#musicianproblems — Public Fediverse posts

Gang, help. How do you have energy to DO stuff? Like-

I have a solid 3 or 4, could be more, "projects" I'd like to devote regular time to. On top of work, I can do about one "extra" thing a day. And even on weekends I'm RECOVERING to my energy to available time ratio is technically even lower.

Just… maybe I wouldn't hate my stupid miserable life so much if I could ACCOMPLISH some of these GOALS and DREAMS. Like music - I could be recording and releasing but - physical energy, emotional energy, SUSTAINED AND SUSTAINABLE energy, I have none.

Gang, help. How do you have energy to DO stuff? Like-

I have a solid 3 or 4, could be more, "projects" I'd like to devote regular time to. On top of work, I can do about one "extra" thing a day. And even on weekends I'm RECOVERING to my energy to available time ratio is technically even lower.

Just… maybe I wouldn't hate my stupid miserable life so much if I could ACCOMPLISH some of these GOALS and DREAMS. Like music - I could be recording and releasing but - physical energy, emotional energy, SUSTAINED AND SUSTAINABLE energy, I have none.

Daaaaanng it.

I've done it again. In an attempt to loosen up on the "but I don't have that notebook with me" perfectionism, I've scattered my song writing / song revising systems too far and wide.
I've allowed myself to spread out over a couple apps, lots of texting to myself, only a couple(!) notebooks, and at worst, some index cards (which are paperclipped into bundles and kept all together in a Ziplock. i do draw the line at random scraps of paper.)
Now, I had a good line the other day. And it paired well with another line I'd had floating around.
And I know I wrote it down. Like, solid 98% taking "being interrupted so brain ticked task as complete based on intention and initiation" into consideration. But I really do tend to remember that I've actually written things down — because it happens so rarely!!

And I can't find it. I've looked everywhere. If past logical me agrees with present logical me, we would have added it to the old line somewhere instead of creating a new random orphaned idea. But that older line already exists in a dozen locations due to revisions and digital vs paper… OR what if practicality and this feck perfuctionism! thing won out, and I just got it out my brain before I forgot it. Full Columbo with a Picasso sketch on the napkin routine… in terms of act first, think later.

Oh well. I was managing to beat some lyrics out myself but I wanted to track down that damn line and now… Well, tonight the white noise sounds like ME just continuously singing one long note. Oh wait, there's some overtones in there. I can't tell you the pitch of your vacuum cleaner, but I can detect an entire choir from the frequencies of a box fan.

I'll say it again: UPNOTE NEEDS A WEB VERSION!!!

It's bad enough having to claw through my protective walls to write emotionally authentic lyrics… … and when I've crossed that bridge there's another chasm in front of me called "YOU'RE JUST A MEDIOCRE INSTRUMENTALIST, YOU NEED OTHER MUSICIANS TO ACHIEVE THE SOUND IN YOUR HEAD." 🥲

It's hard enough getting my meter/emphasis to match in V1 and V2, but in my latest song the rhyme schemes absolutely do not match… and it's like… am I being lazy? Do I need to polish it until it "follows the rules"? Especially since I'm not, ya know, "prolific" enough to break the rules? Or is that just… my thing, and the song is what it is?

I definitely prefer being more loose with my rhymes to FORCING an awkward or lazy rhyme… but… when do I earn permission to just completely freewheel it? Where's the line between structure and playing with the structure and just "might as well have no structure"?

@otheorange_tag 🎻 #MusicianProblems

Huh. That makes me wonder -- and YOU are the perfect one to ask:

if you are right handed, do you bow with your right? And finger the strings with your left? #BaroqueSun

@otheorange_tag 🎻 #MusicianProblems

Huh. That makes me wonder -- and YOU are the perfect one to ask:

if you are right handed, do you bow with your right? And finger the strings with your left? #BaroqueSun

Am I the only one who when I play someone else's bass with high action, I'm like, what the fuck are you doin'? I get it, you're use to it but ever cense I lowered mine, I never looked back! Same goes for guitars. #musicianLife #musictalk #musicianproblems

I was playing back my latest mix and thinking hmm, everything sounds so crisp and clean and...separated. Guess I'm gonna have to throw some more reverb on this to glue it all together!

