Feeling stuck musically? Here’s how to get unstuck—fast.
Have you ever felt like your musical journey was hitting all the wrong notes?
Well, you’re not alone. Today, I’m going to share my personal journey from being told I had “dead ears” to becoming a full-time music producer. More importantly, I’ll reveal the 3 key elements that transformed my approach to music - and how they can help you too.
My Musical Identity Crisis
Imagine being a kid who loves drawing but can't even hold a pencil right. That's how I felt when I started learning music in college.
I thought I'd be great because I loved music, but boy, was I wrong! It was like trying to speak a language where I didn't know a single word. Music classes were unbearable. I struggled to keep up with my peers. Completely overlooking my lack of experience compared to them, my confidence took a major blow.
I'm sure many of you can relate to this feeling of not being as good as you would like at something.
But what if I told you that these struggles aren’t a sign that you suck at music? What if they’re just symptoms of deeper issues - like a musical identity crisis, poor music language, or simply being a disorganized mess?
Intrigued by these questions, I embarked on a deeply “scientific” mission (think angsty journaling, endless web surfing, and reading more books than my high school English teacher could dream up). I spent several years learning about music and myself. It was therapeutic. The result? I discovered 3 key elements that transformed my approach to music.
Let’s dive in!
1. Your Ears Aren’t Dead, They’re Just Lazy
Remember when I mentioned “dead ears”? That was courtesy of my college music teacher. Talk about a confidence killer! But here’s the thing - he was wrong and rude. My ears weren’t dead, they were just… lazy like that friend who always bails on gym day.
Here’s how I put my ears through boot camp:
Deconstructed Listening: I read Bobby Owsinski’s “Deconstructed Hits” series. These books taught me to listen to music like a pro, breaking down songs instrument by instrument, section by section.
Study Playlists: I created playlists not for background music but for active studying. Listening to the same tracks on repeat, each time catching something new.
Instrument Learning: I started learning piano, bass, and guitar. This took me from hearing ideas on records to building my music vocabulary.
Try This: Start REALLY listening to music. Pick a favorite song and try to isolate EVERY instrument. What’s the bass doing? How about the drums? You’ll be amazed at what you start to hear!
2. Nail Down Your Musical Identity
When I started producing, I was all over the place - R&B, hip-hop, EDM, you name it—big mistake. I was diluting my musical identity, trying to be everything to everyone.
The breakthrough came when I finally understood the power of focus. Narrowing my focus to R&B - my true “zone of genius” - has made production easier and more fulfilling.
Try This: Ask yourself: Are you focused enough on one specific style? It’s not a lifelong commitment, but it’s an excellent starting point. It narrows the information you need to absorb, making it easier to digest and replicate.
3. The Productive Producer Principle
It’s the height of the pandemic, I’m trapped at home with my newly mobile one-year-old son, and my music career is slipping through my fingers. Sound familiar?
The game-changer? Realizing that my failing music business wasn’t just about lack of clients and never-ending parenting duties. It was about my complete inability to manage time in this new, chaotic reality.
This sparked a deep dive into productivity techniques and time management strategies. I created my own custom system, piecing together wisdom from productivity gurus like David Allen, Brian Tracy, Thomas Frank, and Ali Abdaal.
Try This: Start by identifying your short-term goals. Pick a few actionable steps for the week. Try time-blocking your days and create small blocks of time that you can dedicate to music. Even 15 minutes of focused practice can make a difference!
The Takeaway
Remember, these aren’t magic tricks, but they made a huge difference for me. If you’ve ever felt stuck or not good enough musically, try implementing these three elements:
Train your ears actively
Focus on your true musical identity
Master your time management
Your musical breakthrough might be closer than you think!
🧠 Quote of the week
"You can do anything—but not everything." – David Allen
This quote reminds me of the times I tried to be a versatile music producer, taking on any client or collaborating simply for the sake of gaining business and experience.
Whenever a project fell too far outside my zone of genius, I wasted too much unnecessary energy on the song. These often didn't turn into songs that I truly liked or that were released. It was time that could have been spent on more valuable activities like practicing an instrument or songwriting. Use your time wisely.
That's all for now.
Enjoy your week,
Melvin Darrell
