Journal 6 - Week of October 19th

I finally sat down and wrote a song.

Or at least attempted to write a song. With my level of self-criticism and self doubt, (which I am working on), it could be a while before I can call it performable. But at least its a start. And just like the drawing I made last week, the act was somewhat liberating. Many, many questions popped into my head. Thoughts and feelings were immediately written down, for I feel keeping notes on the process is important to further work on the song.

I had the idea of writing a song in my head for some time, so there were many steps to getting where I needed to go.

I started off by filling my head with a lot music that I enjoy. Bands like Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Jets Overhead usually make me feel something, so I listened to them a lot. Partly because I enjoy their sound, and partly because their sound feels similar to something I would compose.

The process started out with organizing my space. I had a sheet of paper for thoughts on one side of me, and a sheet for the lyrics on the other. I immediately gained respect for those who can write a good pop song. Its not easy!

I was challenged with what to work on first, the chords or the lyrics- or both. What seemed most natural to me was creating a topic - one of which had been on my mind for a while - my relationship. Once I had this topic I then attempted to make the sound of that feeling. I tried to hear the lyrics over top of the chords of my guitar.

Challenging! Words came to mind, but a distinguishable and interesting melody to sing them to did not come so smoothly. What was worse was that the words that did come to mind felt just boring. I'm trying to sing about wanting someone back - but all that came to mind was familiar lyrics and clichés.

erase erase erase!

Brian Hendricks' message about making lots of mistakes made me feel a little more at ease. Although he says its necessary to make lots of errors, I still feel like maybe songwriting isn't my thing.

The lyrics looked more like a poem than song lyrics. So thats what I did - I thought of them as poem - then I would mold them into lyrics a little later.

The more focus I gave the project the more I realized song writing can't be forced. Although music is a natural thing for me, songwriting might be something I need to practice.

I went to bed a little frustrated and angry. Why is it so hard to get the feeling out? I know what it is I'm trying to say - but why can't it flow from my pen and hands?

Journal 5 - Week of October 12th

This week's creative act strayed away from the norm, atleast for myself. As music is my most natural form of expression, I felt I needed to do something different. I decided to create something visual as apposed to audible. And I found the act was quite liberating.

I wanted to sketch something I felt represented the University life. What image would be in my mind 20 years down the road when I think of my college days?

It wasn't difficult to choose. When I walk out of the Maclauren building (I think thats wrong), I get a great view of our library. Its a stunning shot. Something about its towering stature ruling over the quad makes me very content. And at night time, it has an even bigger effect. The lights make it feel like a beacon to the poor soul's trying to get in and get some books before it closes.

First off, the sketch was done from memory. I took a mental photo and then went inside and did my drawing. Interesting thoughts came into my head as pencil went to paper.

I found myself erasing a lot. Do great artist erase a lot? I feel like when ever I watch that show on t.v with the creepy guy who talks as he paints, he never makes a mistake - its a work of art each time. Is that from hours and hours of practice, or was he just born that way?

I found I was my own worst enemy.

"Thats doesn't look right" and "what kind of tree is that!?"

I was very critical of my sketch. My library looks more like the White House.

There were some proportion problems. For what ever reason, this led me to think about the last time I drew.

Grade school!

This reminded me of some of the first readings we were assigned. Especially the one on the state of the education system. How come art isn't more a part of the POST secondary institution as well? Why aren't we asked to sketch our graphs, molecules and ecosystems?

Are we really at a turning point like Maslow believes?

Journal 4 - Week of October 5th

My number is up. I got sick this week.

Whenever I get sick and take time away from school and practicing my instrument, I feel down right lousy. Lousy 'cause I'm sick and lousy 'cause I can't grow as a musician. Its amazing how much of an "addiction" creativity can be. I'm definitely itchin' to get back to it. Back to the practice room, back to the orchestra. But hey, I'm doing the right thing by staying home right?

My creative act was making fiber fun.

I ate an apple, only this time I dunked it in penut butter.

Our guest lecturer Dr. Harding showed the class works of art from hundreds of years ago. They were all just astounding. Its interersting how mankind channels its creativity. Creativity gave us "David", the atom bomb - and made fiber fun.

Journal 3 - Week of the 28th

I quite enjoyed Peter's lecture. I think it was the best yet.

The friday of this week my band performed at Lucky bar in downtown Victoria. It was the first gig we've had since we got back this school year, and it went quite well. Our musicianship was at a new level, our energy was high and there was a solid crowd in front of us. After this gig, perhaps the morning after, I asked myself why things seemed to go so well. We played better than we ever have before.

I believe it is because of two main factors:

1. We have been rehearsing 2-3 times a week, which is more than we rehearsed last year.

2. More importantly, the members of the band have all grown a little older and a little wiser, and I feel I'm starting to hear this in the band's sound.

It brings into focus the amount of rehearsal and maturing it takes to "make it" in the music business. Being a professional artist is not easy. It takes 10,000 hours of rehearsal and motivation to never give up. But then again, isn't this a requirement of being great at anything?

Check out my bands mypsace!!!
http://www.myspace.com/thenovamatics