Shoo fly, don't bother me
"the tools / limits inform the process"
Distractions are everywhere especially when you're not particularly keen to create. Being aware of the things that trigger my distractive nature has helped remove friction(s) to the process. The one thing that seems to always get in the way, at least initially, is the computer. Whether it's a notification to check my email, an OS update, or just the uinspiring glare of the mouse and keyboard.
the tools / config
Less is more
I like to chunk my studio time in achievable goals or sessions whereby I may or may not include the computer. I've done a variety of things to remove the computer or make its precense less pronounced, but I always come back to it especially towards the end of finishing a song to fully flesh it out as a whole. It's at the initial phase(s) of building a song that I want to hide the computer. Once it's gone, the assortment of choices to pluck dwindles greatly and the possibilities become much easier to execute.
Hey fly, come back here
Though, when a computer really comes in handy for me is when there's an idea ripe for the plucking. A skeleton just waiting to be filled with embellished guts of context. It's at this point that the computer becomes indispensible.
Overdoing it
Part of the reasoning behind removing the computer is to set limits as a song finds its footing. And even within' those limitations, the possibilities are still quite endless. I've gone to further than I'd like to admit to set limits; "limitation" cards to set parameters for each track in a song. At this point, I feel I've gone too far and making the process far too rigid / inflexible.
limitation cards (too far ?)
Go fast
More than anything, I simply want to remove the barriers that prevent me from moving forward. The longer I work on something, the staler it becomes, and the harder it becomes to finish it. The rig / config, and any limits imposed, are what inform the process and the ideas / fruit that grow from of it.tl;dr
- know your tools intimately
- remove blockers from the get-go
- get started with a plan (or don't :o)
think / (more importantly) do