Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    During the summertime I'll slow down a bit, but in the winter I average
    maybe 20 hours a week in the studio. On weekdays I spend about 30
    minutes before work just keeping the fingers nimble. Weekends will
    often find me in there by 6:00 AM, not emerging until 9:00 or so. Then 
    I'll hit it numerous times during the day.
    
    If I go in on a weeknight it's usually for 3 or 4 hours at a whack,
    depending on what I'm doing. It's hard to describe what takes up my
    time, sometimes I'm editing patches, sometimes I'm sequencing cover 
    tunes for "clients", sometimes I'm composing, sometimes I'm just
    jamming...
    
    Edd

    This is my #1 problem.
    
    My musical priorities come down to:
    
    1. My band
    
    2. Bass practice
    
    3. MIDI shenanigans.
    
    The band takes up one night per week minimum for rehearsal, then one or
    two more nights for gigs.  Plus some time at home (varies) learning
    songs.
    
    Bass practice I *try* to do before I go to work in the AM, I used to
    try to get in an hour, now it's more like 30 minutes.  I try *not* to
    practice in the evening.
    
    So where do I get time for my MIDI stuff?  Well, I fit it in when I
    can.  If I'm on a roll with a song, I may use up some bass practice
    time to work on the song.  Otherwise I may go *weeks* between working
    on anything!
    
    Oh yeah, since I started writing articles for the Transoniq Hacker, I
    have *less* time to play the MIDI gear because I'm using it to research
    out tech issues and stuff, plus I'm blowing time typing in and editing
    the articles!  Of course, the $$ I get for the writing can go to more
    MIDI toys, but...
    
    What's missing from the picture is that I have a family and like to
    spend time with them (now I know why family bands get started!) plus
    there are household chores, grad school, compiling COMMUSIC tapes 8^),
    conducting sleep deprivation experiments 8^)  8^), etc. so it's not
    like after 5 PM and on weekends I suddenly have gobs of free time to be
    Vangelis.
    
    So on the average, I'd say 3 hours per week *tops*, usually less. Oh
    well, at least I'm going for the gusto  8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    						Brian

    Good lord, Fool around at 6 AM sat mornings, practice BEFORE work, 
    going to Grad School while still playing in a band and then foolin with 
    this stuff? 
    
    Jeez, I'm sorry I asked. I'm fat-assed lazy by comparison. I feel
    terrible.
    
    "sakman"

	Composing: 		0 hours/week
	Practicing Piano: 	0 hours/week
	Transcribing: 		0 hours/week
	Studying Music Theory: 	0 hours/week
	Practicing Recorder: 	0 hours/week
	Practicing Violin: 	0 hours/week
	Practicing DH: 		0 hours/week
	Improving AlgoRhythms 
	automatic music 
	composition system:    20 hours/week
	-----------------------------------
	TOTAL:		       20 hours/week

	The numbers were all different 5 years ago.
	Tom

    I probably spend about 8 hours/week actively doing music-related stuff.
    I usually have a new tune or two going through my head at any given
    time of day.  'Course, that's why I got into MIDI anyway.  My wife, a
    *real* musician (plays in Symphony Pro Musica, I'm only the Treasurer),
    is the same way.  We often play the game of guessing what tune is in
    each other's heads.  I win when it's one of mine in her head.  Other
    than that, I don't do much except church, family, politics and routing
    out the DCU BoD ...
    
    Steve

    Great note.......Sad in a way though.....


     I've got a 4 track, keyboard, bass, guitar, drum machine, playing
   experience 



     and



    I've started doing jobs around the house that I managed to fend off be-
   cause I really didn't want to do them!!!!!!!! House is looking good though. 
   8-)

    If I had someone who liked to mess around too then I'm sure it'd work. 
   I don't find it nearly as much fun as playing in a band.

    I play guitar or bass for 30 minutes a day or so. BUT.....trying to force
   myself into the cellar and put a tape together.......I just can't seem to
   bring myself to do it.

