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Do you specialise in one or two genres or do you just do them all?
I feel that every other album I get commissioned is something entirely new for me.
Just this year, for example, I’ve done two albums of genres I didn’t even know existed.I mention this cause I keep hearing things like ‘I’m the go to Rock guy for three libraries and that’s all I do’ etc. and wondering whether I’m stretching my self too thin by doing a lot of genres that I’m unfamiliar with?
I mean, I think I’m able to pull it off fairly convincingly, but there’s a difference between somebody sitting down a few days and trying to write in a genre they’ve never written in before vs. somebody who eat, sleeps and breathes that genre.
So, do you know your limitations (and work within them) or do you keep challenging yourself?
Do you specialise in one or two genres or do you just do them all?
I’m willing to try anything. I like the challenge and it’s educating. I’ve done well enough stepping out of my comfort zone to continue.
I jump around to different genres, you never know if you will be good at one til you try it. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised, sometimes I realize that a style is not my forte. I do have a few genres that I am great at (rock, vacation-type music, happy commercial), and I do more of those tracks than any others.
I think it really depends on what your goals are and where you are at in your career as a composer. If you are new and trying to break in honing your skills in one genre until you can get paid and put food on the table is most logical. From that point, branch out and test the waters. If you are in this as a hobby I say try it all…but that’s just my two cents.
I mention this cause I keep hearing things like ‘I’m the go to Rock guy for three libraries and that’s all I do’ etc. and wondering whether I’m stretching my self too thin by doing a lot of genres that I’m unfamiliar with?
I think the problem for me is when people talk down about a genre/style, but still want to collect the check from it. If You’re gonna do the music “Do it to The Best of Your Abilities; and not something that’s Tired, Typical, and disrespectful to the music”.
I’m willing to try anything. I like the challenge and it’s educating. I’ve done well enough stepping out of my comfort zone to continue.
Art, “when you know how to cook. You can work in ANY Kitchen”.
If you are in this as a hobby I say try it all…but that’s just my two cents.
Yeah really, that’s what that advice is worth, 2 cents. I take exception to that comment. In the many decades I’ve been in this business I’ve never considered it a hobby!
Please clarify as to why that is such a bad comment Art. How else does one learn but through trial and error? Perhaps I may have missed something somewhere but most have learned pretty quick if they can or cannot compose in a genre by attempting it. And that’s not just in music. Maybe I should have been more clear on what I was stating.
Please clarify as to why that is such a bad comment Art.
The implication, in your comment, was that only a hobbyist would/should try stretching out. A “serious” composer wouldn’t/shouldn’t. At least that’s the way I read it.
Understood Art and definitely not what I meant to convey. All composers should try new genres as I certainly do and sometimes quite miserably. But, if you are a new composer and/or serious about being a composer and doing this to make ends meet by all means try new genres as well. But, definitely hone in on your specific niche so you don’t starve. In fact, I recently recall a famous library composer stating to blitzkrieg your primary genre to break through and then spread your wings in additional genres. The hobbyist and those that have day jobs that pay the bills in my opinion can afford to freely try many genres and not have the electricity cut off should they fail. So just to clarify again…yes, everyone try new genres and grow.
Been doing this for a year and only on RF sites… Have sold a diverse variety of styles from Heavy Metal to Sweet Ukulele to EDM to Orchestral to Ethnic World Music, etc.
For me, sticking to just one style will get boring real fast… Though, I have been advised to stick to one genre for approaching exclusive libraries.
So just to clarify again…yes, everyone try new genres and grow.
Thanks BLACKWIDOW88. Sorry if I misread.
Btw….how do you quote here?
Click the b-quote button and again after the quote.
Should look like this:
<blockquote>Btw….how do you quote here?</blockquote>I Like to see what the library needs and try my hand at what they need…I do enjoy producing different genres… I also found talking to my younger friends to see what they are listening to….that’s when I discovered Lo-Fi and electric swing..
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