I could use some theoretical help...

[Nous]

Been a LOOOONG time since I've posted here. What's up, all?

My production load is increasing. I've got my ace, my best friend, about to score a deal. I've got another dude that I've been DYING to work with on board. Dude is a lyricist on a savant level. Like, the "Jay-Z, hear the beat, nod for 5-10 minutes, and go spit a classic" type shit.

My thing right now is, I've got a lot of stuff going on internally and externally. Changing jobs and apartments. Haven't even been listening to much hip-hop lately, not in that frame of mind. Anyways, I'm having lots of trouble making tracks. I think I'm trying WAY too hard. I used to have whole ideas for tracks in my head and it was just a matter of getting that out of my mind and onto the boards. Now, I start off and I can't keep a concept going. Nothing is good enough to me. The MAIN thing is that my drums have gotten very weak in concept and knock, and they aren't very cohesive.

What's a good way to get out of this funk? Like, what's another way to look at getting a good foundation for a track, or for a drum riff. I'm having a lot of trouble building right now.

I'm not looking for answers, I guess just alternate ways of looking at the same thing.

Much appreciated.

 

[J.Mctaw]

Try listening to a bunch of different types of music and getting ideas from those songs. Or maybe just step back for a minute and clear ya head.

 

[LDB]

Been a LOOOONG time since I've posted here. What's up, all?

My production load is increasing. I've got my ace, my best friend, about to score a deal. I've got another dude that I've been DYING to work with on board. Dude is a lyricist on a savant level. Like, the "Jay-Z, hear the beat, nod for 5-10 minutes, and go spit a classic" type shit.

My thing right now is, I've got a lot of stuff going on internally and externally. Changing jobs and apartments. Haven't even been listening to much hip-hop lately, not in that frame of mind. Anyways, I'm having lots of trouble making tracks. I think I'm trying WAY too hard. I used to have whole ideas for tracks in my head and it was just a matter of getting that out of my mind and onto the boards. Now, I start off and I can't keep a concept going. Nothing is good enough to me. The MAIN thing is that my drums have gotten very weak in concept and knock, and they aren't very cohesive.

What's a good way to get out of this funk? Like, what's another way to look at getting a good foundation for a track, or for a drum riff. I'm having a lot of trouble building right now.

I'm not looking for answers, I guess just alternate ways of looking at the same thing.

Much appreciated.

This is guaranteed to work.....find some tracks old or new that you like from your favorite producers. Now try and remake these tracks. More than likely u won't remake them the same and u can use those tracks to sell or hit your homies off with. Not to mention it should get u back on track as far as your drum patterns.....let me know what u think

 

[Nous]

Not too comfortable with doing that, Drama...

I mean, I'd duplicate the drum patterns, maybe, but the whole beat? Nah.

Then, passing it off as mine? Hell nah.

thanks for the suggestion though

 

[LDB]

Not too comfortable with doing that, Drama...

I mean, I'd duplicate the drum patterns, maybe, but the whole beat? Nah.

Then, passing it off as mine? Hell nah.

thanks for the suggestion though

that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is usually when u do that..it comes out as something totally diff't...anyway it's just to get u over the hump. U r having producer block. Do your thing though..someone here will probably offer u better advice.

 

[slik da relic]

go to tha club... go to open mics... go to beat battles... find some battles on youtube, some are right here at Illmuzik... all of this can become instant inspiration... always worx for me, especially the club.

da relic

 

[Nous]

It's a mental thing. I have no musical direction right now. It's like, I don't know what I'm working towards when I'm making tracks. So it's either not good enough, or it's not "what I want."

 

[God]

Man, I haven't logged on in ages either.

You have a couple things working against you-- creating this producer's block.

1. Personal situation
Moving and other personal matters that cost you time and stress you out will have an impact when coupled with...

2. Anticipation
You FINALLY landed the artist you wanted-- finally cut a deal with him and he's on board ready to produce. But, maybe you're second guessing, or you don't want to "fail" so you keep procrastinating or finding excuses why things aren't as good as they used to be. This protects you from believing that you "gave it your all" during production, and if you fail with the artist, you are protected from feelings of guilt. You might be self-sabotaging.

3. Getting back into it
You have to switch to your right brain (artistic side.) Do this by listening to a lot of music, not just hip-hop, but world music, jazz, anything that you can start humming a rhythm to or making a beat. Take existing songs, like one of the new Timbaland joints, and dissect it, see how he arranged it in his DAW. How did he split up the sounds, how did he map out the song. Challenge yourself to copy his beat patterns. The ultimate point is NOT to make a copy of a Timbaland track (or whatever track of your choosing) but getting your mind to think like a producer again-- to think like the creative mind that you are.

Also-- watch out for the women problems... you have to stay focused. Remember, there's always a hungrier cat out there than you waiting to take your spot. The market is oversaturated with hip-hop producers (that ultimately bring down the price of a track) that you have to push hard to get tracks in the hands of the right people.

Keep sharpening that samurai sword-- you need to get back in the game and do what you've always done best.

Late,
God

 

[Nous]

Of course God would give me great answers. Thanks for that.

I'm what you call a procrastinating perfectionist. Problem #1. But, i want perfection in every step of the process sometimes, and that can be a hindrance. Yeah, I listen to music all day, every day. I'm mostly listening to Alternative/Rock right now. Dunno if that's hurting me as far as hip-hop/r&b production. But, yeah, I'll look at some tracks to dissect. Hopefully, my brain isn't too fragmented to do even THAT.

 

[Haze47]

i dunno man, try making a beat with a techno drum pattern (boom, boom, boom, boom), like shit loads of layered kicks, then when you are listening to it you can see where you want your sanre or extra kicks and hats, because whatever you make with techno drums is always headnod, becuase it so goddam repetative, i dunno just an idea....

 

[bigdmakintrax]

Hey man as far as the drums, do you have any good live bands around the area? i mean solid? you would be surprised at what your ear might pick up on in a closed club atmosphere with a live Jazz band, whether it is Rock, Jazz, Soul or Neo....you have to really know how drummers do it, IMO there is nothing like live music, i use absolutely no loops, i play drums but coming up with patterns should be relatively easy....there are only so many basic patterns you find especially if you are doing hip hop joints....keep that basic and you will be ok...breakdowns and changes might be another thing though.

for the creative funk you are in, man it will work itself out, one day you will sit down and the beats will start coming to you....do you play simple melodies? try constructing some melodies or basslines then build....when i moved it threw my whole production routine off, and honestly its been about 6 months and i am still in it too LOL
Good luck

 

[Nous]

Thanks 4 the help and suggestions, guys. Much appreciated.