There is a point in making music where you can start questioning everything you are doing. You wonder if your bass line works, or if that synth is crunchy enough. It can become maddening. In these moments you might also wonder if anyone will like the track.
This quote puts it best:
Always be true to what you think and feel as an artist. If you start double guessing everything you do then you will be caught in a loop and never feel like you have accomplished something. I think the key to success isn’t making something perfect, it’s knowing what “perfect enough” is for you.
Another thing that happens a lot when you got a track fairly done is wanting to share it with a bunch of friends and get their opinion. This can be really helpful, but it can also hurt your confidence. There is one thing I have seen over the years and that is people will always want more. If you give them an unfinished track they will say…
I loved it, but I want more womp.
I loved it, but I want a violin in their.
Great track, but can you add some vocals?
You can then feel like the track isn’t good enough. Maybe you should throw it out and add vocals. If you had the track mastered and completed and never asked anyone’s opinion and then they heard it they would have probably loved it. You opened up the question of what their tastes were and they gave it. That does not mean you need to change your taste.
I’d say it is very important to give and ask for an opinion. It’s best to keep it about a specific question. Like how to make the bridge work? Or how is my panning in this track? When it all comes down to it, It’s all up to you. It’s about your expression and what you want it to sound like.
Stay true to your taste in music. So whenever you ask yourself if anyone would like your track, you will know the answer. It is yes, because you will.
Check out the Creative Process Blog to see more articles on my creative process and wisdom I have learned on the way. If you want professional opinions on technical parts to your track, like mixing, mastering, synthesis, then check out my classes and track review.
