It’s funny that you say that because I definitely used to do tai chi deep in the heart of the New York urban jungle. It’s where I first learned Chen style.
And this was my preferred soundtrack (probably still is):
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
My biggest project so far. Ready for the next challenge 
Finished this one recently.
Curious to know how it comes across to others. The thing about music that always fascinates me is how it’s interpreted differently sometimes.
Just pulled this one out and changed it a little.
Some mood music.
Probably going to change again once or twice more.
Feel like it needs more elements.
i love these.
amazing as always.
i’m choosing to relate to them as archetypes.
I think you’re striking a good balance right now. What were you thinking of adding?
no idea. haha.
well a couple.
There’s a little bit of drum that comes into my imagination while I’m listening to it.
And I thought I might like to f**k around with adding some (poorly done) konnakol to it.
THIS! is how konnakol should truly be done.
and more of a bass line maybe.
Really, I’ll just mess around and see what happens.
You can see from the date in the title that I first made a little sketch about a year ago. And then let it sit there for a year until I pulled it out this week and added to it. It’s not impossible that it might be another year before I do anything else with it. sheesh.
Kudos to you for re-visiting old projects. If I don’t finish a project within a few months it’s retired to my graveyard.
But yeah I’d say if you have ideas in your head of what to add definitely go for it. I guess I was pulling from my own experience of “this needs something”, but not knowing what it was and then I end up with a bunch of filler that distorts the original idea.
That konnakol video is nuts. Just watching that makes me feel like I’m out of breath lol
Meditation music. Made it. Then listened to it as I worked on a fun, personal creative project.
Simple, spare structure.
I’m choosing to call it Tikkun.
went back and listened to some of my music from a few years ago:
I haven’t done much lately actually I don’t think I’ve created anything since running RM I will be running UA ZP for the first time when I start my next stack
This is the last painting I created resin and mica
Gave myself some music composition therapy tonight. Really needed it, I guess. This is what I was playing around with. Built around a basic chord progression. Next, may put vocals on it. And maybe add another theme. Tired of just using one theme all of the time.
I feel this. Getting stuck in thematic ruts because of what’s familiar and easy is the worst. Some things to try. If you like the sound palette you use, change the shape of it. So instead of smooth gliding pads, try short stabs. Composition wise the space that opens up from the stabs can create different pockets of rhythm. Alternatively leave out a frequently used instrument and see what develops.
Chord progressions really screw me sometimes as well. It has a tendency to cement a song into a certain theme. Then I get locked into it because I build around the chord progression too much.
I don’t really feel screwed or frustrated. I actually do just enjoy it most of the time. For me, it’s usually just about seeking out beauty and discovering ways to express the voice of my soul.
I’ve learned some about the music business and it doesn’t appeal to me. I just like experimenting with new ways to express beauty and feeling.
And I feel like music is soul technology. It is a certain language of emotion. Do you know what I mean? It’s like it makes it possible to access certain states. That’s why I love music and that’s why I make it. The appeal of a more complex structure is that it can facilitate a certain kind of experience and expression. But every structure is a doorway to something.
And, you know? Every time composing and sketching is like meditating, exploring, and learning. Playing in an ocean of magical water. Just let it take me wherever it takes me. Discovering new forms. Feels good. And sometimes you really love the result.
Absolutely. And this is just my experience but I’ve found my music writing also mirrors my behavior in the world. There are other states yet to be explored because one feels more “at home”. For me I’m trying to make music less escapist and more expansive.
This is the important part you mentioned here. Discovering new things. It sounds like this works for you which is good. On the other hand the “take me wherever” approach seems to have my subconscious gravitating to familiar well worn paths.
Facing pages in sketchbooks.