    I quit smoking so I'm sure I'll eventually get over this and make some 
   tapes. 8-)

    - Bob 
  

    It varies based on the time of year.. in the hot weather (you know,
    March thru October) it's very difficult to get into the studio.  But in
    the cool weather, probably 2 eve's of 3 hours each and both weekend
    mornings, 3 hours each.  The tasks vary based on where I am in an album
    project, too.  Also when I get a new piece of gear there's a ramp-up
    period of relative inefficiency until it's smoothly incorporated into
    my studio.  Sometimes recording, sometimes fiddling with the music in
    Performer, sometimes mixing, sometimes...
    
    karl

    Practicing my favorite acoustic instrument -- about 30-45 minutes/day
    Studying music theory                      -- 0 - 2 hours/week
    Directing my stepson's trumpet misadventures- 0 - 1 hour/week
    MIDI stuff, mostly Cakewalk sequencing      - 0 - 5 hours/week (closer
    						        to 0 than 5 lately)
     
    Managing my dependents' problems            - all remaining time
     
    So, it varies, probably an overall 5-6 hours a week with the emphasis
    on practice and MIDI stuff not taking too much out of the 5-6 hours.
     
    Even if I was independently wealthy and didn't have a care in the
    world, I doubt I'd spend more than 2 hours a day on MIDI and 2 hours
    a day on practice, I have tons of other interests competing for my
    time.  I guess what I'm saying would be 5-6 hours a week in reality,
    maybe 25-30 hours a week "wish-list style".  The reality would be
    more if my wife didn't constantly harp on "are you messing around
    with your music again, GRRRRRRR, instead of spending time with us!"
    (believe me, they *DO* get the overwhelming lion's share of my
    off-work time, but let me stop here before I get myself over ice
    that's too thin).
                     

    ...NOT enough
    
    Approximative schedule:
    
    
    Mandolin	1 hour/day	(electric and acoustic)
    Violin	30 min/day      (try to catch up what I lost during last
    				ten years)
    
    Bass/drums	1 to 2 rehearsal/week
    
    Alphorn	during vacation in mountains (no question to play it at
    		home)
    
    Sequencer programming will start next week (VOYETRA, DX7, evtl TG77 if
    money!!)
                
    Dreaming about a mega, giga, tera show (no details, unless I wouldn't
    stop for a while)	1 hour/week
    
    			Jakob J.
    

	I end up playing about an hour a day.  I don't play to practise or
	churn out a song - I just play.  Sometimes I'll hit upon a nice riff
	or chord sequence which (usually over a period of a few weeks) may turn
	turn into a song. 

	When I feel I have something worth laying down on tape, I spend the
	whole weekend (sometimes with a friend who shares similiar tastes
	in music) recording.  I always return to a rough cut and keep
	polishing it until I feel it's frozen enough to mix down.

	Being single, not playing in a band and not having a driveway to
	shovel or a garden to maintain, leaves me enough time to indulge in
	my passion.

	/ravi

    
    	My wife objects when i disappear for 4-6 hours straight. She
    objects when i dart in for 45 min here, 15 there etc.  I usually
    accumulate a load of bad will, and then back off for a few days.
    
    	I also am very business with kids music (marching band's etc),
    playing string bass once a week (chamber & orchestra), and community
    duties.  I get burned by this sometimes because i'll settle for less
    on some complex overdub, just to get frustrated later and want to
    re-do it.
    
    	I have really never done anything of consequence with a sequencer -
    too time consuming, and too much like writing code which i do enough
    of while here.  
    
    	The sad statitic - i bought a new tascam 424 beginning of May, and
    i've really only got 3 complete songs done, with a fourth undergoing
    major reconstruction.  Nonetheless, i still find it my own personal
    best 'quality time', so no real complaints.
    
    	bob
    

My schedule is very similar to /ravi's.  I practice when I can (usually
30-45 mins/day) and record/mix when appropriate (when a new song is ready,
usually every few weeks), which generally require a few hours to produce a
rough cut.  I have no interest (yet) in MIDI, but most of my evenings are
already tied up with other activities.  I usually fill 1 7" tape per year,
and it feels like a comfortable pace for a single, bandless 'hobbyist'.

BTW, I was referred here by a friend, and this is my first note.
Looks interesting....

Jon

    One persistent theme throughout this topic is, uh, static from the 
    spousal unit.
    
