5 Reasons You Can't Finish Music

Summary

In this video, the creator shares five common reasons why music producers struggle to finish their tracks, along with practical solutions for overcoming each obstacle. Topics covered include the 'loop trap,' perfectionism, overcomplicating the process, the 'taste gap,' and the lack of structured guidance. With tips such as creating a simple finishing checklist, embracing a finished mindset, and curating the right tools, the video offers actionable strategies to help producers break free from these barriers. The creator encourages viewers to join a community or program like the Song Finishing Accelerator to ensure consistent track completion.

Takeaways

• 😀 **The Loop Trap**: Many producers get stuck creating loops instead of full tracks. The key to breaking this cycle is to structure the track beyond the loop phase, creating movement and progression.
• 😀 **Perfectionism Can Stall Progress**: Trying to make everything perfect can lead to endless tweaking and unfinished tracks. Accepting that ‘finished’ is a mindset rather than a goal can help overcome this obstacle.
• 😀 **Start Exporting Early**: Export your work as soon as possible, even if it’s unfinished. This mindset shift helps you view the project as a completed piece rather than an ongoing task.
• 😀 **Overcomplicating the Process**: Adding unnecessary plugins and effects can complicate the production process. Focus on what sounds good and avoid distractions from unnecessary technical tweaks.
• 😀 **Create a Simple Finishing Checklist**: Having a basic checklist for finishing tracks helps avoid getting lost in endless tweaking. A simple step-by-step process ensures you stay on track.
• 😀 **The Taste Gap**: Early in your music production journey, your work may not align with your ideal sound. Time and experience, along with having the right tools, help bridge this gap.
• 😀 **Have the Right Tools for the Job**: Curate your sounds and tools before starting a track. Having the right samples and instruments sets you up for success and helps avoid abandoning projects.
• 😀 **Mindset Shift is Crucial**: View each project as a work in progress, even if it’s not perfect. This shift in mindset will help you stay committed to completing it.
• 😀 **Understanding the Full Production Process**: To finish tracks, producers need to understand and adopt a structured, cohesive workflow that covers the entire production process.
• 😀 **Song Finishing Accelerator Program**: Programs like the Song Finishing Accelerator help you learn how to complete tracks by providing a structured approach, feedback, and community support.
• 😀 **Consistency is Key**: Continuously working on finishing tracks, using a clear process, and avoiding distractions like excessive tweaking will help you consistently produce finished music.

Q & A

What is the main reason why many music producers struggle to finish their tracks?

The main reason many music producers struggle to finish their tracks is due to getting stuck in the 'loop trap,' where they only create small loops instead of developing full tracks. This results in an inability to progress beyond the initial stages of a song.

How can producers overcome the 'loop trap'?

Producers can overcome the 'loop trap' by extending their 8-16 bar loops into larger sections, incorporating multiple variations and progressions. This helps move beyond the loop phase and starts to shape the track into a more complete structure.

What is the 'perfectionist trap' in music production?

The 'perfectionist trap' occurs when producers try to make their tracks perfect, tweaking every small detail even though they aren't at a high skill level yet. This results in frustration and unfinished projects.

What advice is given to overcome the 'perfectionist trap'?

The key advice is to focus on completing the track and export it as soon as possible, even if it’s not perfect. This shifts the mindset from focusing on imperfections to viewing the track as a finished product.

How can producers simplify their music production process?

Producers can simplify the process by avoiding unnecessary complexity, such as overusing effects or plugins. Instead, they should focus on basic tasks like EQ, arrangement, and mixing, which are essential for finishing tracks.

What is the 'finishing checklist' and how does it help producers?

The 'finishing checklist' is a list of essential tasks producers can follow to complete their tracks. It includes steps like final tweaks, fader balance, EQ, and mastering. By following a structured list, producers avoid getting lost in endless tweaking and can finish their tracks more efficiently.

What is the 'taste gap' and how does it affect new music producers?

The 'taste gap' refers to the difference between the music a producer wants to create and their current skill level. New producers often struggle to make music that aligns with their taste, but this gap can be bridged over time with practice.

How can producers address the 'taste gap'?

Producers can address the 'taste gap' by gaining experience and curating the right resources. This includes collecting sample packs, plugins, and presets that match the desired sound, so they can start producing music that reflects their taste.

What role do resources (samples, VSTs) play in finishing music?

Having the right resources—like samples, presets, and plugins—is crucial for finishing music. If producers don't have the necessary sounds or tools, they might struggle to complete tracks that match their vision. Proper curation of resources helps maintain focus and direction in the production process.

Why is it important to learn how to finish music, not just how to make it?

Learning how to finish music is important because many producers focus on individual aspects of production (like EQ, sound design, etc.) but don't learn the full process from start to finish. Being shown a structured way to complete a track helps producers break through barriers and consistently finish their work.