And then I discovered I had turned off ALL THE REVERBS. 😂 😬 :catPOWER:

#MusicProduction #Mixing #MusicianProblems #ADHDMusicians #ADHD

I was playing back my latest mix and thinking hmm, everything sounds so crisp and clean and...separated. Guess I'm gonna have to throw some more reverb on this to glue it all together!

And then I discovered I had turned off ALL THE REVERBS. 😂 😬 :catPOWER:

#MusicProduction #Mixing #MusicianProblems #ADHDMusicians #ADHD

I’ve gone from “I have so many ideas for this song!”

to

“I am so sick of working on this song!”

#MusicProduction #ADHDMusicians #ADHD #MusicianProblems #musicians

I’ve gone from “I have so many ideas for this song!”

to

“I am so sick of working on this song!”

#MusicProduction #ADHDMusicians #ADHD #MusicianProblems #musicians

Yes I suffer for my art but so does my spouse b/c he works from home and he can’t move about freely or use the bathroom while I’m recording vocals. :sadness:

(The kitties do not suffer for my art; they do whatever tf they want, and I have to just work around them.) :catPOWER:

#MusicProduction #MusiciansCats #Recording #DIYMusic #BedroomProducer #WFH #WorkFromHome #MusicianProblems

Yes I suffer for my art but so does my spouse b/c he works from home and he can’t move about freely or use the bathroom while I’m recording vocals. :sadness:

(The kitties do not suffer for my art; they do whatever tf they want, and I have to just work around them.) :catPOWER:

#MusicProduction #MusiciansCats #Recording #DIYMusic #BedroomProducer #WFH #WorkFromHome #MusicianProblems

I know for a fact it’s a violation of city ordinance for people to make noise over a certain distance/decibel level, and yet the neighbors who moved in behind us apparently are running a car/auto body shop out of their backyard. It’s been a constant, grinding, metal-against-metal high frequency sound assaulting my ears all day. 🙄 😭

I understand the occasional music or neighbor doing incidental repairs w/loud machinery, but this is next level.

#LoudNeighbors #MusicProduction #MusicianProblems

I know for a fact it’s a violation of city ordinance for people to make noise over a certain distance/decibel level, and yet the neighbors who moved in behind us apparently are running a car/auto body shop out of their backyard. It’s been a constant, grinding, metal-against-metal high frequency sound assaulting my ears all day. 🙄 😭

I understand the occasional music or neighbor doing incidental repairs w/loud machinery, but this is next level.

#LoudNeighbors #MusicProduction #MusicianProblems

Just lost 15 minutes of work due to #Ableton crashing. All I was doing was moving tracks around to better organize. 🙄

And it keeps crashing when I try to recover my work. Is it gonna be one of those days? :sadness:

#MusicProduction #MusicianProblems #Today

Just lost 15 minutes of work due to #Ableton crashing. All I was doing was moving tracks around to better organize. 🙄

And it keeps crashing when I try to recover my work. Is it gonna be one of those days? :sadness:

#MusicProduction #MusicianProblems #Today

Going through old Ableton projects, and apparently I have a WIP called "I Would Die For Baby Yoda." 😂

It's...fun! It's got an industrial-esque beat underneath a cheerful, metallic melody. :pensive_party_blob: :catjam:

#MusicProductioin #Ableton #MusicianProblems #IndustrialMusic #BabyYoda #Mandalorian #TheMandalorian #StarWars

Going through old Ableton projects, and apparently I have a WIP called "I Would Die For Baby Yoda." 😂

It's...fun! It's got an industrial-esque beat underneath a cheerful, metallic melody. :pensive_party_blob: :catjam:

#MusicProductioin #Ableton #MusicianProblems #IndustrialMusic #BabyYoda #Mandalorian #TheMandalorian #StarWars

Shout out to @nigelharpur for buying my two songs on Bandcamp yesterday! I was having a day full of frustration and self-doubt as I work on my latest track. Thank you so much for reminding me why I do this; you made me feel like a rock star.

But you're the real rock star!

#MusiciansSupportingMusicians #MusicianThoughts #MusicianProblems #Beyonce #RockStar #IndieMusic #IndiePop #Bandcamp

Shout out to @nigelharpur for buying my two songs on Bandcamp yesterday! I was having a day full of frustration and self-doubt as I work on my latest track. Thank you so much for reminding me why I do this; you made me feel like a rock star.

