Don’t Forget to Listen

Music production is about, erm, production. Okay, this is obvious, I know. What I mean, though, is that producing music and listening to it are two very different animals. When I produce, all I am doing is listening to my own music. I am wary of putting anything else on, for fear that I might unintentionally rip someone else’s music off. This is how I like to produce, and it can be productive, but we must remember to keep up the other side of things. We must still listen to the music of others.

A quotation to consider comes from the author, Stephen King, who said that “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.” I agree with this, and I think that it also applies to music production. By continuing to listen to music, we can gain new inspiration or refuel our desire to produce music of our own. I, for one, am all too familiar with marathon sessions at my workstation. While productive enough, these sessions almost always start out much stronger than they end. I think this can be attributed to high inspiration from the outside world, which subtly fades as I spend time in front of the screen.

The proposal, then, is to be sure that we all spend a little more time listening to the work of others. Maybe you can take a break every hour to get away from the computer and listen to something you like. Maybe I should actively listen to the music that has inspired me before, looking to understand what I really like about it. It also wouldn’t hurt to listen to something totally new.

As producers, we should always be seeking new inspiration, and looking for new ideas to incorporate into our own style. I know it’s easy to fall into creating music of your own, just try not to forget to keep learning from others.

Professionalism in the Modern Age

The world has changed. In my lifetime, I have observed as my own society has become more e-oriented. Before, the world ran on paper, ink, and official meetings. Now, things work a little bit differently. Emails are considered professional in certain contexts, and travel for business is becoming less necessary, as individuals can virtually travel to anywhere in the world. The question is, how has a shift towards electronic mediums of communication changed the way we view professionalism?

The way I see it, business has changed hugely. With everyone online, it has become more cost effective and efficient to communicate via the internet than snail mail and in-person meetings. People can Skype in to interview for jobs that are across the country, or discuss an issue with a boss while he is out of the office.

To couple with a movement towards electronic media, technology has made huge advancements. While internet access used to be limited to Ethernet cables and clunky computers, people today can gain online access from practically anywhere. Wireless internet, mobile DATA, and small devices allow one to work more freely, as a mobile employee.

With all of these changes, we have seen businesses making shifts to remain current. This has positive and negative aspects. Positively, if employees can work from home or their favorite coffee shops, morale may increase. Also, the cost of running an office may become obsolete. To contrast, there appears to be a decrease in prevalence of professional attire. Less suits and ties are being worn, and professionalism is becoming less clear-cut.

To me, professionalism is no longer dressing up, grabbing your briefcase, and heading off to your 9-to-5 job. The term defines people who are productive in the new workplace. Professionalism is not a look or clear entity anymore, but rather becoming highly individualized, depending on technological advancements and career goals. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how much things can change from this point.

Looking at Tension in Music Production

With my graduation coming up in two weeks, I have been considering what to do after school. Since I plan to go to dental school starting in the fall of 2016, I view the next 8 months as a chance for me to pursue things that I may never be able to do again. This will be the first time I have not been in school in almost 20 years, and in a major sense, I see it as a new opportunity.

One thing I am certain to pursue more heavily is music production. Within this goal, I have a lot to learn on the computer side of things. I can play many instruments, but using synthesizers and samples to create music is quite foreign to me. As with anything musical, there is an overabundance of information. Fortunately, I found an apparently useful resource, a blog called EDMProd, run by a DJ/Producer named Sam Matla. Perusing this blog, I stumbled upon a very interesting post, entitled The Advanced Guide to Tension and Energy in Electronic Music. This post looks at music theory, and describes how concepts of tension and energy factor in to creating music.

Some things I like are:

The Focus on Fundamentals

Sam Matla writes as if he is talking to new producers, or those with significant room to improve. I like this, because it places emphasis on key concepts that one should incorporate into original music.

The Emphasis on the Importance of Tension

Upon reading this post, I felt a deeper understanding for the true value of creating strong tension in my music.

Usage of Examples from Relevent Artists

It was great to read about an idea, and then see it in action within a track from one of my favorite artists.

Overall, this post gave insight into an important aspect of music production, and backed it up with solid examples. I feel that I have a new goal on which to focus when producing, and I am glad to have something new that I can chew on.

Dentistry Around the Holidays

This week, I looked at a blog from Dr. Lilya Horowitz, DDS. The particular post, found here, focused on the holiday season and how it impacts practicing dentists. Throughout the post, Dr. Horowitz brings up some great points about what things are different during the holiday season, and shows some ideas with which I can relate.

