music help: i’d like to motivate my friend to play music… - Help.com

at_the_gates_9621
offline Verified (3 months, 1 week) Visit at_the_gates_9621's shoutbox
An Unknown Location

i’d like to motivate my friend to play music…

you see he’s been my friend for over 2 years now and both of us have been making music for several years before we met. i have my own steady band and he has been a part of the band in the past, but dropped out several times.

so we agreed he should never be in my band again and if he does want to play in a band, he’ll start his own at his own pace.

the problem is, he’s a very depressed guy and doesn’t like the music he makes. he wants to make more folky style music like Bob Dylan, but for some reason be makes pop punk songs that he hates.

i can’t help him with that because i play a completely different style. but i have guitars and programs and a good computer, recording gear… everything he needs to make good recordings. however, he lacks inspiration and just drops out of it constantly.

so my question is… how do i motivate him to do it? i’ve been trying to motivate him, i just don’t know how to do it properly. he’s very talented, but he hasn’t pushed as far as i have which is why he doesn’t have a band. he is just as capable as i am. so how can i get him on the right track and make him happier? thanks..

This open post was written 1 month, 3 weeks ago | V/U/S: 73, 4, 3 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post


Reciprocity (0) Reciprocation Failure -- The poster has NOT helped anyone else yet!

Since writing this post at_the_gates_9621 may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. at_the_gates_9621 is a verified member, has been around for 3 months, 1 week and has 22 posts and 135 replies to their name.

Post Tags (8)

music, band, guitar, Folk guitar, Bob Dylan, rock, motivation, support (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

Replies (4)

Where were you?

Click and drag to move the map around. FAQ: How we place people on this map »
You can also watch events on Help.com as they happen
Mouse over the map for 2 seconds to see an expanded, interactive view

ZeroSum offline Verified User (2 months, 1 week) Shouts: 2 #
An Unknown Location | 1 month, 3 weeks ago (17 minutes after post)

I know the feeling…you want to make one type of sound but end up with something entirely different. How do the punk songs he makes sound to you? I’m guessing they’re good anyway haha.

Does he sincerely want to make music? You can’t do much really, and if he lacks the drive to make music right now, you can’t force it to happen.

I think the best remedy would be for him to take a rest from writing music and perhaps just do a whole tonne of listening instead. Make him a mix of the most amazing songs you know. That oughtta inspire him. Make him listen to Elliott Smith too. Just cos.

Quote this reply Report this reply to moderators
Help me with: I don’t have many friends.
at_the_gates_9621 offline Verified User (3 months, 1 week) Long Term User Shouts: 0 #
An Unknown Location | 1 month, 3 weeks ago (23 minutes after post)

his music sounds great. he just thinks it’s too generic. but you make something your own.. that changes. and when you stumble upon something good.. you shouldn’t throw it away just because it’s not 100% original. because nothing will ever be truly original.

he wants to make music, but time and time again he’s said he wants to work in a studio. but it goes back and forth. now, at the present, he’s sure he wants to play music in a band.

i don’t know what’s best for him since his mind constantly changes. but i know his music deserves to be recorded. i could record it myself, but that wouldn’t be his music’s true voice…

Quote this reply Report this reply to moderators
Help me with: i would really like a Galneryus t-shirt.
ZeroSum offline Verified User (2 months, 1 week) Shouts: 2 #
An Unknown Location | 1 month, 3 weeks ago (34 minutes after post)

Hmm, it’s only human to get hung up about “originality.” Who hasn’t been there? If only he could have your attitude eh? Lol :)

Has he recorded anything then? Presumably you guys have some kind of protable recording devices. Tell him to record every idea he has and never chuck it away. This is excellent for musical growth as it allows for you to come back to things, change you mind about things and expand on them. Just mess about with stuff. If none of his stuff has been recorded, with the portable recorder, he can quickly record it in rough and have a listen to it properly and get opinions from other people.

A band might be great for motivation because then you have the entire band wanting to make music, but it sounds like he needs some kind of musical direction first. It could turn out to be productive or not, but in any case, it can’t hurt. If that’s what he wants to do, he should go for it (just need to find the band hehe.) Maybe after trying out different approaches, he’ll settle into something. If he really wants to do something though, the worst things he can do is think of all the things he could do and not do any of them.

Quote this reply Report this reply to moderators
Help me with: I don’t have many friends.
spiratec9 online Verified User (1 year, 9 months) Long Term User Shouts: 11 #
Burnaby, BC, CA | 1 month, 3 weeks ago (5 hours, 23 minutes after post)

punk rock will make anyone be depressed.

Quote this reply Report this reply to moderators
Help me with: Religious Intolerance

Invite Others to Help

A logged in and verified Help.com member has the ability to setup a Friends List and invite others to help with posts.