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How to DRONE without Boring Everyone May 11, 2024

Drones are kinda boring, and that's kind of the point I guess.

There's a whole genre surrounding drones, and I have to admit, I love a tasty drone myself.

Wobbly tape drones. Buzzy synth drones. Low drones. High drones. Organ drones....

Yeah, I like drones.

But I also like harmony and...

A.I. Just Changed Music... May 04, 2024

One reader of this newsletter, recently sent me this:

"What is the point in even trying to make music, if an AI is capable of creating in a few minutes a flawless Violin Concerto like one I just stumbled upon? It is 10 times better than anything I could dream to write."

"The questions...

SIX RULES of Electronic Music May 02, 2024

Anyone can make electronic music. And that's awesome.

But also...ANYONE can make electronic music. So...there's a lot of confusion when it comes time to actually turn all those cool sounds into a track or arrangement or composition.

I know one thing about the internet: people love...

How to Sequence without Boring Everyone Apr 20, 2024

I love a great sequence.

Lucky for me, a lot of electronic music heavily relies on sequencing. And like anything that's used a lot, sequences can start to feel stagnant, predictable, and cliché.

Today, we'll talk about some ways I've found to make my own sequences less...

Failure is part of the process... Apr 13, 2024

Actor Michael Caine once told a story from his early days as an up and coming actor.

In rehearsal for a play, he was attempting to enter a scene through a doorway. There was a chair blocking his path.

He sheepishly leaned his head in and told the director "I'm sorry, I can't get in....

How do I know when my music is FINISHED? Apr 06, 2024

When to Push Through and When to Pivot

One question I get pretty often is "how do I know when my music is finished?"

Or, "when do you know when you've hit that point where you start overthinking and making your piece worse."

Great questions.

In my own experience, "good enough" is a moving...

How to NOT rip off your own music Mar 30, 2024

I've often sat down at the piano and improvised something I really like. But then a strange feeling will come over me as I realize....I've already done all of this before.

It can be a tricky balance between maintaining one's own musical voice/taste and simply rehashing all the ideas we've already...

Why I Stopped Reviewing Music Gear Mar 23, 2024

A couple weeks ago, I saw this thread from a fellow artist I know and respect from Instagram.

As someone who has made my share of gear-centered content, I understand this sentiment.

When I first got serious about my YouTube channel a couple years ago, my first thought was, "well, I like synths,...

Why You Can't Forget That DUNE 2 Theme Mar 16, 2024

Crafting an Unforgettable Melody

When you think of a Hans Zimmer score, you may not think of melodies at all.

Maybe you think about the powerful ostinatos and sequences in The Dark Knight. Or the layered orchestral textures in Inception. Or that catchy vocal riff and unique sound...

Please Repeat Yourself Mar 09, 2024

This week's Newsletter is brought to you by Kajabi.

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I run my entire online business through Kajabi. My only regret is not switching to them sooner.

If you've been...

Stop Learning About Music. Start Making It. Mar 02, 2024

About 4 years ago I decided that if I was going to call myself an independent artist, I should start acting like one and actually build my own audience.

I chose Instagram (it was a different time then and you could get decent organic reach there).

I made the decision to create one...

Surviving as Artists in a World that Hates Us Feb 24, 2024

I'll be hosting a LIVE WORKSHOP in March roasting some of my first releases and discussing what I might do differently if I were composing them today.

Availability will be limited so everyone can interact and ask questions.

Tickets will only be sold to folks who join this WAITLIST (no cost to...

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