The first point that Dr. Horowitz makes introduces a strange duality between one’s expectations of the holidays both inside and outside of the office. Most people are ready to relax, taking time off work to be with family and enjoy the season. In the dental office, however, the Dr. suggests that she becomes more busy. Part of this is related to the expiration of benefits at that time, so patients want to squeeze in all the dental work that they can. It also probably has to do with the fact that people tend to take time off of work, and so they have more availability to get their long overdue dental maintenance completed.

Later, Dr. Horowitz talks about her perfectionist attitude, particularly around Thanksgiving. This is something with which I can certainly relate, as I tend to be hesitant towards yielding control. She even calls this her “dentist personality”, using the term to illustrate a preference for handling everything on her own. I did not really think of how this type of quality might carry over into aspects of life beyond the professional setting, but Thanksgiving seems like a time that it would show more than ever. To me, this is an interesting circumstance, and something that seems all too familiar to me.

In this post, Dr. Horowitz discusses circumstances surrounding the holidays, and realistically looks at how the season can impact her dental career, and vice-versa. She makes interesting points about the mad rush of patients, and the carryover of a tendency to control things into her personal life. I think this was a great perspective on real-life dentistry, and would recommend checking out the blog, The Daily Grind.

Maintaining Contact with Important People

To be successful in the modern age, it is increasingly unlikely that you can go it alone. Whether your goal is to be a renowned musical performer, or a surgeon, or anything in between, you will probably need some support from time to time. Simply put, you need to be able to contact people that may help you, as a good team could potentially get you through the toughest times on your journey. In this post, we will look at the best ways to keep in touch with (or contact for the first time) various members of your support team.

An old professor can be a great resource to keep at hand. Perhaps you can gain a strong recommendation for a job, or get some insight on the subject he or she teaches as it pertains to your current goal. Whatever the benefit, it would be best to contact this person through an official directory listing. Most universities provide the email addresses and business phone numbers of its faculty, and this is the best place to start. A respectful phone call could help you get in touch with ease.

With family and friends, things can be more casual. I communicate with both via text message, phone call, or email. These are great resources for you, because your friends and/or family are your biggest fans. While you should feel comfortable getting in touch with them, you should also be clear when you are asking for help. Maybe a friend can get you a contact for a potential job, or maybe your sister knows of a strategy for increasing your audience on social media. No matter the support, these people are the easiest to get a hold of.

When considering getting outside help, it is important to consider what is an appropriate way to gain contact. For some, you may need to be more formal than others. Regardless of who you seek to contact, there is usually a way to get there.

Why Dentistry?

A question that people ask me a lot is what I plan to do after finishing my undergrad with a degree  in Biology. If they aren’t already visibly skeptical, most people will show me their “grossed out” face after I tell them that I plan to become a dentist. “Yuck! Why would you want to do that?” they say. “Teeth are gross!” I then start my spiel about how the subject fascinates me. I tell them that I like the potential for entrepreneurship, and hands on procedures, etc. In fact, dentistry has a lot more to it than just teeth. Want proof? Check out this article, posted by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). The ADEA makes some great points about various appealing aspects of the field.

Personally, I really like that dental careers can allow for you to interact with patients. Everyone wants to have a great smile, and a dentist can potentially enhance people’s lives. Also, there is a great potential for independence in your career as a dentist. Between many options for specialization and the choice to work in clinical, research, or private practice situations, the job really is what you make of it. Apart from these factors, it also helps that careers in dentistry are some of the most lucrative in modern society. Currently, dental professionals make great salaries and have a high quality of life.

Overall, I think the ADEA article really covers some of the most appealing aspects of dentistry, and it works to explain why the field is so great. If you ever find yourself wondering why anyone would want to be a dentist, consider what the ADEA has to say about it.

 

Ye Ol’ Pre-Dental Resources Page

As a pre-dental student that is currently applying to dental school for the Fall of 2016, I am no stranger to resource list posts. These posts are useful, as they gather a good amount of information regarding the steps one must take to qualify as an applicant. They also give the necessary steps of the application process, so a prospective student may feel more secure about his or her progress.

If there is one thing I have learned, it is that the application process for dental school is perhaps the ultimate test both of one’s organization and capacity to balance work beyond normal academics. One such post, from the American Student Dental Association (ASDA), provides a timeline of events for pre-dental success.

