OT: Do you listen to your own music for pleasure?

[dpasdernick]

I was wondering if you guys listen to your own music for pleasure? Do you have a CD of your favorite stuff you've done and listen to it while driving to work etc? Does you "greatest hits" collection of other composers include a few of your tracks? Or do you spend more time listening to other composers for inspiration and techniques?


Just wondering...

Darren

[danpowers]

Sometimes, but mostly not.

When I recorded my first CD last year, I listened to it intently while we were in the process of recording it, but once it was finished, I felt like I never wanted to hear it again. (Hopefully the people who bought it don't feel that way!)

We are recording another CD right now, and the same thing seems to be happening. Actually, its turning out pretty well, and I know I'm going to be pleased with it, but after being intensely involved with something over several months, you feel like you've heard everything enough times already.

Anyway, I'm always more interested in the next project than the last one.

[Steve_Karl]

Much more time listening to others for educational purposes.

I'll occasionally hear some of my work in passing ... having to make copies of CDs or recompile a demo CD and will indulge then just out of curriosity.

[dvincent]

Like Dan, after I finish a project I feel like I never want to hear it again. I usually put my tracks on my iPod so I always have a copy of my music with to demo. Occassionally it will shuffle to one of my tracks and I listen to it.

[lukpcn]

Sometimes, but mostly not.
Anyway, I'm always more interested in the next project than the last one.

Same situation here. :|:

[chriscaouette]

I must be one of the weird ones and I do listen to my own material for pleasure.
Chris

[dko22]

hardly wierd --I can't see much point in writing unless the majority of pieces at least are not for your own pleasure. Certainly I like to listening from time to time even if at times I don't like what I hear!

[dpasdernick]

I have CD's in the car of my pop songs that I sing along to trying to come up with lyrics, melodies, etc (I'm sure I've had a few motorists thinking i'm going into convulsiions while I'm trying to hit the high notes!)

I do ocassionaly listen to my soundtrack type stuff, sometimes to think of how i could have done it better, and sometimes because it just appeals to me and i'm kinda proud that i can do this... (lame?) I guess if I don't like my stuff who will?

On the other side of the coin sometimes listening to other composers depresses the poop out of me 'cause I feel I'll never be as good. (John Williams, Howard Shore, Thomas J...)

Darren

[Richard Berg]

Yes, "my" music appears on many playlists. However, with rare exceptions, only live recordings make the cut. Good memories. Listening to studio recordings tends to remind me of drudgery instead of the joy of musicmaking.

[Sean Beeson]

When I write a piece, I tend to not listen to it right away. But enjoy listening to very old pieces of music that I have written. (Like 3-4 years old)

[lukpcn]

I've written then I listen to my music very rarely but if I listen then I choose this 2 pieces of mine (http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=616397&t=5615 and http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=746404&t=5827) they just make me feel happy :|:

Maybe they can make You feel happy to... give it a try if You want... :rolleyes:

[jeffn1]

I will admit I do (I am sure more than anyone else does :).

jeffn1

[mech289]

Always listen to my music.. Over, and over again.. I think about a lot of things that could have been added, or changed..Also found out listening to others is a great help also.. So I am weird also.........

[jrjnsn]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who, after finishing a piece, doesn't want to hear it again for a long time. Sometimes years.

When I was in a band (long ago), I found that once we had learned a song, although I might enjoy playing it, I didn't enjoy listening to it anymore. It ruined it for me... kind of like watching a magic trick when you know how it's done.

[jeffn1]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who, after finishing a piece, doesn't want to hear it again for a long time. Sometimes years.

When I was in a band (long ago), I found that once we had learned a song, although I might enjoy playing it, I didn't enjoy listening to it anymore. It ruined it for me... kind of like watching a magic trick when you know how it's done.

That is an extremely interesting point, beyond the question of listening to you own music.

Is there some downside to learning music (and music production) that "demystifies" (for lack of a better word) music. I guess there are up sides and down sides for everything.

Sorry to change the topic.

jeffn1

[joaz]

2 years.

It takes about 2 years, before I can hear my own stuff as music.
If I listen to it before that, I am still measuring it against what it could have been, should have been.