But you're the real rock star!

#MusiciansSupportingMusicians #MusicianThoughts #MusicianProblems #Beyonce #RockStar #IndieMusic #IndiePop #Bandcamp

Also, don't yank on the microphone stand to adjust it to your height. That will wear it out and eventually it won't work at all. The twisty knobs are there for a reason.

#Music #MusicProduction #LiveMusic #LiveSound #SoundEngineer #LiveShows #MusicShow #Microphone #MusicMeme #MicDrop #MusicianThoughts #MusicianProblems #MusicGear

Also, don't yank on the microphone stand to adjust it to your height. That will wear it out and eventually it won't work at all. The twisty knobs are there for a reason.

#Music #MusicProduction #LiveMusic #LiveSound #SoundEngineer #LiveShows #MusicShow #Microphone #MusicMeme #MicDrop #MusicianThoughts #MusicianProblems #MusicGear

#MusicianProblems
I hate how when I play one of my wind instruments, the sound seems shrill and harsh (because my ears are 6 inches from the sound) but then I listen to a recording and it's like "oh, I guess I have learned to play okay..."

#MusicianProblems
I hate how when I play one of my wind instruments, the sound seems shrill and harsh (because my ears are 6 inches from the sound) but then I listen to a recording and it's like "oh, I guess I have learned to play okay..."

Neighbors are playing all their favorite hits this morning (making it impossible to record), like

-lawnmower

-leaf blower

-power washer

-Butt Rock (while working on car)

#MusicianProblems #FirstWorldProblems #MusicProducer #LoudNeighbors
#MusicProduction #MusicRecording #Recording #Music #LawnCare #Neighborhood #BedroomProducer #IndieMusic #IndiePop #HappyFriday

Neighbors are playing all their favorite hits this morning (making it impossible to record), like

-lawnmower

-leaf blower

-power washer

-Butt Rock (while working on car)

#MusicianProblems #FirstWorldProblems #MusicProducer #LoudNeighbors
#MusicProduction #MusicRecording #Recording #Music #LawnCare #Neighborhood #BedroomProducer #IndieMusic #IndiePop #HappyFriday

I took my trombone and guitar to several shops and no one wanted them. Ended up donating to Goodwill. I really hope they end up in a nice home. #Grieving #MusicianProblems

I took my trombone and guitar to several shops and no one wanted them. Ended up donating to Goodwill. I really hope they end up in a nice home. #Grieving #MusicianProblems

An entire day spent uploading sound libraries I had already uploaded (but to the wrong place). 😭

#Music #MusicProduction #MusicProducerProblems #MusicianProblems #ADHDers #ADHDmemes #NeuroDiverseSquad #NeuroDiverse #NeuroDivergent #ADHD

An entire day spent uploading sound libraries I had already uploaded (but to the wrong place). 😭

#Music #MusicProduction #MusicProducerProblems #MusicianProblems #ADHDers #ADHDmemes #NeuroDiverseSquad #NeuroDiverse #NeuroDivergent #ADHD

Me, Saturday while playing 3.5 hours over 2 gigs: "Oh f***, my D-string (no, not my G-string) is coming undone at the bridge! I hope it survives! I should change it ASAP!" (｀･ω･´)

Me, Monday at 18:00: "Oh yeah, the set of strings (ouch, my wallet) arrived. I should get the D-string changed so it can get the majority of its stretching done overnight." (・∀・)

Me, Tuesday at 04:00 (an hour ago): Sleep? Nah, now would be a perfect time to change that string and practice getting the double-stops, shifts, and fingerings on Kass' Theme worked out!" (*‘ω‘ *)

Why do I have to feel the most motivated and productive in the wee hours of the morning orz
(I'm also terribly thankful to whoever invented the practice mute for violins because, as supportive as my roommates are, unmuted practice at 04:00 maaaay have been a bit much (≧∀≦))

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems

Me, Saturday while playing 3.5 hours over 2 gigs: "Oh f***, my D-string (no, not my G-string) is coming undone at the bridge! I hope it survives! I should change it ASAP!" (｀･ω･´)

Me, Monday at 18:00: "Oh yeah, the set of strings (ouch, my wallet) arrived. I should get the D-string changed so it can get the majority of its stretching done overnight." (・∀・)

