#50 - Book of Song Ideas

The crucial difference between “mistakes” and “imperfections”

Good morning. This will be my last post for awhile. Today I'm sharing three short things I did a couple of years ago. It's unlikely that you've heard them.

I have some recordings I intend to do nothing about, despite their imperfections. Sometimes it seems like the little quirks and overall sense of looseness end up taking on important qualities of their own. When I listen back, I realize that the imperfections say something about me that wouldn’t be there if I toiled for hours trying to capture a perfect take.

I think that at a certain level of production, a “perfect” recording might lack character even if it demonstrates technical mastery. We have to get to know, and then learn to love, the things that make us different from an “ideal.” Often a great vocal performance is defined by a slight waver in the voice, or maybe a painting is captivating because of a brushstroke that seems a little irregular.

This means distinguishing between mistakes (which I’d want to correct) and imperfections (or “diversions from normal”).

This music inspires the idea for a “Book of Song Ideas,” a hopeful future compilation of recordings with all their quirks. “Book of Song Ideas” is an ironic title, as these “ideas” are the final products.

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Book of Song Ideas - 1

This was one of those rare things where I sat down with my portable keyboard, had some inspiration, and somehow made a recording I ended up loving right then and there. It doesn’t often happen like that. At first I heard mistakes and yes: if I want to achieve the “exact” sound and flow I had in mind at that time, then I would have to practice and re-record this. But I don’t want an “exact” version — I don’t want to try to record something that is “more me” than what it already is. I love this recording and what it has come to mean.

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Book of Song Ideas - 2

This is an extreme example, a particularly wrinkled page in the book. It’s both quirky in that chance way I’ve been talking about, but also quirky by design. I added some pitch waviness so there is a feeling of things being out of tune, and I approached my playing in a very loose way so as to maybe allow a personal brand of sloppiness into the mix. In this way, I ended up with something that kind of embodies the “Book of Song Ideas” idea.

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Book of Song Ideas - 3

I designed an organ-like sound on a synthesizer and recorded this tune with a few potential lyrics in mind (so in this case maybe I’ll record a separate version someday). The quirkiness here I think comes from the sound as it has been designed but also in the “tentativeness” in my playing. Slight pauses or hiccups or imperfections in my timing that I think once again end up being an important part of the ultimate sound.

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Are there creations you have cast aside out of a sense of perfectionism, because they're not “exactly right?” What if you go back to them and try to see these “imperfections” in a different light, a light that shines on the essence of who you are?

I've realized that coming to understand and appreciate “myself” in my music requires an appreciation for what “mistakes” really are sometimes. Often they are just mistakes and I try to correct them. And that’s okay. But often imperfections have much more to say. They might show a sense of hesitation, overconfidence, or joy-in-not-caring and those things can take your character and add it to whatever it is you're creating.

And I love that.

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Well this has been a wonderful experience. There are a few other things I need to prioritize now so I’m going to move away from the twice-weekly posts and more towards a “whenever I can” schedule. I have lots of plans for music outside of Substack. Will keep ya posted!