To me, this is a great resource. It goes beyond simply listing all of the physical tasks, and discusses the classes needed to succeed. This is great, as I have heard many horror stories about applicants who get to through their undergraduate programs, only to realize they are missing a required course here or there. Furthermore, I really appreciate that this post went and outlined necessary activities and classes by year. Yes, I realize that this is what a timeline would be expected to do, but it really helps to have the breakdown into more manageable pieces. Furthermore, I think that the inclusion of links to more resources pushes this post to elite status. The DAT resources are linked, the application page is listed, etc. These factors make this post a one-stop-shop for a pre-dental student who feels overwhelmed by the amount of tasks in front of him or her.

Better Time Management: Achieving More With Less Sacrifice

Growing up is wild. For each year I put under my belt, it seems I am met by a myriad of new tasks to complete. Meanwhile, the old tasks hold fast in my routine. At twenty two, I find myself busier than I have ever been. Between applying to graduate school, maintaining relationships with friends and family, and keeping up with schoolwork, it is easy to feel desperate for free time to pursue my hobbies.

While the stakes have stepped themselves up remarkably, I am attempting to meet the challenge head on. It becomes too easy to lose one’s self in the mandatory tasks, and this is something I seek to avoid. Simply put, I want more time for my hobbies. When looking at my schedule, I do not see any obvious chunk of time that could be used for play time. Realistically, though, I do see opportunities to merge my fleeting slivers of free time. Hopefully, I can lump this time together and use it on something rewarding.

So what exactly are the things on which I’m wasting what little time I do have? Mainly, tinkering around on the internet three times a day for about a half hour each. These are huge time-wasters for me.

The goal, then, is to take these bits of time, and merge them to do something more enjoyable and productive. Maybe I can go for a run or work on my music? Who knows? The key here is to be more productive and cut out even the small time vacuums.

What can you do to find more time? Are there parts of your routine that could be eliminated? Think about it. I’ll report back once I get a sense of how plausible this all is.

Trader Joe’s Rivals and Their Social Media Strategies

In a previous post, I discussed the branding and marketing strategies of the grocery chain, Trader Joe’s. A large part of the company’s success seems to be a result of its branding, and how TJ’s shapes its image. Key points were surrounding the simple and authentic feel of this store. They carry only a few brands, and provide an experience similar to that of an old-time marketplace. To add to this, they are not particularly active on social media, and do not use Twitter. While I believe these strategies are working well for TJ’s, it is quite the juxtaposition against the behemoth company of Kroger.

Kroger, being a gigantic company, has obviously nailed its image. I also believe it would be safe to say that Kroger is a huge competitor of Trader Joe’s. The company’s strategies are quite different, and they seem to emphasize low prices above all else. Not only do Kroger stores carry a membership option, which gives discounts, but they tie this to rebates on gasoline purchases, too. This is a great strategy to use synergy between petrol and groceries that enhances sales.

Kroger stores will carry a huge number of options when it comes to just about every product. Who knew there were twenty different brands that make the same exact type of flour? Additionally, Kroger has a generic version of many products, which tends to be much cheaper.

With regard to social media and online presence, Kroger seems to be more involved. One can easily find a profile for their nearest grocery, which gives info about specials and such.

Through all of these considerations, it seems that Kroger worries less about its image and experience, and cares about providing more options at the best prices. For me, the experience may be less quaint and fun than Trader Joe’s, but I tend to spend less and get exactly what I want if I prefer a specific brand.

What Makes for Good Social Media Content

Have you ever stumbled across some crappy social media? How did you know it was bad? What about the opposite? Do you remember a piece of media that impressed you? In this week’s post, I want to look at what differentiates quality social media content from fairly bad stuff.

One thing I can’t help but notice is the teetering balance between personal preference and genuine quality. Everybody is going to like some content more than others, and what I see as entertaining and worthwhile, someone else may view as total crud. An example of this is the “list” or “countdown” type of content. I cannot stand these things. They live in the sidebars of the articles I enjoy, and use eye-catching images and headlines to draw people in. Suddenly, I find myself in a slideshow of the alleged 10 best cat costumes. Personally, these posts are huge time-wasters, and I avoid them. For some, though, this may be great content that provides a key element of entertainment. After all, the Internet is quite useful as a medium through which to be entertained.

Some content is just downright bad, though. What I notice is that content can generally be considered bad when I start viewing it, but have no desire to finish. Mostly, aesthetics and organization are the qualities that seem to determine if I want to keep reading. I must be interested in the topic, since I clicked the link, so if I stop reading, it is usually a result of confusing layout and lack of organization.

The key to good social media content is not clear-cut, and seems to vary between individuals. I personally like videos and well-organized blog posts. Something about anecdote attracts me. Others may enjoy countdowns and Tweets, it really depends on the individual. Regardless, provided your content is well organized and looks good, someone is bound to come along and consider it good content.