ASCAP Expo pt.3 – Dan Kimpel

Hey people,

One of the best things I experienced at the ASCAP Expo was meeting new individuals.
Meeting people with the same passion for music, and the willingness to interact with one another.
When it came about to choose which panels I should attend, I knew I had to focus on panels
that dealt with issues I will face in the near future–knowledge that I can benefit from to deal with
on-coming, small goals.

Networking was a major factor at the ASCAP Expo, without a doubt. Sitting next to someone and saying,
“Hi, how’s it going?” was easier than I thought. So, naturally, attending Dan Kimpel’s seminar on Networking was an easy choice–well, I missed the Master Session with Pete Rock, but, y’know.

Here’s one phrase that everyone should remember from Kimpel,
“Effective networking has to benefit both parties.” Remember that line when approaching a potential
client, or collaborator. It has to work both ways–you gotta be able to offer them something in exchange
for their expertise. So, go on now, stop reading and go network!

Okay, okay, there’s more… a bit more : P
Developing a positive energy is vital–you can’t exert a negative vibe when networking–don’t be cold.
Kimpel explained that positive energy attracts positive energy–be open.

A lot of individuals don’t realize this but Music comes through collaboration.
What’s with the hate, folks? Take your ego outta it and push your talents forward.
You gotta treat people with respect–don’t just blow them off and think you’re too good for them.

Networking is for the future!

There’s tons of information to be written still, but I feel like making music now, so, bye!

–QP

ASCAP Expo pt.2

Here I am again folks, going through a few of my notes that I took
from the panels, and I feel like writing about the very first panel that featured
Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Callery, Wyclef Jean, Ryan Tedder and Craig Wiseman.

Alright, so one of the topics that kept popping up was about ‘Writer’s Block’.
Yeah, we’ve all been there–cruising along, everything is fine, then one day
you look ahead and there’s a dead-end–or, maybe, you’ve ran out of gas.
That totally sucks, doesn’t it?! I know, I know.

There’s a lot of different cases of The Block and usually the one that I find myself hitting
is not knowing where to take my music next or which direction I want to go.
It could be that I’m not happy with the chord progression,
or the instrument used for the chords, or it could be that I can’t figure out a nice melody
that fits within the chords–or the other way around.
Man, recently I’ve hit The Block before I even touched my equipment.
I was overly thinking the definition of R&B and when you tell someone
you make R&B music, how vague that can be! The elements of R&B can range from
fully fleshed tracks with acoustic guitar/piano or a slightly deep-kick with synths.
I was thinking about what I should do, and, well, when my computer was turned on…
I had no idea ~_~

Natasha Bedingfield’s case of The Block, back in the day, wasn’t about,
‘I can’t think of anything to write’ but her own perfectionism was her yellow light
that slowed her down. She thought too much about her work, in a sense of judgement–
thinking that the song was not good enough.
That is a huge Block, no doubt; thinking that what you’ve just made
shouldn’t have been made at all.

The lesson here, people, was, not to judge your work while you do it.
Craig Wiseman told us to let your cautiousness go–stop worrying and just let it flow.

Great advice, folks! Stop thinking about whether or not your work is good or bad
while you create it. Simply because you have to focus on your creativity at that point–
Once it is complete–then make a decision!

Remember, just keep making music, even if it does not turn out amazing–its all practice.
When I was unhappy listening to my past tracks, my girlfriend told me, you have to make
bad ones to know which ones are good–word.
You gotta make a few crap songs (or MANY) to make good ones!

That’s all for now–I’m hungry.

–Quality Pusher