---
title: "How to become a prolific music maker"

description: "It's simple (and hard). Practice to become a musician, not an instrumentalist."

status: complete

date: 2021-11-01

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/How-to-become-a-prolific-music-maker-e18rl3u"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-become-a-prolific-music-maker/id1567355195?i=1000540377033"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/5q99g6qMUroZm7DVAeFp3Q"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Creativity"
  - "Prolific Music Making"
  - "Musician vs. Instrumentalist"
  - "Creative Process"
  - "Holistic Musician"
  - "Embracing Flexibility"
  - "Speed in Music Creation"
  - "Practical Music Strategies"
  - "State of Play"

hostNote: |
  "Every single song I'm trying to practice just being a musician, not being an instrumentalist, not being a recording engineer, not being a producer. Just a musician that uses all of these tools." That reframe is the whole argument here.
  
  The starting point is always the same: I want to make music. Direction doesn't matter. From there, every song is a chance to practice being all the things at once, composer, engineer, performer, without switching modes. I use the image of laying bricks on a three-story house: you're picturing the next 25 bricks while placing the current one, and the house evolves as you go.
  
  Quick can be honest. Quick is fun. And it means you get to make more instead of dwelling on one thing until it stops meaning anything.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "The Journey Begins"
    startSec: 51
    note: "I discuss the starting point of his music creation process, emphasizing the importance of intention and practice."
  - label: "The Holistic Musician"
    startSec: 136
    note: "I explain the concept of being a holistic musician who integrates multiple roles at once."
  - label: "Building a Song"
    startSec: 227
    note: "I describe the parallel between laying bricks in construction and developing a song, demonstrating the flow of creativity."
  - label: "Flexibility in Music Creation"
    startSec: 450
    note: "I address the balance between rigidity and flexibility in music-making, highlighting the importance of adaptability."
  - label: "Quick and Honest Music Making"
    startSec: 766
    note: "I share my belief that quick creation can lead to honest and fun music, advocating for a fluid creative process."
  - label: "Defining Practice"
    startSec: 637
    note: "In this moment, I reflect on what practice means to him, focusing on the importance of self-assessment and engagement."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "The starting point is I want to make music. That's it. And it doesn't matter what direction it comes from."
    startSec: 90
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Every single song I'm trying to practice just being a musician, not being an instrumentalist, not being a recording engineer, not being a producer, just being a musician that uses all of these tools."
    startSec: 95
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You're picturing the next 25 bricks as you're building this three-story house. And that house is going to evolve over time."
    startSec: 221
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You have to be all those things for yourself. And if you have a limited window of time that you're arbitrarily giving yourself, you're gonna have a lot of warts."
    startSec: 497
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Quick can be honest, quick is fun. And then I get to make more. I get to check out more stuff instead of dwelling on one thing."
    startSec: 810
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What does it mean to be a prolific music maker?"
    answer: "Being a prolific music maker involves embracing creativity, flexibility, and the willingness to practice different musical roles simultaneously."
  - question: "How can I improve my music-making speed?"
    answer: "Improving music-making speed can be achieved through consistent practice, developing a playful mindset, and learning to integrate multiple musical roles."
  - question: "What is the difference between being a musician and an instrumentalist?"
    answer: "A musician encompasses a broader role that includes being an instrumentalist, producer, and recording engineer, focusing on music creation as a holistic practice."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---