Comments on: Work vs Play. How do you deal?

By: Richter

Richter — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:08:21 +0000

Chris, i did in a similar way when i was teen and i was studying at Conservatory.
Finding a balance on those days was not easy,because in the morning i was at High School,then in the afternoon i had lessons in conservatory four days at week (piano and composition).
Besides i was also a classical concertist and that required me enough time to pratice at home and with orchestras,which really took a lot of my time.

I agree with you when it’s better compose at night: indeed i work in my studio after 18.00
I don’t agree completely when you say it’s better pratice piano in the morning.
Definitely it’s good for your mind,not so much for hand and arms muscles and tendons,which are at fully power only in the afternoon.

At least that’s my experience and what many other professional concertists on those days used to do.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:43:49 +0000

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the different perspectives.

Im in teaching having nothing else to do with my music degree -I enjoy it but it is a compromise to do what I want. This works well I think for many musicians because of all the holiday breaks. Depends on the stressfulness of the school. But currently I work 3 days a week and in a couple of bands. Im also learning the piano as a serious student 20-30 hrs a week, because I believe I need to learn more.
I’ve always struggled with practice as a musician and being a composer or creator of music. Balancing these two is difficult especially considering that it’s not really worth practicing unless you do it every day. Composition can be similar. I remember one of the writers for motown talking about how he never takes a break from writing for too long.
Currently practicing in the morning and day are best and composition at night. This works well until I realize I have no time for anything else in my life! Life balance is hard!

Any others here who are trying to a similar sort of thing?

Thanks!

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:08 +0000

Hi Jesse… as you can tell by the blog I’m a superfan of your company. I’m trying to get to the NYC Ableton User Group… if your ever at one and you notice me… say hello!

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:58:10 +0000

That’s true… I suspect it would be much harder to try and be a successful musician later in life after working full time for years. Before my new job I had enough day time to learn how to make music (the skill side of things anyway ;) … and that stuff is like riding a bicycle, you mostly don’t forget it.

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:55:11 +0000

Hey thanks… appreciated!

By: Darren

Darren — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:49:35 +0000

I’ve tried to make both my job and my life about music. I did music 24/7 for 5 years and spent too long making my 4th record and had to take a day job. I managed to turn that into a used/vintage gear shop with my studio around the back. I can record bands and work on my own stuff so I now have a good balance. Interaction with other musos, money and time to work on my stuff. Now if I could make the day longer and eliminate sleep it’d be perfect.

By: James Lewin

James Lewin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:55:26 +0000

Oliver

Great story – and it sounds like a interesting job, making money helping people save money by doing things more efficiently.

Sounds like they are cool with your secret life, too.

Looking forward to hearing more about this side of your life!

By: Pascal

Pascal — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:04:30 +0000

Making music on top of a day job is hard but very possible I think. Everything takes just so much time.
I find that I get most of my ideas when commuting and working. Until recently, most of these went to waste because I could not remember them when I had a chance to make music. Then I started to write down everything that came into my mind at the moment it came. Now every evening, I sit down and re-write those ideas in a note book which I use as a great source of inspiration. So for me, making music is not constrained to the time I actually sit at my computer and I try to use anything that happen while I’m at work.
On the other end, getting things done and tracks finished is another matter and requires time and dedication. So mostly a couple of hours every evening during the week and part of the weekend nights.
Finally, I would say that the most frustrating thing is to have to stop making music when you should go to bed because of work the day after and that’s precisely the time when you’re in a creative mood and things start flowing freely.

By: Jesse Terry

Jesse Terry — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:11:01 +0000

I work at Ableton which is tricky — I want to use Live 8 for making music, but have to balance myself and make sure I’m not in an Ableton headspace 100% of the time, or it can feel like work never stops. I also have the problem where I’ll know about the cool new features and want nothing but to work in the Live, but actually spend most of my time in Entourage :/
Finding a balance with my fiance and cooking and enjoying life is important to me too. I’m finding a lot of music time from 10-1am currently, but have to be vigilant or it doesn’t happen.
Jesse

By: shane fontane

shane fontane — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:24:35 +0000

here’s a recnt quote i fell in love with… interpret it as you will :)

“You have to be grateful everyday that you have this opportunity – Cause you have been given a very rare gift to be allowed to succeed…”

go big homie!