Me, Tuesday at 04:00 (an hour ago): Sleep? Nah, now would be a perfect time to change that string and practice getting the double-stops, shifts, and fingerings on Kass' Theme worked out!" (*‘ω‘ *)

Why do I have to feel the most motivated and productive in the wee hours of the morning orz
(I'm also terribly thankful to whoever invented the practice mute for violins because, as supportive as my roommates are, unmuted practice at 04:00 maaaay have been a bit much (≧∀≦))

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems

I posted the following while down with covid about a month ago:
---------------------------------
-get sick for a week (still positive (｡ŏ﹏ŏ))
-keep windows slightly open for circulation
- #pdxtst : "alright, folks, the snow's here (・∀・)"
-me: "I'm sorry, theヽ(｀Д´#)ﾉWHAT!?"
---------------------------------
Now, I had a lolita fashion hanami event that I was supposed to play for this coming weekend. Anybody want to guess what mother nature seems to think is *perfect* hanami weather?
(｡ŏ﹏ŏ)

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems

Doing vocal comping on this track has taken way longer than I expected. But I'm finally getting to eat some corned beef and cabbage for a belated St. Patrick's Day dinner. And Instant Pot to the rescue, so it only took 2.5 hours to cook instead of 4.5!

#CornedBeef #Cabbage #InstantPot #StPatricksDay #ADHD #ADHDers #MusicProduction #music #musician #MusicianProblems

Doing vocal comping on this track has taken way longer than I expected. But I'm finally getting to eat some corned beef and cabbage for a belated St. Patrick's Day dinner. And Instant Pot to the rescue, so it only took 2.5 hours to cook instead of 4.5!

#CornedBeef #Cabbage #InstantPot #StPatricksDay #ADHD #ADHDers #MusicProduction #music #musician #MusicianProblems

Actual conversation last night…

“Helen, I want to go back on stage.”
“I know love.”
“Helen, it’s eating at me, I really need to.”
“I know love, but finish the album.“
“But I want to be back on stage.”
“Jess, finish the album.”
”Helen….”
“Jess, finish the fucking album.”

🙄🤣

#album3 #recording #musicianProblems #recording #newAlbum

Actual conversation last night…

“Helen, I want to go back on stage.”
“I know love.”
“Helen, it’s eating at me, I really need to.”
“I know love, but finish the album.“
“But I want to be back on stage.”
“Jess, finish the album.”
”Helen….”
“Jess, finish the fucking album.”

🙄🤣

#album3 #recording #musicianProblems #recording #newAlbum

I mean sure, Lady Gaga looks amazing whether she's covered in silver discs or deli slices, but imagine the rebelliousness, the audacity, the ungovernableness (and sheer comfort) of just coming out in cat hair-covered sweat pants and your hair in a bun.

#Branding #MusicianProblems #MusicBranding #music #Musicians #StageLook #BeUngovernable #StickItToTheMan #CatHair #Fashion #LadyGaga

I mean sure, Lady Gaga looks amazing whether she's covered in silver discs or deli slices, but imagine the rebelliousness, the audacity, the ungovernableness (and sheer comfort) of just coming out in cat hair-covered sweat pants and your hair in a bun.

#Branding #MusicianProblems #MusicBranding #music #Musicians #StageLook #BeUngovernable #StickItToTheMan #CatHair #Fashion #LadyGaga

How do I make "covered in cat hair" part of my Look™️?

#ServingLooks #ServingCatHair
#CatHair #Branding #MusicianProblems #MusicBranding

How do I make "covered in cat hair" part of my Look™️?

#ServingLooks #ServingCatHair
#CatHair #Branding #MusicianProblems #MusicBranding

The older I get, the more I demand comfort over looking good. I can barely stand the thought of putting on a bra and real pants to go to #Costco . The thought of actually having to look *nice* and wear *something cool/fashionable* to play a #gig is just...ugh. 🙄 😩

Mark Rebillet is a genius for making his whole stage look just underwear and a bathrobe.

