How You Spend Your Music Time

Subject: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:41 PM

I have had a theory that some of the time when "we" ("some Mudcatters") seem to be just doing BS (the dreaded "non-music"), it's because some of "us" are highly musical OFF-Cat and use Mudcat as a resource for songs as well as a place to blow off steam or get a creativity boost. That's been true in my case-- I might be here looking up songs to do and fool around some in threads as pages load or as I edit the songs and work up songsheets, etc.

But now I'm curious. Now that I have new sound toys with the new computer, all of a sudden the threads just aren't as interesting. So I wondered-- how much time do you spend (say in a week's time) Mudcatting, how much creating or arranging music, how much playing, how much performing, how much studying theory, how much learning new pieces?

And do you spend time creating Mudcat text that, if you really thought about it, you'd really rather spend making music? Or, as I suspect, do you actually have a pretty good balance going there?

~Susan

Subject: RE: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: Cappuccino
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:48 PM

Mudcat is both a help in making music and a relaxation from it. When I'm wondering why I still can't get it right after the 99th take, a few minutes reading the threads generally unscrews my head and my fingers.

And then I go and mess up the hundredth take...!

- Ian B

Subject: RE: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 04:52 PM

The answers vary from week to week, but it does seem I spend a lot less time at the cat when the music is flowing.

Subject: RE: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: RichM
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 09:33 PM

I'm in two bands, with other part timers. I have two practices each week, from 2 to 4 hours each and 6 to 8 gigs a month from both bands.

I try to go to weekly open stages too. And then there's the time I spend at home on my own practicing--nothing very structured here, it's done when I feel like it--I'm retired and set my own timetable.

I check in with Mudcat in the morning, when I check my email, then again each time I check email.

I think it's a good balance--it feels right anyway.

Rich

Subject: RE: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: Gypsy
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 10:50 PM

play solitarily minimum and hour a day. Then we have 2 sessions a week here. Mudcat summer, 'bout an hour a day, 4-5 days a week. Winter, more, but more music winter too. (part of seasonal income!) So, pretty good balance.

Subject: RE: How You Spend Your Music Time
From: pavane
Date: 27 Jul 01 - 06:38 AM

My wife's musical career (singing pop in pubs & clubs) has taken precedence, mainly because she can make money out of it, unlike me. Last night she was at a local pub, and at the end of the set (about 11.30 p.m.) they offered her more money to stay and carry on singing. So we didn't get out of there until about half past midnight. In between writing MIDI utilities for fixing her backing tracks, lugging kit etc. and earning a living, I don't get much time for folk at the moment. (Who said 'luckily for the local folk clubs'?)