Composer Career Advice: Stop Throwing Pebbles

Questions? Vodkastpodcaster[at]gmail[dot]com
Twitter: @GeoffManch

[f_c_r_]

Straight up couldn't agree more. I used to try to fit in with stuff that wasn't quite right, and as soon as I was just doing my own thing I started getting hired.

[SAN.clouded]

This is so true, and something I really needed to hear - thank you for sharing this. I especially loved what you said about "creating your content in good faith".

[ChristopherSiu]

Totally agree with this man. Thanks for sharing your own experiences with this.

[NickChase]

Great advice! Big part of this process is concept that Rome wasn't build in a day. This is the concept that most people forget. They go out there full of enthusiasm and expect for things to happen in next month or so.

[dantredmusic]

Big fan of your channel dude. I thought you hit the nail on the head with owning your own style on YouTube. I’ve always worried that if I started one it’d be insincere because I’m just starting out or maybe I don’t know how to edit videos in a way that’s trendy or whatever. But after seeing your channel, and how you just have good content with no frills (no disrespect I genuinely think that’s awesome!) it makes me wanna do it too. Even if it’s just to say “hey I did that, regardless of where it leads”. Thanks again!

[mkirbymusic]

I really appreciate this video. It helps confirm the steps that I'm taking by being here on YouTube!

[DarkSideofSynth]

True. Stop throwing pebbles and start throwing boulders!:)))
Jokes aside, do your own thing, be you, everyone else is already taken ;) Be as interesting, useful and helpful as you can without betraying yourself or getting in the way and overdoing it. It's hard, it's slow but sooner or later you'll reap something.
I started my channel almost 3 years ago, quite small, nothing fancy, no talking, hardly any tutorial and lots of jams... one of which unintentionally brought me a nice sound design/composing job for an indie horror film... just out of the blue last year in the middle of this pandemic.
No biggie but it's something... and it didn't take any pebbles, only lots of brick layering, day in and day out.
Have fun!

[RoyZakai]

A refreshing and fine framing of a big issue. Feel free to do more philosophical videos like this ;-). Thank you.

[ddrumdude]

What you’re saying about doing your work/art in good faith is so refreshing to hear. I see a lot of corporate based activity rooted in constant ‘poking’ on social media from artists. Although I understand that approach, for me it dilutes the integrity of the art in question and it puts me off. I feel selfish thinking that way but it’s how I’m wired I guess.

[adubmusic]

Like the metaphor and appreciate the encouragement.
In the midst of creating/editing a video essay, and wow it takes time...

[matthewmcclure]

Great video, straight to the point even if you're sharing what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. For others trying to transition or expand into cinematic production after developing a writing/producing background more suitable for the traditional music industry, are you like me finding it a bit less symbiotic than you expected? Jeff's video is timely for me because I'm sitting here in a moment of doubt, thinking I don't know what the heck I'm doing... I want to reach out to someone experienced and pick their brain. Pausing for a moment and thinking about if the shoe were on the other foot, I might be willing to help out someone in an area were I have expertise, expecting nothing in return, but it would still be a bit annoying. Especially if it's happening on a frequent basis or I'm having a particularly bad day. Thanks for stopping me Jeff!

BTW, I don't know if suggesting topics for future videos falls into that category but if it does I apologize. If not, here are a few examples of the specific types of challenges people like me may be experiencing. I'm not asking you to answer my questions, but perhaps some iteration of these examples might make a good video subject if any of them resonate with you. One preemptive caveat - I know "there are no rules" but that doesn't mean there aren't some pretty good general guidelines to follow.

My background (to qualify "people like me"): 20+ years musician, 2+ years learning music production, almost entirely a pop/rock background, now trying to transition into cinematic application

1) Songwriting approach: Not that scoring is "easy" in any scenario, but it's especially hard when you aren't writing to fit a specific scene or application. Before I get descriptive, the question I'm getting at is are there best practices for composing when you aren't writing for a specific pre-determined application? I wrote a song this week called "I Was Made to Make You Cry" that on the surface feels bouncy and cheerful but the placement of minor chords, choice of instruments (Fender Rhodes, Accordion, etc.), and vintage production approach was intended to elicit an emotional release. I want my song to be perceived as a faded and wrinkled photograph of someone who once meant a lot to the viewer. I see the application as music for the "redemption" scene, a cut to flashbacks of "the good times", or the "where are they know" captions that roll prior to the credits at the end of a documentary. For someone with no industry inroads does it make sense to build a catalog of available music with diversified themes and hope that someone finds something useful in it or attempt to specialize? Am I over thinking this or on a completely different wave length than how things actually work? You mentioned building your own small hill, which I agree with, but is that hill more noticeable when you specialize?

