Thoughts and ideas are like schoolchildren.
For several hours a day they need to be regulated, seated in neat rows, organized and called upon to give the answers. They need the structure to develop discipline and patience.
They need recess. To go outside and run around. Free from constraints and rules. They need to yell, fall down, make new friends, climb trees.
And every child needs to rebel; to disobey just for the sake of being independent. It does not mean that they are bad kids, only that they are starting to desire autonomy.
26 February 2010
12 February 2010
The Importance of Being Organized
More and more it strikes me that organization is a key component to greatness, even in the arts. Perhaps especially in the arts where the majority of practitioners are reclusive, egomaniacal or flighty.
Talent is comparably easy to find. As are willing parties. The tough part is the meticulous organization that is so well thought out that it is transparent. No one should ever feel the stricture of the planning other than the way in which time spent is uncommonly productive and always moving forward.
Often the talent and human assets of a production are left to their own devices, or consulting is done on the spot to decide which direction to take given the circumstances. This is a waste of time and resources.
Organization and planning should be done ahead of time with significant thought given to all potential problems. This will make the best use of everyone's time. There is no better way to keep morale high and loyalty strong.
Talent is comparably easy to find. As are willing parties. The tough part is the meticulous organization that is so well thought out that it is transparent. No one should ever feel the stricture of the planning other than the way in which time spent is uncommonly productive and always moving forward.
Often the talent and human assets of a production are left to their own devices, or consulting is done on the spot to decide which direction to take given the circumstances. This is a waste of time and resources.
Organization and planning should be done ahead of time with significant thought given to all potential problems. This will make the best use of everyone's time. There is no better way to keep morale high and loyalty strong.
10 February 2010
Book Worth Reading - Making Records
Phil Ramone is one of the great record producers of our time. He has made so many that are classics that it is hard to keep count. Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon... the list goes on and on.
As a recording engineer and producer, Ramone is unparalleled. The clarity and power that he brings to the instruments and voices on his records is enviable. So any nuggets of recording wisdom that he shares are ones that I am more than happy to listen to.
The book occasionally gets bogged down by excessive praise of some of the artists, though I can hardly fault him for that. The value of the book is in his technical and personal reveals throughout the book - how to deal with people and equipment to make great recordings.
He recommends separating microphones by usage. Do not use the kick drum mic on vocals, keep the string mic on the strings. He also mentions one particular time when Bob Dylan purposefully infuriated a session player in order to get an inspired performance.
These little tidbits, along with an occasional glimpse into the artistic process of people like Billy Joel and Paul Simon make the book Making Records worth the time it takes to read, which is not much. It is relatively short and quick, with accessible prose and interesting stories.
As a recording engineer and producer, Ramone is unparalleled. The clarity and power that he brings to the instruments and voices on his records is enviable. So any nuggets of recording wisdom that he shares are ones that I am more than happy to listen to.
The book occasionally gets bogged down by excessive praise of some of the artists, though I can hardly fault him for that. The value of the book is in his technical and personal reveals throughout the book - how to deal with people and equipment to make great recordings.
He recommends separating microphones by usage. Do not use the kick drum mic on vocals, keep the string mic on the strings. He also mentions one particular time when Bob Dylan purposefully infuriated a session player in order to get an inspired performance.
These little tidbits, along with an occasional glimpse into the artistic process of people like Billy Joel and Paul Simon make the book Making Records worth the time it takes to read, which is not much. It is relatively short and quick, with accessible prose and interesting stories.
09 February 2010
The Beauty of Collaboration
There are few things more wonderful than experiencing a final product that is larger than the sum of its parts. Especially if your work is one of the parts.
As good as we may be at what we do, it is almost always beneficial to work alongside others who are great at what they do. Collaborating is how most art becomes transcendent - beyond the capabilities of one person.
The type of collaboration that is most fruitful crosses the expertise line. Make use of those who are good at something different than you. If you sing, find a great piano player. If you sing and play piano, find a great producer or engineer to work the magic on your recordings.
It can be redundant and frustrating to be in cahoots with those who have similar skill sets. It does not take much for creative people to step on each other's toes. So find people with different areas of expertise and do your part of the job exceptionally. With any luck your collaborators will do the same.
As good as we may be at what we do, it is almost always beneficial to work alongside others who are great at what they do. Collaborating is how most art becomes transcendent - beyond the capabilities of one person.
The type of collaboration that is most fruitful crosses the expertise line. Make use of those who are good at something different than you. If you sing, find a great piano player. If you sing and play piano, find a great producer or engineer to work the magic on your recordings.
It can be redundant and frustrating to be in cahoots with those who have similar skill sets. It does not take much for creative people to step on each other's toes. So find people with different areas of expertise and do your part of the job exceptionally. With any luck your collaborators will do the same.
08 February 2010
Master of None
One of the disadvantages of having so much information and diversion readily available on the internet is that people use it. We are a curious species, and it has become so simple to appease ourselves by frenetically searching the internet.
Sometimes this ability is put to great use, quickly locating information and even research to forward an idea or conversation. But often it is used as a distraction and acts to prevent us from building focus or expertise.
Building expert knowledge or skill in an area takes time and focus. Years are dedicated to research, study and practice. As a generation grows who has never known life without YouTube or hand held video games, this focus is dissipating.
Expertise, especially artistically, requires either exceptional focus that usually stems from passion or neurosis. It is no wonder that artists have the stigma of being slightly insane. Most people do not understand the frame of mind and life that it takes to build expertise, much less creativity.
Creativity, whether it be in a musician, a painter or an electrical engineer, requires knowledge and confidence to try what has never been tried before. Who will build that expertise when there is such ready distraction on the world wide web.
Sometimes this ability is put to great use, quickly locating information and even research to forward an idea or conversation. But often it is used as a distraction and acts to prevent us from building focus or expertise.
Building expert knowledge or skill in an area takes time and focus. Years are dedicated to research, study and practice. As a generation grows who has never known life without YouTube or hand held video games, this focus is dissipating.
Expertise, especially artistically, requires either exceptional focus that usually stems from passion or neurosis. It is no wonder that artists have the stigma of being slightly insane. Most people do not understand the frame of mind and life that it takes to build expertise, much less creativity.
Creativity, whether it be in a musician, a painter or an electrical engineer, requires knowledge and confidence to try what has never been tried before. Who will build that expertise when there is such ready distraction on the world wide web.
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