Every endeavor needs some ground rules otherwise things can just spiral completely out of control. So here we go.
The First Rule and the goal of the whole thing is to produce one piece of music per month for twelve months. By "piece" we mean a song or an instrumental with a beginning, middle and end. No 8 bar loops and calling it done. Other than that there are no rules for style or need to create something that would eventually become a cohesive album. Covers and perhaps remixes are allowed but only if the end result is a true reinterpretation of the original.
Some folks, especially many musicians and certainly Immersion Composition Society folks, might think that 12 songs in 12 months is a pretty tame. That's probably true, but unfortunately I know what's on my plate and I know that devoting even this much time to my craft will be challenging. I may surprise myself and produce a lot more than I think I will and if that's the case, well, w00t!
Second Rule, keep the software tools simple so we don't spend a lot of time futzing around. Everything is going to get recorded and mixed in Propellerhead Record and any virtual instruments will come from Propellerhead Reason. Spending hours procrastinating while trying out free VST plugins instead of making music isn't allowed. So while we're limiting the software, anything that can be banged on, clicked, picked, plucked, beaten, sawed, bowed, kicked or chewed on is allowed.
Third Rule, well, not a rule really, but anyway, other musicians are allowed to contribute. I'm the guy who has to get through this on his own but, hey, if someone wants to throw down a guitar track or sing a few lines or shake a tambourine I'm not going to say no. The First Rule is immutable though; I'm on a schedule.
Finally, the Fourth and most important Rule is to have fun. I've decided in broad terms what I'm going to produce and what I'm going to produce it with but anyone reading this will quickly realize that leaves a lot of room for experimentation. This exercise is an experiment in creativity, and learning how to balance a creative life with all the pressures of being an otherwise employed person in the 21st century. I'm truly looking forward to it.
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The twelve in twelve blog will attempt to document, in hopefully not too excruciating detail, an attempt by an amateur musician to produce twelve songs in as many months while also juggling a full time job, family and the various other aspects of modern life.
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