I was wondering if people had any techniques or ways of dealing with "burnout" on a song?
Yeah. I feel your pain, but it is a learning process. The first thing I realized was if I was going to make music my career, I had to treat it - in some respects - like an actual job. In other words I had to take the creative side and the mundane side with equal importance.
I had to develop systems. These helped me be more efficient. This may or may not work for you but it works for me. I must have a plan at every stage. Going in to a composition, an arrangement or a mix blind is creative suicide.
For example when composing I generally start with an idea but it needs an outline. I read music so I try to find music that resembles the tune I am hearing. I do not listen to the song, rather I read the music and look at what they did with the chords. The Beatles are great for this.
I usually take the chords in a completely different direction but it certainly helps to see what someone else has done with a chord change from Eb minor for instance.
With arranging its very similar I reference other songs... but I also do something that will only work with pre-production in my studio... because I could not bring myself to do it in front of people... I dance. When you dance to your music it will tell you where it wants to go. You don't need drugs to hear it either... it speaks loud and clear... just get all worked up dancing and poof like magic you will know exactly where to go with it.
Mixing is the same. I have a plan and a reference. None of these elements will work without it.
The final component is key for me. Everything must be done in 3 days. At least a rough mix. If I am composing for more than 3 days... I've lost. I get the song written in 3 days:
- Day 1: Chords, Structure and Melody and Lead lines.
- Day 2: Bridge (good to build bridge after a day away)
- Day 3: Editing and Arranging and Rough Mix.
If it last longer then this it is really hard to get back to it. Hope this helps.