The upside is I am nearly always pleasantly surprised, because I normally remember pieces, as a series of missed oppurtunities, but after 2 years I have forgotten what I meant to write, and just hear what is actually there.

regards Joe

[quantum7]

Every so often I like to listen to my own music for some inspiration. I believe I am a decent composer (at least I am told :o ) but sometimes I get in a rut and have self doubts. Listening to the "best of Sean" usually helps restore my confidence in what I am capable of. I also like to listen to some of my really old compositions from 15 to 20 years ago. This reminds me of how much I have improved my writing skills. Now my recording skill, that's another story. :p

[karmacomposer]

I enjoy listening to my own compositions and songs - but many times it's to see if there is replay value. The longer I can stand it, the more others will hopefully enjoy it over and over again.

I started creating music BECAUSE I didn't like much else out there and so created music for my, and my friend's and loved-ones enjoyment.

Now a days, I LOVE listening to my really old stuff (like 10-18 year old music) because sometimes I impress myself and other times I sicken myself. I love the fact that I create SOMETHING.

I hope other's enjoy my projects more than I do. I can always hope.

Mike

[mathis]

Every so often I like to listen to my own music for some inspiration. I believe I am a decent composer (at least I am told :o ) but sometimes I get in a rut and have self doubts. Listening to the "best of Sean" usually helps restore my confidence in what I am capable of. I also like to listen to some of my really old compositions from 15 to 20 years ago. This reminds me of how much I have improved my writing skills.

I can quite identify with that.

[musicpete]

Yes, I listen to my own stuff a lot since it is me I am writing it for! I have no hopes or having it ever played "live" by someone else or even an orchestra so why not enjoy it at home?


Listening to the "best of Sean" usually helps restore my confidence in what I am capable of.

I do that often when I feel really rotten about something i am just writing or finished writing. After hearing some of my old stuff my mantra is "You're a bloody genius, keep going!". Of course, after a years or so even the things I hated start sounding not bad... :D

[dpasdernick]

That is an extremely interesting point, beyond the question of listening to you own music.

Is there some downside to learning music (and music production) that "demystifies" (for lack of a better word) music. I guess there are up sides and down sides for everything.

Sorry to change the topic.

jeffn1


Jeff,

This is a great point. Being a tad naive has always been a good place for me to be regarding my design and music. I've had quite a bit of success "damning the torpedos" and just going for it. When I get closer to "something good" I realize how much more I have to learn and it can get depressing.

But when I go back and listen to some of my stuff I do hear the occasional snippets of talent and this helps me push on. ;)

Aside from my family, music is the greatest thing in my life. I can't imagine life without it...

Darren

[Lunatique]

Sometimes when creating compilation CD's of my favorite music for listening to while driving, I will throw a couple of my own tracks in. If my music stands up to the other tracks in the compilation while listening casually while cruising down the street, I'd smile and pat myself on the back. If it sounds inferior to the other tracks, then I know what I need to work on.

[marce]

Once happened to me i put a folder in the mp3 player and push play button... in one moment i heard an interesting piece of music. When i look the screen "hey, that music is from me!", a little theme i forgot i wrote. Maybe if there exist some way to hear your music without to know is your music?:rolleyes: i dont know what i would think about my music if that was posible.

[JonFairhurst]

Marcelo,

The question is: did you really enjoy the forgotten piece, or did you think, "who wrote this terrible music?" :)

I have had a similar expereince, and I'm happy to say that I liked what I heard. :)

[karmacomposer]

Marce,

Just edit the mp3 information (right click and EDIT) - take out your info or put something unrelated to you (to throw you off).

Mike

[marce]

Marcelo,

The question is: did you really enjoy the forgotten piece, or did you think, "who wrote this terrible music?" :)

I have had a similar expereince, and I'm happy to say that I liked what I heard. :)

Ha!

When you look to old pics of your sons, you remember that ones with affection... but you are happy they grow and are now strong (or not? :rolleyes: ) Similar happens to me with my music, i hear my old work with affections, but i found lot of things i have improved, fortunely. Boths, in the musical side, and specially in the technical one (hearing music made with soundfonts and comparing with GPO can be not fair sometimes)


Marce,

Just edit the mp3 information (right click and EDIT) - take out your info or put something unrelated to you (to throw you off).

