Composing : Getting into the zone : Share your tips ! by Kevin Kancel

I just set up the software and then click on my primary instrument track (piano) and just start playing anything and then eventually - perhaps minutes playing in the general genre I want to end in. doesn't have to be even original or could be something i created for a different project. i just start playing - sort of like a skater getting in the rink and just going around.

I strongly believe that it doesn´t matter what kind of music you compose, the most important thing is create a composing routine. This will give more tools like create your music in a specific hour every day with the aim to avoid relying on inspiration because we will not always feel like that. Therefore it´s important to have a daily routine and manage our time.

Angel Sabastizagal That's a wise mindset, and there's no doubt it helps with consistency too. Thanks for your advice !

Well said Joel Irwin I really like the comparison, and from there, everything flows naturally. Thank you

Kevin Kancel I usually just have to sit down at my piano.

Thank you Kat Spencer

I'd say light a candle and look at it, be viscerally reminded of the fire element so as to ignite a spark within, burn some incense to clear the space of old energy and evoke new energy, and listen to the silence extremely closely until you can hear the subtle frequencies. Then surrender to what those frequencies are saying and find the metaphor within before expressing outwardly.

Rose Willow Thank you for your reply. Silence truly is a powerful tool before beginning the creative process !

Remind yourself what is the Soul-of-the-Goal for that particular piece of writing. Sheer entertainment? Awareness/Education? Inspiration? If anything does not support that Goal, out it can go. Of course, save those brilliant/funny/poignant/etc. pieces as you'll more than likely find another home for them in something else. Good luck!

Thanks a lot Pamela Jaye Smith !

I love this question, Kevin Kancel! Creative flow can be such a slippery thing to grab onto, especially when you’re diving into emotionally or sonically intense work like dark ambient and orchestral music.

For me, especially as a writer, I’ve found that having a transition ritual helps me enter the zone. I light a candle and listen to one of my writing playlists or a favorite score, something about that combination really helps signal to my brain that it’s time to focus and tap into the creative zone. It creates a kind of emotional doorway that helps me leave the day behind and get into the heart of the work.

Do you use any visuals or story cues when you compose, or is it more about emotional instinct for you?

Ashley Renee Smith Thank you for your reply ! The candles seem to be an effective help. For me, it's more about emotional instinct. I close my eyes, take slow and deep breaths, block out every other aspect of life except music, and convince my brain that I'll come up with something great after the composing session. From now on, I'll combine that with some of the tips in these responses !

I try to make sure that my workspace is free from clutter and remove any potential distractions (mute phone). These simple steps help prepare/remind me to relax and focus on the project at hand.

Thank you Allen Lynch for your reply !

Last night I did a Trailer for an associate / producer.

I dove right in, Granted, I set up some sounds the night before. One small Framework.

Then, from the Producer’s example, / YouTube video, I went from there. From the different loops - for this one, I added the melody from the keyboard from the Logic Pro Film template.

I didn’t use all tracks - of course, since it didn’t line up with the sample video sounds.

Real world all the way! (Smiles ).

Hope some of these frameworks / examples help.

I did look into Dorico, though the process for this short Trailer seemed like more set up than

Laying down the sounds in Logic Pro.

"Real world" pretty well still works, it seems.