Alone (But Not)

Most of my time in the studio is spent alone. Most people that I've known need a band or a group of musicians to feed off of for ideas. I know that I enjoy those times because ideas flow differently when there are other artists contributing to the song.

For me, not only do I write best when I'm by myself, I write the best when nobody is around at all. If I am in total isolation from anyone, I seem to be able to hear things clearer and embellish those musical ideas more effectively.

Funny thing is, when I'm completely alone, that's when I can "tap in" to all the music that has shaped my life. It seems like when I have total silence and no one else is adding their energy, I'm able to "tune in" to my inner radio that always plays. Sometimes I play songs in my mind from others, but if I'm in isolation, I hear my own songs that are yet to be written.

The goal for me is to always be a minute away from a recording device so when a new song starts playing in my mind, I can capture that song as it is and share it with others.

I've never really explained that before. As I write it, I sound kind of crazy. For many people that know me, I guess that comes as no surprise!

;-)

Here's to hoping you can tune to the frequency of your own personal radio of unwritten songs!

Scott Quillin

Capturing THE Take

When you think of "playing live", do you automatically think of playing in front of others? That's what I thought until I started thinking about my own process of songwriting, recording and "Capturing THE Take."

When we perform, the audience gets whatever comes out of us. There's no going back. Once you start playing, it hits their ears in real time and hopefully, (more often than not), they like what they hear. We work hard to rehearse our parts so we can play at our best 'cause when we don't, there's no going back and fixing the mistakes.

But there is another aspect of "playing live" that is often overlooked - and that's playing live and recording whatever comes out. I try to not think too much as I play but capture what it is I'm feeling or trying to express.

Most recording sessions are "capturing" us playing free of errors, in perfect time and with the most balanced sound. We're so used to hearing "processed" music that hearing "organic music" that just captures our improvisation is surprisingly interesting, and fills my personal song library which I can later draw on and embellish on .

Most of the songs we hear are compositions that have been tweaked to the point where we disregard what was originally created, to record something better or different and to achieve technical perfection. But what is often lost in that process are those raw, off-the-cuff ideas that can sometimes be our best stuff.

How many times have you just been sitting there playing and suddenly you play something you never did before. It just happened, and you WISH you were recording. This happens all the time for me, so I purchased a Pulse Pen that records audio while I write out lyrics (and I can even see my notes on the computer). Of course, I also own a recording studio so I almost always hit record when I'm here jamming.

Over the years, I've recorded thousands of hours of me just playing. I think some of my most creative music (particularly soundscapes/soundtrack music) has been better when it's off the cuff.

Once I have many takes of a particular theme, I listen back and pick the "best of" sections and build songs.

I feel like I'm in the construction business. I'm focused on building upon my best foundation as a musician and this requires recording every time I pick up an instrument, sing or write lyrics (so I can sing melodies as I write).

If you took 30 minutes and just recorded an entire session of improv, and then played it back, you would find many ideas you don't even remember playing.

I hope that we can all take the time to capture our playing when we're not thinking so much about what we're doing.

Technically Inspirational

Have you ever browsed YouTube or Google to check out guitar players? Or perhaps looked up online guitar lessons? In my case, I’ve spent more time looking up guitarists than any other type of musician. Many times I find myself blown away by some of the incredible technique that is being mastered (and taught) on the guitar. But as blown away as I’ve been, I also don’t remember anything I’ve heard. Sure, I remember seeing a solo played with 2 hands, 8 fingers, a tongue and who knows what else – but did the melody stick with me or was it the gimmick that was etched in my mind?

For years, I've heard people say "If you play fast guitar, you’re not playing with feel." I never understood that because playing fast (for me) is invoking emotions of passion, anger, rage, intensity - all types of "feel.” Perhaps what they meant is that when many players play fast, they don’t emphasize melody and phrasing. There is so much technique going on that there’s nothing being said that is memorable. It seems like the majority of newer players have spent the majority of their time learning and applying technique rather than finding their own voice as an artist.

I’ve been playing guitar full-time since I was 14 (that’s nearly 27 years) and yet, I feel like I’m just beginning to understand my own language on the guitar – a language that includes everything from soft melodies to loud and fast playing.

There is one person that stands out as not only one of the best guitar players I've ever heard but one of the greatest musicians of all time. His name is Matthew Bellamy from the band “Muse.” Matthew incorporates some incredible technique (on vocals, guitar, and piano) and writes the most memorable songs. To me, Muse has pulled off what I’ve been searching for all my musical life: great technique, memorable songs, songs in many different styles, originality and songs that reach audiences from diverse musical preferences.

Today, I will focus on writing something that is technically inspirational. Thanks Matt Bellamy for leading the way!

Creating Without Thinking

I am on a life-long quest - a journey, to maximize my creative potential. It's a difficult journey and one I travel alone. The path is often overgrown with distractions and priorities. I need to make time to prepare so that when I travel on the road to my muse, I get there with as little effort as possible so that the creative process can begin.

So how can I "tap in" and more importantly, stay tapped in so that I can express myself as an artist - not from my intellectual mind but from a place where I shut my intellectual mind off (as much as possible) and create music from the impulses of emotion and experiences?

What would it be like if we heard music in the raw, un-edited state as it was created (before it is organized, filtered, embellished upon and in the end is packaged for consumption)? Is it possible to ride the creative river that flows in every songwriter without trying to take control over the direction of the water? What if we were able to not be a "writer" of the music but be the "first person" that has heard what you're playing. Instead of being in the driver's seat, you create music by capturing the music as it happens.

As I write (or in this case passenger) more music that is less organized in nice 3-4 minute packages that have a verse, chorus, bridge, etc., I'm finding new and exciting sounds and styles that keep my journey into the creative mind fresh and vibrant.

I don't want to replicate...I want to create.