Mike

thnks the tip! i will edit all my tags and put under autor field "dvorak" to see if i can fool myself ;) just joking.

[pantonality]

To answer the original question, Yes!

I enjoy everything I've written, even that which I've slaved over for a long time. Actually it's a mix quality control technique. If I can listen to a song (piece) and not be annoyed by something enough to feel compelled to tell myself "I really need to fix that" then I consider it finished. It usually takes a few iterations, but fewer as my mixing skills have improved. As for the music itself it's taken a few decades, but generally I enjoy everything I've written in the last 10 years. There is some earlier stuff that I tend to skip in my iPod.

[Ted Vanya]

Yes I do, and as many of you said, I cringe or enjoy what I hear. But in both reactions I learn from past mistakes and renew my confidence at other times that maybe I do have some spark of talent after all...
I am almost 80, and still love to learn.

Ted

[JonFairhurst]

One thing that surprises me is that I especially love the little mistakes that I left in, because they sounded interesting at the time. Those little hiccups add character and make the music memorable.

On the other hand, places where I left things quantized (unless it was electronic and meant to sound mechanical) grate on me. I may have thought "good enough", at the time, but it doesn't stand up over time.

I guess we prefer our children to be imperfect humans, rather than cold automotons!

[Little Red King]

Since I make music as a hobby and not as a for-profit or professional activity, I am mainly writing for myself, so yes I do listen to my own music for pleasure. I can completely understand those who say "I can't listen to my work for quite awhile after" as I too feel this but the time for the overload to fade for me is like 2 days rather than 2 years. Each of us is different and has different reasons for making and recording music and I imagine that we will find an infinite number of nuances in our responses to this question. All of which are very interesting to read as the views of others help us to question ourselves.

[Ashermusic]

I don't listen to my own work for pleasure because then it spoils me and makes me unable to enjoy anything else :D

[wst3ae]

There are phases...

right now I am trying (desparately I might add<G>) to assemble a new demo reel, so I am listening to pretty much everything i've recorded in the last 30 years, trying to cull the best stuff for the demo. In this case I am listening very critically, thinking about re-recording some things I did a very long time ago because I like them, but they could be presented more professionaly. I would not put this in the "fun" category, but I did find some gems I had forgotten about!

When I am writing and recording I listen all the time to the work in progress... obvious enough I suppose.

After I finish a project I usually try to put some distance between me and the finished work, otherwise, as other's have commented, I tend to be too critical, and it is difficult to enjoy the music when you are in a critical mood!

As I tend to find a majority of my ideas on the guitar or piano, I also play them quite a bit. Even if the realized piece had no guitar in it (rare, but it happens), I will still play a guitar arrangement of it when I'm noodling around.

For the rest of the time I do keep a CD of some of my favorites in the car, and of course there are a bunch of them on the laptop too. (I really need to justify the purchase of an iPod!!)

Otherwise I suspect my listening habits are fairly common... I listen to my favorite artists and composers, which will change at any given moment, and I listen to them for inspiration and for just plain old enjoyment, and I don't seem to have a lot of control over which mode dominates at any particular time. And, fortunately for me, I manage to get on that list from time to time.

I do find that odd, I used to be able to turn off the analytical part of the mind, and I find it won't always turn off any more. I have to be completely distracted!

[linwood]

I can't even look at photographs.

[David Ferris]

"I'm always more interested in the next project than the last one."

Yep.

[Dr. Biscuits]

Definitely the older the better for me, because when you go far enough back you (hopefully :p ) have progressed enough beyond it that it really is like listening to a different person's work... Style evolution is a huge part of it too - sometimes I almost get a feeling of "oh I remember this song from way back, I think my friend wrote it... oh wait.... I wrote it!" Perhaps I'm a bit :wow: though....

[imagegod]

If I can use an analogy:

Amateur photographers look at the Grand Canyon and think they can capture it all in single a snapshot. When they see their own prints, they tend to be sorely disappointed...where did all that breathtaking beauty go?

Listening to your own music is like learning to translate the Grand Canyon into a beautiful, sumptuous print...given enough talent, time and committment, eventually the vision finds its way onto paper (and into our hearts!)

