should we stop

[jethrobull]

We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

[Kriminal]

Obviously we (me to) aren't really successful at it.

your definition of success is quite different to many other ppls

[V0RT3X]

Yah and now that everyone and their computer is capable of semi-professional results the market is saturated with talent and the talentless alike.

I seen people on soundcloud who had awful sounding stuff and they still managed to get tons of feedback from others.

I personally think computer music is a very very crowded and competitive place. It's full of people shouting "Listen to me!" really loud and trying to get the attention or become the next skrillex.

Personally I think i'll take up piano and guitar lessons and take the more old school approach. I make computer music for fun, because it helps me "unwind" and relax and it gets those goddamn sounds out of my head for a while when I can translate them somewhat into a song.

[Numanoid]

We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

And the sun always shines on TV of course, lets take some sound advice from those norwegian brethren A-ha:

"So needless to say
I'm odds and ends
But that's me stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is OK.
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry"

[Emerald Tablet]

We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

You got me there

https://soundcloud.com/remcoh/youreallf ... ritual-war

We're the All-Singing, All-Dancing Crap of the World, or: You're Doing it Wrong



Guys, thanks for your take on it
I think it'll get me going for another 30 years or so

HUG

[highkoo]

If you don't enjoy making music then should definitely quit. If all you're worried about is being a commercial success you should quit as well.

+1

+1
No matter our individual details, that is solid advice.

Many of us have been making electronic music for over 10 years.
Obviously we (me to) aren't really successful at it.

Define success. Are you referring to commercial success or artistic success?

Money, power, poontang.

Not necessarily in that order.

Well per Tony Montana, that is exactly the proper order.
He had it all figured out. Like some kind of 'five year plan'.
Plus, he had a tiger.

Obviously we (me to) aren't really successful at it.

your definition of success is quite different to many other ppls

Yeah, I always wonder what people mean by "success" in these kinds of discussions.
For some people its only about money, or only about getting a name up.
For some people its just about 'technical chops'.
For some people its just having their mum say 'Thats nice'.
Those all seem ok to me from certain points of view.

For me it is only about the accuracy of the translation from my head to the sound. I dont care a whole lot about the commercial viability of what I am doing, or the product. Its just about the process.
I guess in a way thats 'technical chops', but not really in the traditional sense. I dont know shit in the traditional sense, but I am happy with a lot of what I make, so apparently my simple aesthetic does not require me to know much.
But it just means that if I am getting good/better at translating, Im a success.
If I get my track to the point where every piece of it sounds just how I want, Im a total facking genius success! -even if no other person ever hears it.

[jancivil]

If I get my track to the point where every piece of it sounds just how I want, Im a total facking genius success! -even if no other person ever hears it.

[bluedad]

The risk of stopping making music is you might take that extra time and money you have and do something like golf.

Which would make you a cvnt.

This is so true on so many levels.

[Emerald Tablet]

Kriminal wrote:
Emerald Tablet wrote:

Obviously we (me to) aren't really successful at it.

your definition of success is quite different to many other ppls

i havent defined succes yet
i guess what i meant some here havent been able to turn it into a rent paying job.

But indeed succes is a relative thing

[Numanoid]

i havent defined succes yet
i guess what i meant some here havent been able to turn it into a rent paying job.

But indeed succes is a relative thing

Have you looked in the dev support sub-forums, lots of them selling plugs to fund their rent I expect.

Patch makers sell patch libs, that also will subsidize their living costs I believe

[highkoo]

Well, if youre taking suggestions on rent paying; DJ.
A lot of people start there before making tracks, but if you didnt, learn the concepts of DJing and have a go.
Some people find it a convenient compliment to the dream of paying bills with pro producing. A way to make money from 'music'.

Compared to pro-level production, "professional" DJing can be
A- easy, relatively.
B- cheap, relatively.
C- profitable, relatively.
D- fun, maybe moreso...

[Lotuzia]

Many of us have been making electronic music for over 10 years.
Obviously we (me to) aren't really successful at it.
We wouldn't be wasting our time here if we were (Moby excluded - we don't know why you keep visiting KVR)

What's the use?

I mean I can only truly speak about myself. With all this time it cost me / us, is it worth it? Is there anyone beside me who would regret it if I'd stop this hobby? I guess not. Or would I get addicted to porn or booze or cigarettes or coke as a substitute for making music if I'd quit? wait .... lemme try first

Anyway ... the reason i'm posting this
Is there anyone who's tried to quit?
Did it help?

Just make a break and you'll know

If it doesnt work, welcome back to music, and we'll be happy to see you again. And if it works, all the best for you, and we'll be happy for you.

[Zombie Queen]

i guess what i meant some here havent been able to turn it into a rent paying job

I would consider it a desirable achievement, assuming one doesn't compromise his taste in the process. A success depend on the goal. Creating music that you like is a success in pleasing yourself. Creating music that someone else enjoys deeply (even, if it's just one person) is what I would call artistic success. Creating music that has been heard by many is a success in becoming popular. Being able to sustain yourself from selling your music is a success in becoming a pro.

[zerocrossing]

Who cares if you're successful if you enjoy it?

People have hobbies, many of which cost many thousands of dollars. It's what people do to feel satisfied with life.

I know I'll never be a professional musician or producer, yet I keep piling money into this hobby. Why? Because I enjoy it.

Make music for yourself, not for others.

Well said. We've decided as a culture to measure "success" by income. Sure, this works if you decide to make something your profession. How about other things? My wife loves to cook, but she's not a chef. Should she stop? We raise our daughter but she brings in no income. Should we give up?

I tried for a long time to make a living and I found I actually hated doing music as a profession. The better I did the more I hated all of it. Instead of getting frustrated and quitting, I focused on what it was about doing music that made me happy and... I did it. I put myself though college to work on a more sure-fire career and never looked back. I enjoy my work and I enjoy my "play." Of course both can be frustrating too, but that's life.

[Shabdahbriah]