I have friends that are the most talented writers and musical composers I know. When I first met each one of them, I knew there was something different within them. It was them from whom I learnt How to play timbales and guitar. At the time I didn’t know what they were. I was just really intrigued and drawn to them. It was almost like they were a star and I was a random piece of space matter that happened to get stuck in their gravitational pull.
It was a good gravity though. One I wanted. It didn’t weigh me down. It did the opposite actually. As they drew me closer, they lifted me up. To this day, they me in awe and inspired each time I meet with them.
These people in my life really helped me understand why I should write music, but not worry about playing live shows. Writing music should not be about gathering fans or showing off in front of others. It’s about embracing the sounds we have the ability to create. The idea that we can take silence and make an audible idea is astounding to me.
Here are a few reasons why I write with no intentions of playing in a live setting.
It removes barriers.
For the longest time I was writing music with the idea that I had to be able to replicate sounds all by myself or the writing was pointless. I struggled with letting my creativity just grow and go beyond being one musician and recognized that letting myself write parallel parts helped me grow as a composer. Removing the cage let my ideas blossom.
It reminds you that your music should be personal.
Rather than focusing on a live performance and all the mechanics you can focus on how it truly makes you feel. Music is the most emotional part of my life and I never want to let the be less than that. The songs I write reveal thoughts and feelings I don’t know how to describe in words. I like to let my music tell my story. Lyrics aren’t always necessary.
It challenges you.
Despite it making the writing process easier, challenges can still happen. The more complex you write, the harder it can be to tame the beast. It teaches you a lot about recording music, how instruments can support each other and so much more. Not to mention, if you ever ended up wanting to play it live, it provides a new challenge not only for you, but for all of the great talented people you will have to work with to make it possible.
Writing music needs to be more about ideas an emotions and less about business. Write what you love and make sure you are content with the music itself and not just the fans, the fortune and distractions.
Below is a song I am working on right now. It’s a work in progress and I’m loving every step of the way.
I really get where you’re coming from with this, man. I don’t know what it is, but just creating something and putting out there to go and have its own journey, is pretty great. It remains deeply personal as you created it, but other’s can create their own perceptions and connections without ever having to think of the image that’s created by playing it live. It certainly has its merits.
That said, it’s always nice to jam it out with a few friends and if it’s for others to vibe with then that can be nice once in a while. Would love to jam in the future!
I love that new piece and I look forward to hearing more. I agree that sometimes the music is enough without words. Some of the most played pieces on my playlists have no lyrics at all.
Thanks Adam! Glad to hear from you! It’s been a while man.
That’s the awesome thing about music. I was with a friend over the weekend and he said music should be enjoyed together. It can be either personal or communal. I agree with both. Sometimes I just like to sing or play myself because like you said, it can release feelings you can’t express otherwise. Then there are times where you jam with friends and with everyone putting their own personality or contributing to the feel of the moment and something new and amazing and wonderful happens. All cool stuff!
Absolutely!