Comparing learning new skills to experiences learning art

@smokesalty Smoke
Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:57:59 +0000

@smokesalty wrote:

So, I've realised I tend to approach learning new things to how I learned to improve my art and writing. And honestly, learning whole new skills can be overwhelming because I know how many years I spent working on getting my art to the level it is at the moment.

Right now that skill would be music composition. Granted, I had an education in music years back but I've had to go back to the basics since it's been so long. Similarly to how I had to start art by learning from realism and the fundamentals of art, I've started learning music theory, and trying to get back into playing my guitar, which has been gathering dust for who knows how long. And through looking at how music is constructed to sound the way it does and listening to music I enjoy I'd like to get a better understanding for when I compose music myself.

And it's frustrating! I know that's what its like being a beginner artist looking at people who are incredible at what they do and not knowing how to get there myself. I've made a few short pieces of music (for context, I'm really inspired by video game osts, so I'm trying to make my own horror sounding ones for fun) and I realise that while I still have fun and like how some of it turns out, I am a beginner making basic sounding stuff. And that's normal!

So I'm trying to approach it like I did learning art. Looking at inspiration, looking at what they're doing and implementing it into my own work, listening to advice from experienced artists, practicing making things (even if bad) often to get a feel for it. And honestly, the idea that it'll take years of work to improve at can be a bit frustrating to think about, but enjoying making things is what keeps me going with practice.

There's my quick little ramble. Also, if any of you have any resources to share in regards to music composition, please do share as well