this is such a gem. :)

you have helped me so much latley, when i get successful you will be the one to thank

Other DAWs handle keyswitches much better. Studio One is very good, and very easy. Cubase is OK, but they try to make it too clever, and fails.

I always appreciate your tips! 😊

Excellent points ones again. It really comes down to what you really want in your life. Many don't have had that conversation with themself. I hope this video helps someone out there to have that conversation. It is also never too late to change that direction you are heading to. It is only too late to start doing what you want when you are gone.

We feel we need to justify what we do. Many people in crappy or useless jobs will try very hard to convince themselves that their role is meaningful and important. But sometimes you just have to admit that what you are doing at work is a complete waste of time, and move on. Or find other ways to excel and express yourself.

So what about F# ? 🤷‍♂️

Amazing video, Zach! I started composing about 2 and a half years ago with the DAW Studio One and improvising on the piano since the beginning of my twenties. Now I'm 29 and I want to level up my composing skills (I just subscribed to the platform Scoreclub, if you're familiar with it, to learn more and to be able to grasp the traditional concepts and classical notation)... I really want to be able to have my pieces be played by real orchestras and I want to inspire and uplift people with my music, but to reach an audience I need to transcribe what I'm doing in the Daw to classical notation, which is a challenge... And like you say, the feeling of not being ready or good enough is very deep... I've always felt this overwhelming imposter syndrom, so networking is super-difficult... Most people in the past, even friends, always indirectly tried to talk me out of the artistic path, but I just can't help but paint, write, make music and share my creativity! This video is very timely for me, I will try my best to get out of my comfort zone. Thank you for sharing your authentic voice! 🙏 Much love, Michael

This is so true. I’ve said for years that there’s nothing worse than “not that bad”. People can get stuck in a place like that for a long time-good enough to tolerate, but not bad enough to push them forward. Been there many times. Great video. Thank you.

Excellent tutorial, thank you!

I can't stress enough how useful your videos are ! Really great job

u look like a character in meet the robinsons

What do you think that was the factor that fulfill the emptiness of not have regular work as a composer when you left the piano lesson and those church gigs? Your KZfaq channel? when this path start to do some rewards?

This was good

This is what I need to hear everyday. Thank you again, Zach. I'm totally in the center of this whole thing you said 👊

Totally true! Brahms had several confidence issues because he compared himself to Beethoven.

First comment for 2024. If this plays together with an organ, a piano, and chiming bells on Halloween night, I'm gonna wake up with an anvil on my head when I wake up when the song's over. LOL.

Creatives will always create, moaners will always moan, people will always criticise, however, no matter what you decide what path or paths to follow, YOU are the self creator of your own destiny. Happiness is more important than anything, so be happy in what you do, whenever you can do it.

Somehow this sounds like it was recorded with an ordinary orchestra.

1:37 until 1:43 barber's adagio for strings?

it was not 30 min, it was only 5, watch the clock XD

Very cool demo song. One correction, so people do not potentially get confused: Orange Tree does not make 'VSTs'. They make sample libraries that run in Native Instrument's Kontakt sample playback system(s) - either the full version of Kontakt or the free Kontakt Player. Also, NOBODY makes "VSTs'. 'VSTs' (as a noun) are not a thing. VSTs are just one format used in making the thing that IS a thing... a VI (Virtual Instrument). Along with other formats, like AU (Apple only), AAX (Avid only), and CLAP (emerging).

took 2 points from here today good one zach

They played wrong notes I am playing this with 3 other people and 2 pianos and it just sounds sus

I do remote session work (sax and keyboards) and I’ve been wanting to increase my prices for a while. Do you know if price per min of music applies for session musicians? Also, I have regular clients who often hire me on their projects. Would you say it’s unreasonable to increase my price or keep it the same for them (the original rate) as a special/loyalty rate once I’ve increased my prices for new clients?

This is excelent

ty bro

I wish I have some 'comfort' work at least. I have had enough of instability. That's why I'm looking for a Sound Designer job, not only as a composer. But it's also extremely hard, the industry is oversaturated of Entry-level/Junior specialists. Anyway it's a bit naive to look for stability in any kind of music career I guess.

Thank you Zach 😊🌸 I'm quittin my piano teacher job in a month too and give myself to the unknown, so this video really gave me some hope 😊☺🌸

Thank you Zach i really needed to hear this. I am at a tough spot in my journey where i am questioning my current path.

I don't think everyone has the freedom to make that choice. I have a family, and to stop my daytime gig of teaching so that I can focus exclusively on composing (very similar to your situation) would be reckless. That being said, I think we live in a time where many more people have a chance to do whatever they are naturally drawn to than at other points in history. We should take advantage of that. And I also think that our standards of how much (money) we need can vary greatly. Of course, the principle of taking risks can be applied to varying degrees. I'm going to cut back my teaching by one day per week next school year. Financially intimidating, but I'm crazy excited for the opportunity to grow as a composer.

probably ended up watching this about 4 times because I was working and kept getting distracted and needed to restart XD but thanks so much this was super helpful!

After this video I decided to have two music lessons per week instead of one from september on. Thanks a lot for your words and inspiration Zach. I’m a fan of your work ❤

There is a wisdom in every single topic you bring in this community. Just the right message at the right time. Thank you Zach.

I've been composing for a while now. But only recently got jobs as a composer. It is incredibly stressful but it is the most amazing job I got. Making the pictures come alive through the power of music is incredible. I still do other stuff next to it though. In the modern world, standing on multiple foundations is the best way to stay afloat. A director I worked with said to me the best thing how it can be described: "I do a lot of stuff at the same time because even I get stuck doing one thing, I can still proceed in other things. This way I never feel stuck in my life."

Very good video, relate to it a lot! I find that a lot of unhappy people regularly choose comfort over challenge. As long as people seek comfort in life, they'll never find it - they'll often procrastinate, are easily frustrated, do the easy thing rather than the hard thing, fail to live up to their potential, lack discipline and avoid. Comfort never satisfies. Seeking comfort will never take anybody far in life. It's only through leaning into challenges that people can grow and feel complete.

As someone who has recently switched to a full-time career as a composer, I strongly recommend that you seriously consider your fulfillment, as Zach mentions here. I wouldn't go back to my previous jobs for anything in the world; I'd rather struggle to make ends meet than dread going to work every day. If you're currently questioning yourself, this is your sign to believe in your own abilities. If you lack skills, learn them. It takes time, but if you make the effort, after two or three years, you'll start getting paid decently, believe me! Just be persistent and organized!

This is really applicable to the entirety of one's life and the way how any major decision / opportunity can have you stay stuck in the (dis)comfort of what you have now. I really like the fear pivot you used there, Zach! Don't let it paralyze you but let it push you forward.

💯💯- love that you quoted Tony Robbins!

I feel you. I love music more than medical school, but I'm afraid that I might not be successful as a full time composer

As a composer getting by with piano lessons and church jobs and also anxiety sleeping before doing them, oof.

Just the right video at just the right time. Thank you so much, Zach, for all the encouragement over the years