i used to be able to spend 6 or 7 hours a day on the net at work in my previous job reading just about everything I could and printing books off on the photocopier. Now I am having to juggle being out and about for 7-8 hours, studying for my CCNA, having a girlfriend (more of a bonus than a chore though ) and a social life, as well as getting down to business with tunes.

I have thought about the dictaphone idea, and its definately a good one. I have very little ability to work out the tunes in my head as A,B,C,D,E,E# and all that, so its just all done by ear.

I find lately I only get 3 hours during the week and a few more at weekends to do any serious music work. I would love to do it as a full time job, but for now its just a cool and rewarding hobby.

Hm... here's an interesting idea.... Get one of the prodikeys:

http://www.prodikeys.com/ and a simple MIDI Sequencer loaded on your work PC. This way you can just play your ideas in GM and even e-mail your tracks home. <<< depending on flexibility of your work environment >>>

Hmm? Hm??? who's the best? ha?

Ok.... later.

___________________
Proud member of the "Filthy Zionist" coalition

I have similar problems too. That's why I'm always on this forum while I'm at work. Also, get a laptop, nothing better then being able to fire up Reason or Fruityloops anywhere.

I have to constantly fight with my Fiance to get time in my studio vs spending time with her.

My mind is always on music, I think I'm going psycho.

I'll have to check that site, as I have the same problem.
It used to be that I dcould come in from class, work out whatever was in my head on the gear across the room from me, and then rerecord it on the computer, but my MIdi program went away somewhere so yeah.
Now I have to go get a timer and say, after this goes off, I stop.
It's hard.

With school and work in my way, I use my cell-phone's "voice-memo" feature to quickly get good ideas out of my head and go on with my days.

I have found that If i take long stretches of weeks working on and off of producing music, I keep good and inspired when I get back to making music, and nice and calm when I'm not.... Sort of like adapting a giant sine wave or square wave to the pattern of your work-life vs your producing life.

___________________

'-.SgtFoo.-'
My SoundCloud

I tell you man, these are the times of our lives we will remember the fondest. I sincerely hope all of us learn to control our addictions or get the chance to do it full time

But as for my 2 cents: I did the pocket recorder thing back in high school when I was writing rock songs, and I ended up going through about 16 FULL ONE HOUR micro cassette tapes... You heard me right, recording just 1-2 minute idea snippets I covered 16 hours of tape. They're still sitting in my drawers waiting to be backed up. Jesus I'm an idiot for not backing them up to mp3s yet.

I personally LOVE the fact that I'm so obsessed with music. Its like a warm blanket I can go to at night, one that no one else in my life truly knows like me. Like perfect satisfaction. I went to rosarito this weekend and failed miserably with this perfect, gorgeous, tiny, 18 year old blonde because my drinking brought out some of my self esteem issues.... but before I gave up I was cuddling and massaging her all night and she was doing the same to me, so it was even more torture. Well that combined with the drinking, I was so fucking depressed I could have died right there in the hotel room.... When lo and behold, my heart gives me like THREE songs to write about her, and suddenly: I feel ok again.

quote:

Originally posted by DJMikeyP I personally LOVE the fact that I'm so obsessed with music. Its like a warm blanket I can go to at night, one that no one else in my life truly knows like me. Like perfect satisfaction. I went to rosarito this weekend and failed miserably with this perfect, gorgeous, tiny, 18 year old blonde because my drinking brought out some of my self esteem issues.... but before I gave up I was cuddling and massaging her all night and she was doing the same to me, so it was even more torture. Well that combined with the drinking, I was so fucking depressed I could have died right there in the hotel room.... When lo and behold, my heart gives me like THREE songs to write about her, and suddenly: I feel ok again.

so.. inspiration truly does come from the most odd times in life. Great input man.

___________________

'-.SgtFoo.-'
My SoundCloud

Ahhhh high school - Homework + dinner + piano practice all together take about say 2-3 hours, and I have much longer after school to work with. I fear for when I have a job and such...

But yes, I find myself writing down melodies, or humming them the whole day. Tape recorder or some free sequencer at work would be helpful to those who need it.

___________________
America is like a melting pot. The people at the bottom get burned and the scum floats to the top.

Great thread here, I think we can all relate here in one way or another.

I found myself in my bedroom more and more, becoming consumed infront of the computer and MIDI keyboard... I one day woke up to myself and realised I had become a different person; My self esteme had dropped, my social and emotional 'IQ' had dropped. This was because I was relating to somthing most of the time that was not another person. I need constant interaction to keep up with the world. So then I had to make a choice- Seperate myself from the world completley or make some serious changes. Both have their pros and cons.

1) Sepearate from world:
Pro- Fill my brain with an excess of knowledge and improve music/production skills at accelerated rate.

Con- I cut off all the other good things in my life, rating them second best.

2) Get back to balanced life
Pro- Get some colour back into my face, get better marks at uni, meet more people, improve relationships around me.

Con- Musical ability cut short, slow improvement, create less tracks.. Take alot longer to get that promised live set ready..

Think about the priorites in your life at the moment. If music is your priority then hit it hard and dont turn around. If you have other priorities clashing then don't be a half cast. Focus on the other important things at this moment of time. There is nothing wrong with a hobby on the side.. Your priorities can change later on, but for now don't forget the important things now because they won't last forever....

quote:

Originally posted by Etherium Same goes for school papers. "Hmmm, I have a 6 page paper due, guess I'll just open Microsoft Word.....Oooh, what's this, a Reason icon next to the Word Icon, arrrgh, must...keep...mouse...away from....Fruity...icon."

suffering from that as we speak lol

___________________

w: www.luketerry.com

quote:

Originally posted by TI2ance Think about the priorites in your life at the moment. If music is your priority then hit it hard and dont turn around. If you have other priorities clashing then don't be a half cast. Focus on the other important things at this moment of time. There is nothing wrong with a hobby on the side.. Your priorities can change later on, but for now don't forget the important things now because they won't last forever....

TI2ance that is such an awesome reply mate, thanks alot. You pretty much hit the nail on the head with what I've been debating these last few weeks.

I still have'nt worked out in my head what I want to do, but I do know that seperating myself from the world (No 1) really does'nt appeal to me after reading it in black and white. I've spent weeks on end without interacting with anyone properly and what you say is exactly true about your self esteem and social IQ dropping.

I'd very much like to keep on producing, but its finding the balance to keep it as a hobby that I'm struggling with very much. I think of the days I've spent at home and realise that those hours could be spent making money at work, even if its not what I would 'prefer' to be doing.

I'm interested to know what choice you made (if you have already) and how its working out for you.

Thanks for the help and advice to you and everyone else.