Digressions: Making music revisited
Yet another post in the digression series. These are essays, opinions etc on ideas, concepts etc that are not just music focused. That isn't to say there isn't a connection to music. It just might be tangential.
If you see the tag, digressions and don't want to read my rambling thoughts on things like capitalism etc, then skip away.
In 2024 I attempted to restart making music by buying a semi-modular synth (Neutron) and enrolling in an online modular synthesis class. A class as of yet, I have not completed (but I will). So, for the most part, 2024 was a false start.
And now, I am starting again but this time I think it will take hold and that I will produce something – even if it is one track. So what is different? My perspective has changed and I wish I had come to this sooner – not just in music but in many things,
The perspective change? Forget about what everyone else thinks. It does not matter – the creation of art does not have to be for others. It can be just for you and if you are able to share it, all the better but it is not necessary. In the end it does not matter if you produce trash or a masterpiece (as defined by others). It is the enjoyment you receive from the creation of your art. This can be taken one step further in that it can be applied to all kinds of activities. Do not let your limited abilities stop you from doing something you love and if others scoff at you, then F them. And who knows, over time you might get good at it. In other words, it is the cliche, it is the journey not the destination. So damn corny but it doesn't make it any less true.
Now that I have gone all motivational speaker, lets talk about my idea/concept behind what I want to create. For a long time, I let my lack of musicianship stop me from doing any further musical endeavors. That is, to be a real "whatever" you gotta be able to do X thing or make these kinds of beats/loops. And of course, any accomplishments were just accidents. A lucky fraud but still a fraud.
But what if that isn't the point. What if the point is simply creating something out of sound for yourself (How Punk is That?), so that you connect to something larger. I truly believe that deep listening to music/sound connects you to something beyond yourself and can help pierce the veil. As such, I believe that the creation of music/sound can also connect you but I believe that this connection is different. It is still something larger but from a different direction and a different outcome. I have yet to truly grasp this because I have let myself hold me back (not that there weren't moments). I realize there is nothing new here but I just came to it recently.
If you have read this far (lol like anyone reads this) then you are probably interested in my concept. It might not be original but it isn't a cop out. The theme behind the pieces I want to produce is Music From A Parallel world. What if you could throw out all conventions and just create? That is the pretentious question I want to answer (lol – you are high). I don't just want to manipulate sound, I also want to take new approaches for me. For example, start experimenting with mics. What can be produced from then and what different non standard ways can they be utilized? It will be slow but I will get there. I am excited by the idea of just creating.
The building blocks and the equipment are there, I just need to start. When I do, I will link to the results here.
Photo by Daniel De Los Santos, Denver Colorado