    Perhaps some of us that have successfully handled this would put in
    some soft words of wisdom.
    
    karl

    Off the top o' me head, here's what I can come up with.  This is all
    true and has been learned from experience.  My wife supports me very
    enthusiastically in my efforts, so long as I follow the rules:
    
    When you buy something new, buy her something new.  When you have to
    justify the cost of what you're buying, point out that it is "capital"
    and can be sold again.  That's why you can afford a $50 PCM card but
    can't afford a new $50 pair of shoes (for yourself, of course).  
    
    When your wife wants to snuggle and you want to work - snuggle.  This
    happened to me last night ...
    
    Invite the kids to play on the keyboard.  "See, dear.  Look at how much
    fun and education the kids are getting from the equipment!"
    
    Play the tapes in the car of your stuff that the wife and kids
    especially like.  Warmes her heart to see the kids singing and dancing
    in their seats to one of your tunes.
    
    Participate in your wife's creative efforts.  (My wife plays in a
    community orchestra.  I'm the Treasurer for the orchestra.)
    
    Sing in the church choir and support your wife when she's the conductor
    (as she is in my case).
    
    As a rule, play with the kids for a little while when they barge in on
    you in your studio.  
    
    When your wife's violin needs repair or new strings, pay for it -
    eagerly - so as to set the proper example.
    
    Don't throw out that old student piano even though nobody plays it. 
    It's the only thing between you and having to "someday" buy a baby grand 
    for the living room that nobody will play.
    
    Play over headphones in another room so you don't wake her up at
    night.
    
    Don't "talk shop" at social occasions, but DO talk about her creative
    and social efforts when the topic comes up.
    
    Don't make the family sacrifice for your hobby.  That means, either
    make sure they have what they want or that your hobby becomes a
    business.
    
    Steve

    
    Well, my wife could not understand why on earth I need to spend so much
    time at a hooby. However, I have started playing my music for friends
    and fellow musicans and have I have receieved some positive feedback,
    to the point that a DJ on CD 96.9 is willing to play a couple of my
    songs on radio if I put them on 1/4" tape. Now she is kind of supportive
    beacuse she thinks I can make some money from it.  Well, actually I
    won't mine but I don't know how to, but the support or lack of flack
    from her is good enough for now.
    
    Errol

>a DJ on CD 96.9 is willing to play a couple of my
>    songs on radio if I put them on 1/4" tape.

Tapes on CD 96.9! Heresy!  ;^)

Congrats. Tell us Bostonians when they will play.

Dave

    >Congrats. Tell us Bostonians when they will play.
    
    >Dave
    
    Well, I don't own a reel to reel tape recorder and frankly
    I don't know what that will buy me.  I don't think the
    fact that my song plays on the radio gets me anywhere, so
    I haven't decided yet whether I would persue it.
    
    Thanks, anyway.
    
    Errol

    I've found the spousal static situation is ameliorated when
    
    o	the music produced is listenable
    
    o	money isn't tight
    
    o	there's sufficent space/privacy for the studio setup
    
    o	I actually USE everything I purchase
    
    o	I use headphones for everything but final mixing
    
    o	there's a chance, however slight, of maybe recouping $$$
    
    o	that the spouse ENJOYS the music thus created
    
    o	spouses' basic intimacy needs are met
    
    karl

    
    Hey, I've been married, and I'll probably be married again, but I don't
    think spousal approval should be an ingredient in your musical vision. 
    No slam at the people who've volunteered their personal considerations,
    and I see nothing wrong with producing an occasional special tune for
    the spousal unit, but I can't see familial censorship as a continuing
    factor in one's work.
    
    You guys didn't really mean that ALL of your stuff is produced within
    those constraints, right?
    

    Mine is.  I've even had to liquidate my entire MIDI setup until the
    spouse and family were able to handle the extra stress of a MIDIholic.
    
    Steve  :)

    Re: .19
    
    My spouse has no input to the *music* (she's tone deaf, anyway) but she
    has *lots* of input into where the heck $$$$$$$$$$$ are disappearing
    into and how much time I'm wasting on music (both MIDI at home and out
    in the real world with my band).
    
    							Brian

    I was once given the ultimatum "Either the music goes or I go...".
    
    ...sure do miss her.
    
