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The Fear of Recording Yourself (and How to Overcome It)

Metadata

title
The Fear of Recording Yourself (and How to Overcome It)
description
The studio is the hardest place for most musicians early on (myself included!) Here's how I overcame it through a philosophical shift in perspective.
status
complete
date
2022-05-16
kind
solo
guestSlugs
listenUrl
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/The-Fear-of-Recording-Yourself-and-How-to-Overcome-It-e1ij4tt
appleUrl
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fear-of-recording-yourself-and-how-to-overcome-it/id1567355195?i=1000562552034&uo=4
spotifyUrl
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ipb90GmRrhfBfVhtlP7t3
topicsDiscussed
  • Creativity
  • Anxiety
  • Songwriting
  • Fear of Recording
  • Mindset Shift
  • Flow State in Music
  • Creative Process
  • Meditation and Music
  • Balancing Tension
  • Emotional Connection to Music
  • Prolific Creation
hostNote
Really good players are not trying that hard, but they are locked in. That's the paradox at the center of this, and it's the thing most people miss when the record light goes on. The fear of recording collapses the two states: you either go loose and careless, or you tighten up and start self-sabotaging. Neither works. I use Bernard Purdie as the example, someone who plays simultaneously free and laser-focused, and frame it as a middle path between indulging every impulse and being an ascetic monk. Present and aware, but not precious. The flow state isn't mystical; it's a muscle you build by going back to the session even when it doesn't feel right. What comes out of this is a reframe for how to approach recording, not a checklist of tips, but a way of relating to the process so you can stay in it longer and stop treating the mic like it's judging you.
selectedMoments
  • label
    The Zen of Creating Music
    startSec
    2
    note
    I introduce the topic of finding calm and focus in music creation.
  • label
    Effortless Playing Example
    startSec
    93
    note
    Discussion of Bernard Purdy and how I exhibit a relaxed yet focused playing style.
  • label
    Creative Tension
    startSec
    227
    note
    I explore the balance between caring too much and being lazy in music recording.
  • label
    Finding the Middle Path
    startSec
    317
    note
    I talk about achieving a balance between enthusiasm and restraint in musical expression.
  • label
    Timeless Flow State
    startSec
    454
    note
    Insights on how being in a flow state can lead to productive creativity.
  • label
    Exercise the Flow Muscle
    startSec
    633
    note
    I emphasize the importance of practicing to access the flow state more frequently.
excerptQuotes
  • text
    If you look at really good players, like really, really good players, they are not trying that hard, but they are locked in.
    startSec
    50
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    He was simultaneously free and loose and doing his thing while being locked into the task at hand.
    startSec
    141
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    It's finding that sweet spot in between not caring and caring too much, where you're not self-sabotaging, but you're also not being lazy.
    startSec
    221
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    It feels like zen to me. It's a middle path between indulging every worldly desire and being an ascetic monk.
    startSec
    362
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    The more you exercise that muscle, the more moves you can think ahead.
    startSec
    470
    reviewed
    true
  • text
    It's about being aware and present, but not precious, and not lazy.
    startSec
    497
    reviewed
    true
faq
  • question
    What is The Fear of Recording Yourself about?
    answer
    In this episode, I F. Walton discusses the common fear musicians face when recording themselves and offer insights on how to overcome this anxiety through a balanced approach to creativity.
  • question
    How can I overcome fear when recording music?
    answer
    I share practical tips and a philosophical perspective on embracing a flow state to reduce tension and enhance creativity in the recording process.
transcriptPublished
false
draft
false

Content

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