Every musician has been there...
Staring at a half-finished song, plagued by doubt, and wondering, "Is this song a lost cause? Should I try to push through this creative rut? Is there even light on the other side?"
It's a dilemma that strikes at the heart of every creative journey.
In this article, we'll explore the art of recognizing when to pivot: whether that means starting anew, returning to a promising project, or seeking collaborative help. We'll also delve into the importance of momentum and why it should be valued more greatly than perfection. Finally, I'll explain why it's often better to follow the past of least resistance--rather than pushing through a barrier with a song.
1. Recognizing Stagnation
It's easy to become enamored with a particular project, pouring hours into it without seeing substantial progress. The more time you put into it, the more necessary it feels that you finish it. This is because we have an inherent desire to justify our actions.
Have you ever been in an argument with someone, and ultimately you just wanted to win? Even if deep down you knew you were probably wrong...🙋♂️ The same concept is at play here!
We often want to finish a project because we have to justify the hours we've put into it. However, if we take stock of our ultimate goals, trying to finish that song may not even be worth our effort. For example, let's say your goal is to release five songs this year. You may find that setting that project aside and starting on something new, or pursuing another project that you've been working on, is the best course of action. Ultimately, I will bet that you finish more songs by setting aside troublesome projects than by painstakingly trying to finish them. And here's the secret... Those songs you free yourself to work on will probably be better than the old, troublesome projects!
So, it's important to evaluate your song and ask yourself, "Am I stuck in a creative rut?" If you can gain clarity, you can move to your next decision. Which brings us to my second point!
2. The Power of Starting Fresh: the "new song pivot"
Starting a new song can be incredibly liberating. It allows you to break free from the constraints of a stagnant project and explore new creative avenues. And if we're being honest, often times, we delay making new ideas a reality because we feel wedded to old ones. Is there a melody you've had stuck in your head for the past day or so? Now's your chance to bring it to fruition!
Sometimes, the energy and inspiration gained from a fresh start can lead to fantastic results:
- You may finish that new song in less time than it would have taken you to finish the old song.
- You may discover a new style or genre that suits you better than the old one. You can experiment with different sounds, instruments, melodies, and lyrics that challenge your creativity and expand your musical horizons.
- Your new song may be better because you started it this year--and perhaps that old song was from a period in which you weren't as good at songwriting/producing, or were in a state of stagnancy.
- Your new song will be on the cutting edge (most likely) because it is something you composed recently. Indeed, perhaps that old song you'd been trying to finish was in a style that's a bit played out?
- You may feel more satisfied and fulfilled with your new song because you followed your intuition and inspiration. You knew to put down the old one, and finishing the new one offers validation of your intuitive and rational processes. This is undoubtedly a good feeling.
But there are other approaches you can take instead of writing an entirely new song!
3. Returning to Promising Projects: "Old Song Revival"
On the other hand, another song already sitting on your hard drive might have latent potential. This song may require time and effort to mature, but perhaps it is still closer to being done than the other song you've been agonizing over!
Also, as we discussed with the "new song pivot" above, you may have gained new insights and skills in the time since you last worked on this promising song, and these skills can breathe life into your revival. Indeed, returning to a previously paused project can be a way to rediscover your hidden gems.
4. Collaborative Rescue
When you find yourself unable to move forward, consider pivoting to a collaboration. Sharing your work with a fellow musician or songwriter can revitalize a project. Their perspective may provide the missing piece that reignites your creative spark. Additionally, you will know quite literally that they weren't stuck on this song, so they won't be in that same sluggish headspace as you were. What's more, I have found that most of the songs I get stuck on are songs which I have lost perspective on. In this case, having no prior familiarity with the song your friend, your friend will be able to see things objectively from the get-go.
That synth riff you've heard a thousand times? Your buddy will have fresh ears when listening to it!
5. The Momentum Factor
The saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss" aptly applies to the creative process. Momentum is often more important than perfection. The act of consistently creating and finishing songs keeps your creative juices flowing. Don't let the pursuit of a single perfect track hinder your overall progress. And know that ultimately, most fans will like a couple of your songs but not every song.
There's an old joke in politics that goes like this: 20% of voters don't like their own mother. You're not going to get everyone to like you!"
I was rather relieved to find this is apocryphal.,, Studied suggest less than 10% of the population has a difficult relationship with their mother and a negative view (faith in humanity restored!)
This (though reassuring) is also aside from the point!
I tell you this to say that people will dislike your music and you can't change that. It is best to focus on making a number of songs you are proud of and letting your audience decide what they like. Trying to finish a song because you think it is a "crowd pleaser" or because "it will make more people like you" is not a good plan. It's actually counterproductive.
6. Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be a creative roadblock. Understand that not every song needs to be a masterpiece. Completing songs, even imperfect ones, builds your skill and confidence. It's okay to have "practice" songs on your journey. Besides, do you know how many times I have heard people tell me they love "x" song "for its imperfections?" All the time. Indeed, it's faulty thinking to assume people like music for "perfection" of composition or mixing/mastering. Most folks I know like music that makes them feel something. Indeed, you don't want a mix that's so bad it distracts from your composition, but understand that agonizing over "hi-hat spill on a snare mic" or "sibillance in a barely audible background vocal" is probably taking things too far.
Conclusion
Knowing when to pivot from a project is an art in itself. Honestly, it's more important than even being a "good" musician. If you can effectively manage your projects and complete more songs, you're already in better shape than a musician who makes "great" songs (whatever that may mean) but can only muster a couple releases each year!
Ultimately, Recognizing stagnation and having the courage to start fresh, revisit older projects, and collaborate, is a vital ability to develop. Remember that momentum is more valuable than perfection. Embrace the little flaws in your project and understand they often add character. Trust your instincts, and keep rolling forward. What makes a song a "lost cause" is not the challenges it presents but your own inability to adapt. So take charge of your process and take action. Shift from the lost cause to the fresh approach. You deserve great outcomes, and I'm here with you every step of the way!
-Astara