    Edd

    
    	I spent a whole 1.5 years without a 4-track. She can't understand
    why it takes me so many listens for final mix? (How can you stand 
    hearing it over and over? I can't, so i keep going until i can!)
    
    	All my daughters are old enough now to be interested in boys
    instead of synth's, so i've lost the "listen to how much fun  they're
    having" line, but as i say, "heh, if i'm in there(music room) that
    means you can watch something other than 'da bruins..", not that it
    add's much benefit to the situation :-)
    
    	And Steve's right - i spent much bucks on her birthday this year,
    and for the last few weeks it has been fairly quiet....
    
    
    	bob
    

    re .19 - 
    
    >... I see nothing wrong with producing an occasional special tune for
    >the spousal unit, but I can't see familial censorship as a continuing
    >factor in one's work.  >You guys didn't really mean that ALL of your 
    stuff is produced within >those constraints, right?
    
    John, I don't EVER produce a piece 'for' the SU.  Nor do I deal with
    'familial censorship'.  It's more of a 'where I spend my time' issue.
    Now if I was producing vomit-inducing alternative death thrash or 
    something, with the attendant appearance and lifestyle, then I'd 
    expect some REAL flak and spousal disappearance.  I consider myself
    lucky that my SU appreciates and likes (most of) the music I produce.
    She doesn't impact the CONTENT of the music at all.
    
    But there IS a balancing act with the time and the money and the space
    involved in funding/manning a MIDI studio.  A small project I expect to
    commit soon is producing a SU-written relaxation tape for use in her
    work (she's a counselor at a residential treatment center).  THAT ought
    to get me points for months to come.
    
    I've been wondering if there was ever a book written about the SU's of
    major composers, and if there is an underlying theme ... 
    
     "You always seem off in a dream world -   Are you listening to me ?"
    
    karl
    

    Karl,  
    
    You've seen the movie, "Amadeus", right?  Now, any of you having
    trouble with your spouse RENT THE VIDEO AND SEE IT WITH YOUR SPOUSE.
    Rub his/her feet.  Pop up some popcorn.  Have a nice long discussion
    afterwards.  Mozart was a GENIUS!  And, his wife didn't know it or
    appreciate it.  Sure, she went through a hard time, but his occupation
    was an annoyance.  WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED if she had been more
    encouraging.  My wife pointed this out to me.  The movie is actually
    FAR more nice to her than reality.  In reality, she was an idiot.  
    My wife, recognizing the potential genius in me (note - I said
    POTENTIAL!), is careful to make sure she supports me in my music.  In
    return, I try to honor and respect her and, as Karl said, try to make
    sure that the family is not lacking of my time and energy.
    
    Besides, music tends to make me more energetic at ...  everything!
    
    Steve

    re: .19
    
>    Hey, I've been married, and I'll probably be married again, but I don't
>    think spousal approval should be an ingredient in your musical vision. 
    
    It *shouldn't* be, but having been in a situation that caused this, I
    can definately say that playing music that a spouse doesn't like can
    cause incredible friction.  
    
    I used to play in a band that did a style of music which I like, but my
    wife doesn't.  She secretly always wanted me to quit and gave me flack
    during that period of time.  The band eventually broke up and I ended
    up doing a different style of music in my next project, and
    coincidentally she liked this style and I get less pressure about what
    I do musically now.
    
>    You guys didn't really mean that ALL of your stuff is produced within
>    those constraints, right?
    
    Of course not.  I have wildly different musical tastes then my wife
    does and some of what I do she doesn't like.  This will always be true,
    but she does seem to like *most* of what I do now and I believe things
    are better between us because of it.  It seems to me that I get less
    grief when I'm producing stuff she likes.
    
    When finances are good and she's happy about what she gets to buy, it's
    much easier for her to allow me to spend money on music related things. 
    If my purchase puts any pressure whatsoever on the budget or her
    ability to buy something for herself, then it's trouble.
    
    Greg (usually read-only, but liked this discussion)
                                                            

    I didn't get the impression that style of music mattered. I got the
    the impression like in my case it was time spend doing the activity
    and money spent on the activity.
    
    My wife could care less what kind of music I do.(My stuff is in the
    basement and she doesn't hear that much of it). She likes what's on the
    radio.
    
    Errol