How do I finish my tracks?

Q  " How do you write a song?"

"I tend to start off with a kick and bassline i like, then layer stuff over it, spread it out into phrases/sections like intro, build, killah bit, break but then kinda run out of steam and i dont know where to take it. i end up with lots of 2-3 minute bits of audio that sound cool but dont really form a song."

A  I get asked that a lot. It seems to be  the 64,000 dollar question that everybody wants to know.

Personally I find Thomas Edison's famous saying that goes "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration" to be true.

You are in the perspiration stage that's all.

In a way the inspiration is the easy bit. I find the work really starts after the initial flash of possibility. Pretty much anyone can have ideas. Bringing them into reality - realizing them - is what sorts the men out from the boys - in every single field of life - as far as I can tell.

Unfortunately I know of no other way than work, sweat, self-discipline, perseverance and having the commitment to finish what you started.

Furthermore I don't believe that there is another way.

That is probably not what you want to hear, but that is all there is to it. Bottom line is: you just have to keep at it until you have finished your track.

I also recommend cultivating the discipline of making sure that you finish all the tracks that you start until it becomes a habit.

If you are at the stage where you have a folder full of half finished ideas, I recommend the following discipline:

1.  Get clear in yourself that you are going to change this situation and that from now on you are in control.

2. Go through all the projects that you have half completed and choose (if any) the 3 most promising ideas. (You were inspired to create them and spent time on them so they must at least have some virtue.

3. Create a new folder and call it "Projects" (or whatever inspires you) then place the three best ideas into it.

4. Rename the original folder to "Music Ideas" and place the folder in a dusty corner of your hard drive.

5. Place the "Projects" folder somewhere accessible with a shortcut on your desktop.

6. Choose the your favourite one of your three ideas and see the whole thing through to completion.. Do NOT start any other projects until this is so.

7. Do the same with the next idea in youtr Projects folder. Again,  do NOT start any new projects until this is completed.

8. Lastly finish the third idea.

9. After this process is finished, you can either go to your "ideas" folder and choose a new idea to complete ( these are often valuable, as much work has often been done) or start a new project from scratch.

If you want to create, then one must cultivate self discipline. By following this to the letter, you will have accomplished two important things; not only will you end up with finished tracks, but you will learn a huge amount about what is actually required to produce music.

Best Wishes,

Bill

Cosmosis Music Webshop: http://cosmosis.bandcamp.com/