Build a Comfortable Environment for Creative Music

Find a comfortable place where you can cultivate your Imagination

I find many places to relax and contemplate new ideas for my music. The more comfortable the environment, the more creative I can be. I can let my imagination take my music somewhere new and different. I have a sunny room overlooking the garden dedicated to reading and music. Also, there is an extensive library and a wonderful baby-grand piano in ivory that lifts my spirit.

I started out as a piano player. However, I find singing is easier while playing guitar. Because both can be expressive, I often record tracks for each while working on a new composition. This music room is quiet, out of the way, and ideal for strumming and playing arpeggios on the keyboard. I will go back and forth between instruments as I work on the lyrics, rhythm, and chord progressions.

There is a separate studio for recording my singing, additional guitar tracks, and for mixing and mastering. I’ll include more of that with an upcoming post. However, I would rather by here by the piano. File transfers between my desktop and laptop help me to continue the creative process. I write down the music and lyrics using 2 separate programs – MuseScore and SongBook.

I complete the composition going back and forth between instruments and notation programs, and get out a recording for copyright purposes. After filing for a copyright I can continue to refine the recordings by adding new tracks or hiring a backup singer. I developed a system for gradually adding ingredients, analogous to making a stew.

The saying goes “Too Many Cooks”, so I need to return to my sanctuary frequently to get my new song back on track. Sometimes I just read and take a nap.