So this is going to be a long thread but bear with me, it's at least going to be a fun read if nothing more 
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So at the beginning of 2021, I decided to fully focus on making music. And a year or so later, I figured it's a good checkpoint to share some of the things I've learned as I make somewhat of a comeback here:
).So at the beginning of 2021, I decided to fully focus on making music. And a year or so later, I figured it's a good checkpoint to share some of the things I've learned as I make somewhat of a comeback here:
- There are no shortcuts to sounding good - in the beginning, I was kinda lazy and focused on the results instead of the process; as a result, I used a lot of MIDI in places I shouldn't have, and while it sounded...good, it didn't sound natural; the only way to truly sound good is to record those damn guitars and only use MIDI in places where it could still work nicely (piano, strings, bass, drums); but you gotta make sure you humanize those notes; I learned that the hard way
- What you want to write and sing may be wildly different than what you CAN write and sing - like many around here, I like Avenged Sevenfold, a lot; probably wouldn't be here if I didn't; and as much as I want to sing like M Shadows, at least at this moment in time, I can't; my voice is that of a baritone, which tends to sound better in the lower register (think Bono of U2, Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran, Ghost, sort of anyway, etc. ); and while I can reach high notes through training, it's a bit difficult to make my voice sound as full without recording takes at lower octaves to add fullness to those damn lyrics )
- You cannot work around double-tracking your rhythm guitars - this is non-negotiable; I tried everything imaginable; you can't skip this step if you want your guitars to sound good
- Music production is probably more important than what you write - this one's self-explanatory, but if your song sounds like a turd, no one's going to listen to it; not even you; music production is also a separate job on its own; and you gotta learn how to do it
- The process is more important than the result - I hate that I have to agree with this one, I really do, but if you don't enjoy the process of recording your songs and producing them, it's going to make things a lot harder; it becomes easier to manage because, if you keep going and improving, you will start seeing amazing results from one song to the next
- You need people to collab with - I hereby NOT summon someone from this lovely school that has managed to transform me from a wannabe musician to someone that can make actual full-fledged songs sound decent and figure out where they need improving; that student is mine, I'm keeping him ) ; I mean, if he sees this and replies, that's on him, but I'm still keeping him \s; seriously though, another set of ears will help immensely;
- Keep your ego in check - being proud of what you do is crucial, but don't let ego get in the way of allowing outside feedback that would help improve your craft; everybody deals with this one, me included, and it's a lot of work to keep it in check
- People will judge the shit out of you - people will say you should get a real job and won't support you until it's cool to do so; never forget those who were at your side when you were no one (I hereby NOT summon another member from this community);
- Social media is a cesspool that you must use in some form or another - I hate social media a lot, but it's honestly one of the few ways I can actually get people I don't know to listen to my stuff so...yeah
- Last but not least, you will inevitably sound like other bands - another non negotiable one, sorry; you can use that as help to figure out which fans you could target in your social media stuff though
Especially the Sound Production one, a great producer can make a great tune out ot a good tune for sure