#HairNotDone #NailsNotDone
#NothingDid

#music #musicians #MusicianProblems #MarkRebillet #StageLook #Fashion #MusicFashion

The older I get, the more I demand comfort over looking good. I can barely stand the thought of putting on a bra and real pants to go to #Costco . The thought of actually having to look *nice* and wear *something cool/fashionable* to play a #gig is just...ugh. 🙄 😩

Mark Rebillet is a genius for making his whole stage look just underwear and a bathrobe.

#HairNotDone #NailsNotDone
#NothingDid

#music #musicians #MusicianProblems #MarkRebillet #StageLook #Fashion #MusicFashion

Today, I practiced for the first time in...gods, a whole month?

The pandemic basically took half of my memorised repertoire with it since I went from performing 4~7 days a week to, well, basically nothing. I've always had issues getting myself to practice when I don't have a performance to prepare for.

Chief among those taken were the Bach Cello Suites. I have a smattering of movements in my repertoire, but Suite no. 1 (famous for its Prelude) was something I could play cover to cover, every last movement of which I adore...but...I lost 5 out of 6 of those movements to various issues, whether it was a disconnect between the various sections, issues with fingering (specifically shifts), or even bowings at times.

Today was my first attempt at reclaiming them and putting them back into my ready-at-any-time repertoire.

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems #Practice

Uploaded my next release to CDBaby for distribution yesterday! It was an ORDEAL. And then they freaked me out by sending an email this morning saying they had created a "promo page" for the track, leading me to believe THEY HAD ALREADY RELEASED IT. :AAAAAA:

Nope, it's still "being processed," and I have it scheduled to release on the 22nd. *whew*

Anyway, I'll probably try out #DistroKid for my next release.

#music #MusicProduction #CDBaby #NewMusic #musician #MusicianProblems #DreamPop

Uploaded my next release to CDBaby for distribution yesterday! It was an ORDEAL. And then they freaked me out by sending an email this morning saying they had created a "promo page" for the track, leading me to believe THEY HAD ALREADY RELEASED IT. :AAAAAA:

Nope, it's still "being processed," and I have it scheduled to release on the 22nd. *whew*

Anyway, I'll probably try out #DistroKid for my next release.

#music #MusicProduction #CDBaby #NewMusic #musician #MusicianProblems #DreamPop

I played my first show since getting covid today at Fleur and...it feels like I've gotten better for some reason? It felt like I had so much more control of phrasing and the other subtleties throughout my repertoire, whether on slower pieces like Ashokan Farewell, bouncy pieces like Tressa, The Merchant, or even my classical repertoire (though I only played the prelude from the Bach Cello Suite no. 1 and Humoresque today).

So...how do I get jumps in skill like this without risking a 10% chance of a long-term debilitating disorder every time? (not to mention half a month of income) (granted, I'd pay half a month's income for this large of a jump any time) (seriously, it was a huge jump and I finally feel like I've surpassed my 18-year-old self)

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems #Musings

I played my first show since getting covid today at Fleur and...it feels like I've gotten better for some reason? It felt like I had so much more control of phrasing and the other subtleties throughout my repertoire, whether on slower pieces like Ashokan Farewell, bouncy pieces like Tressa, The Merchant, or even my classical repertoire (though I only played the prelude from the Bach Cello Suite no. 1 and Humoresque today).

So...how do I get jumps in skill like this without risking a 10% chance of a long-term debilitating disorder every time? (not to mention half a month of income) (granted, I'd pay half a month's income for this large of a jump any time) (seriously, it was a huge jump and I finally feel like I've surpassed my 18-year-old self)

#Musician #Violinist #MusicianProblems #Musings

Yesterday I figured out something new on the double bass and I am very pleased with myself about it, but also I'm pretty sure if I had been taught by a teacher this would have been something that they explained to me around lesson 3, so I probably shouldn't proudly broadcast that I just figured it out now. #musicianProblems

I'm looking for some #StimToys / #FidgetToys suggestions.

I need something small & and compact that won't be visible to others and makes no noise. I need it for when I have to sit quietly on a stage, in a concert. To keep my hands subtley busy.

I have a spin ring, but it'll clang off my instrument (a tuba). I also have a rubbery squishy toy, but it makes a horrible squelchy noise.

Any help would be appreciated

#autistic #AutisticMusician #MusicianProblems #ActuallyAutistic #stimming #ADHD #AskingAutistics #neurodivergent #Autism