2) Structural build of cinematic songs: As in #1, from the perspective of writing without a pre-determined application. Whether pop, classical, or just about any other music style, there are some fairly standard structures of verse/chorus/bridge or build/climax/resolve. When I pay attention to music placement in TV, movies, docs, etc. I notice the length of a specific piece rarely exceeds 10-20 seconds, so none of the structures I'm used to actually matter (or at least not in the same intervals or duration). In my previously mentioned song I structured it with the intent of providing 10-20 second sections with varying degrees of intensity, that could be extracted to fit a mood. Funny thing is, it was a subconscious decision not premeditated, which I discovered while struggling to make my automation's make sense. Regardless of how I got there it seems like a good idea to build pieces with clear extraction points. What are your thoughts on the structure of songs you write when you haven't been hired to write for a specific scene or application?

3) Non-standard instrument placement within the mix. I'll start with the question before providing the background. When considering listening/viewing platforms and the often "background" nature of cinematic application, how should we look at track placement in the stereo field and the level of intensity regarding rhythm/back-beat? Sticking with the same song, something else caught me off guard when I tried to place and mix in drums and percussion. Never-say-never but in most commercial music it's rare to deviate from norms around the center placement of drums in the stereo field, the punch of the kick, how snare interacts with other inst., etc. After a few hours of failing to incorporate drums and percussion in a way that wouldn't be distracting from my mental image of how my song might be used, I realized the Zither and Guitarron tracks were already providing the drive and cadence I wanted. However, there was still a bit of energy lacking. I ended up infusing a Log Drum as the primary percussion, reinforced with brush drums. I didn't duck anything because I actually wanted a bit of that "hazy rumble". Both tracks were pushed way back in the mix and not entirely straight up the middle. If I listen to the song with critical ears for radio airplay, it's not a good mix, especially the drums. Conversely, I think it makes sense for the applications I mentioned earlier. Is a typical client going to recognize that drums or anything else can be pulled back in a mix or are they going to be immediately turned off by a production that appears lacking when left to stand alone without the visual context? Final question. When I produce for pop/rock I consider things like mono compatibility on a very limited basis. Basically if someone consumes music in mono, on a phone, or laptop speakers then my music probably isn't for them. I can do that as I'm not in a Boy Band or targeting mainstream music listeners. I'm honestly not trying to be snobby but when it comes to what I record as just music, I'm my target audience. My mentality for cinematic use is completely the opposite though. Putting aside for a moment things like 3D/VR, complex/enhanced speaker configurations, and any emerging audio technologies (that is if we can), should we view compatibility roughly the same as for commercial radio? Higher? It's quite confusing as I don't see how you can produce for surround sound and still have it work in mono.

[MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Short, sweet, and very well put, cheers

[sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Great take, Geoff! I attempt to apply these methods as I approach people who impact me. Though it is a great reminder (as I am certainly flawed, and ambition can sometimes get the best of me). So, I thank you for the reminder.

[MarlonGibbons]

Soooo incredibly true! Well articulated, too!

[joetowers]

Very interesting perspective. I think you could apply the same advice to almost any profession. It might be harder to build than being handed a chance, but it is potentially more freeing. Now I'm going to take your and my own words to heart.

[jimsanger]

Great outlook to have. I think doing your own thing is the most important part.

[brenthathaway]

Great video - also congrats on the iZotope arrangement. :)

[AlexNiedt]

Always fun to hear what works for various folks. I've had crazy things happen by just sending people music (and then meeting them in person obviously helps), but I guess this isn't common?

[davidasher]

Getting some real “Field of Dreams” vibes from this one. Lol. Great advice regardless.

[dafingaz]

Yep. Goes beyond composing too. I’ve been doing this with piano covers of hip hop and pop songs and getting opportunities to make custom piano parts with some big artists. 😳