The inspiration behind successful endeavors can be the single most important motivating factor for a band. As a musician, inspiration can come from a variety of angles and situations and should be captured for quick reference. The way that I look at it, on the road less travelled, a person needs to stop, sit down, take a deep breath, and remember why he or she is there to begin with.
Just as I am currently working with a good friend of mine to start a band, we have undergone a special project to collect the most inspirational 20 songs and create a playlist or CD for the other person to listen to. More than just a cheesy mix-tape for band mates, I have uncovered songs from years ago that just hit the spot and remind me of the things that have shaped my desire for music.
At the completion of the project, I have a CD with 20 individual songs that all have different musical arrangements and accents that reflect the type of music that I enjoy and the movements that send chills up my spine. I also get to listen to the top 20 songs that my lead guitarist has engraved into his musical personality. Something so simple has proved to be so encouraging and enlightening.
The instructions for this project are simple:
- Go through all of your music. Songs from way back and a few that have just hit your eardrums this year. We all have catalogues, collections, and ipods full of great music. Sometimes just scanning through album by album can allow you to dust off an old track that once blew your mind.
- Build a list. Put every song from every album into a play list. If the song means something, has a particular groove, or just sounds sweet – ad it in.
- Cut down the list. You can only have 20 songs (just because). Eliminate songs that maybe get boring after the first few plays or are simply not up to the standards set by a few songs. To increase musical diversity, choose one song per artist.
- Arrange the playlist. Make the track list flow from beginning to end where each song unravels into another. Open the list with a bang and close it with a grand finale.
- Package it up. Throw the playlist into your ipod and set it up for your next car ride or chill session. Burn the list onto a CD, write down the track list, and give it to your band to listen to.
What a great way to let your band really understand your musical influences and see your inspiration. I know that my playlist will continue to grow and evolve as more music enters in, but some of those songs will never fade and will always be there when I need to set down on the path’s edge and kick the volume to 10. |