That's why we listen...and listen again...:hp:

We listen until we hear what we 'see' in our hearts...and see what we need to hear in order to make it right!

[lulu]

only if i want to torture myself

[Lougheed]

I don't actually. Overload occured during editing, mixdown and mastering stages. So much concentrated listening. Too much of a good thing?

Lawrence

[MalteRathke]

Hi ..

most of the time if feel that I have to get away from what I've done before and concentrate on what lies ahead. It usually takes a while before I listening to a track again. Depending on the track, I'm getting bored listening to it really fast or I'm waiting for the part with that one cool "whatever" or I'm hearing all the mistakes during recording, mixing, mastering. Very seldom I'm just happy listening to it. The tracks which I can just listening to, without analyzing everything, these are the best ones ;)

Malte
________________________
Yeah .. that's right ..
http://www.jrblackmore.com (http://www.jrblackmore.com/)

[Fabio]

Yes I do...!:)

But...

fase 1) boring: "overload occured during mix and work..."

fase 2) after a while: exciting! I did a good job indeed...

fase 3) after long time: the remembrance of an ideal perfection is broken by the last real listening, you find all little faults and little imperfections...

[crazyox]

I always try to make the kind of music I like listening to myself, unless I'm trying to create something for someone elses project. As to the effectiveness of my efforts, let me put it this way...I always like the sound of what I am doing, occasionally like the sound of what I just did, never am satisfied with anything immediately after it is finished but...the other day I was listening to old tapes to decide which one to record over for my patio cassette olnly stereo, and I said, "ooh, I like that! Who is that?" and it took me about fifteen seconds to realize that it was my own music. That really boosted my confidence.

[danpowers]

The next project has become the last one. We wrapped up recording the new CD last week, and I'll be sending it to the factory as soon as graphics are done. I've listened to the master a couple of times, and I should probably listen again, but I have to force myself to. New projects are already started, and I need to work on those.

[Von Richter]

I generally only listen to my own stuff when a live ensemble is playing it. No samples or recording can possibly replicate the thrill of a live brass ensemble.

If I am performing, I sometimes kinda go out of my body and listen and watch as if I were in the audience.

Otherwise I am generally too busy making new stuff to sit around and listen to anything by anyone.

Like others have mentioned, it's neat to listen to something you did many years after the fact, with fresh ears.

[Von Richter]

Being a tad naive has always been a good place for me to be regarding my design and music.

Overthinking can certainly be bad for inspiration... on the other hand, being like your average stoned self-proffessed "rock musician", and claiming that any kind of learning is bad for music, is extremely lame. Funny how those same bozos always churn out the most generic, by-the-numbers trash.

Don't get me started on drummers who have convinced themselves they play tighter when drunk and/or stoned.

[nikolas]

Actually yes, I do listen to my own stuff :S

Don't know what it says about myself, maybe I'm just to high over heels or something :P

But I enjoy the music I'm making. Everything I write. And I dont' get bored of them (at least not very soon after I'm done). Of course after I just finished a project it takes sometime to get it out of my head as "my own project" where the only thing I do is see potential errors, and then I can surely enjoy the music. :)

[cmdratz]

I enjoy listening to simple pieces that were easy for me to make, e.g.,

Olde Guitars (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/Olde_Guitars.mp3)

In the middle of the bag, I somewhat rarely enjoy listening to pieces that took me a long time to make (I suppose because they usually aren't finished), e.g. [in drafts of the same piece],

Gentle Giant (Draft 1) (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/EWQLC%20Gentle%20Giant%20320KBPS.mp3)
Gentle Giant (Draft 3) (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/EWQLC_Gentle_Giant_draft3_192KBPS.mp3)
Gentle Giant (Draft 4) (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/EWQLC_Gentle_Giant_draft4_128KBPS.mp3)
Gentle Giant (Sample of changes in Draft 5) (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/EWQLC_Gentle_Giant_draft5sample_320KBPS.mp3)

At the other end I rarely listen to pieces that I have slaved over for a deadline because I feel that I can simply summon them from memory, e.g.,

Journey into the Light (http://www.eclipticmusic.com/audiofiles/musicians/Chris_Dratz/Journey%20into%20the%20Light.mp3)

Best regards,
Chris Dratz