]

this is dope

[@Sneezus420]

Jon, i love you man. Ive been a fan for a while and suddenly found your channel through the algo. Your voice is incredibly enjoyable to listen to and your videos are excellently crafted. Thank you for bringing me even more inspiration to sit inside the studio.

[@johnnydee6274]

The beginning part of the melody reminds me of Ray Cash's "Bumpin' my Music" but just in a different key

[@KANEMUSIC7]

Dude this is why i subbed.. you remembered me of something great man.. got a couple video’s of you saved up in my learning playlist!

[@NIVstrumentals]

Man!! Definitely needed this. Makes ya focus on having fun with being creative instead of worrying about perfection. Good sh!t, bruh!! Fire 🔥 beat!!

[@christophschumacher640]

Your channel is a real treasure. 😎👌🏻

[@KelMckeown1]

Great video. Love your open-ness and awesome to see the fun you have producing. Been a fan of your music for years and years and didn't realise you had some production vidoes on youtube - just stumbled across your channel by a comment you left on a Benn Jordan video :)

[@kitwarren2493]

Thanks for this man! All about getting your ego out of the way

[@ClearBlueHipHop]

This series is PURE GOLD. These are the videos I wish I had when I first started making beats.