Taking a break from beats

Has anyone ever took a long break away from beats? Mainly for creative purposes, but also for various other limitations and constraints. I'm finding I haven't made any beats or done anything music related for more than 3 months now, which is a helluva long time for me.

Do you find after that long break you're refreshed and feeling more creative or just a it bit more choppy than before? (no pun intended)

Art is/can be a reflection of the life happening around you and, a small part of your own perception. If you stay in your lil' dungeon making "phat beatz" all the days, then you have no life to breathe into your music.

Playing your instrument is more than just playing bad ass riffs or swooning the panties off of the females (or the males, if you're into that). It is an intricate romance between player & instrument - one of open & honest communication. If you do not have a story to tell your guitar... well, she probably wont' tell you shit either.

Take a break, don't fret about it. As long as you are LIVING and experiencing... when you come back you should have some great stuff to share with your instruments and they will have great stuff to share with you. It is a give & take, and the musical voice you choose to communicate with can & will run dry if you allow your heart & brain to run dry as well.

If any of this doesn't make sense then I am sorry... blame it on the pain killers.

Peace!

only time I have taken a break from beats is to finish mixes, etc. I've had plenty of days where I can't find the right thing to flip, but I will just watch a video about compression or other informative tricks, relax, and smoke. Don't force anything, but I think that a lot of times taking long breaks from ANYTHING music related could be really counter productive. Just refocus that energy, then come back when it feels right.

I see beatmaking in my life kinda like a habit, i try to push myself to make beats as much as possible for myself to associate spare time with beats, and its working pretty well i must say - most of my spare time i instinctively feel like making beats.
However it has never been a must, If I don't feel like it i can watch some beatmaking vids etc and ill be back on track, if that doesnt work ill do something else.

Long rant but i think its about creating habits of working on it, if you do it you will like it more and it spirals into you wanting to spend hours daily.

jnorth wrote:Do you find after that long break you're refreshed and feeling more creative or just a it bit more choppy than before?

I took two long breaks to go to uni full time, twice.

After those long breaks, I just felt older, like I shouldn't really be making beats still at 'my age'. Still have some decent gear, which I like to mess with now and again to keep my knowledge up. But I havent seriously made a beat in years now. For me it comes down to priorities, its as simple as that. I'm sure many older guys (35 years +) are still putting in the work on the MPC's.

Clint wrote:

jnorth wrote:Do you find after that long break you're refreshed and feeling more creative or just a it bit more choppy than before?

I took two long breaks to go to uni full time, twice.

After those long breaks, I just felt older, like I shouldn't really be making beats still at 'my age'. Still have some decent gear, which I like to mess with now and again to keep my knowledge up. But I havent seriously made a beat in years now. For me it comes down to priorities, its as simple as that. I'm sure many older guys (35 years +) are still putting in the work on the MPC's.

I think once you get that bug, it's hard to get rid of. It's not about age either. I still bang or tap out on anything I can get my hands or feet on like I did when I was 10. Still love to go through stacks of records and find stuff to flip like I did when I was 19. It's just that now I have 2 kids, a girl and a very demanding job so I feel you on the priorities.
I could never go a year without making a beat. I might focus more on my bass playing and less on beats but when I hear a Madlib or Ayatollah banger, I'm inspired.

A break from beats? Well its not a 9 to 5 and on breaks I make beats and try to make on my spare time. But don't feel like breaktime anytime soon, more like fun time if you ask me, but don't because I already answered that its fun **** time. Some call it the feel around in their spare time.

I've just been messing on keys a lot lately instead. it's probably due to my temporary living situation. My room is too small, clutter everywhere and it all ruins my concentration. It's like having a studio set-up in a Thai prison cell. The feng shui is **** up. I like to make beats in a big enough space without clutter. All of that messes with my mind. Too busy working on my situation to get out, plus I'm studying for a PhD.

i never really intend to take long breaks from beats, or music, but i do.

ive gone almost a whole year without touching the music before.

i reguarly go a couple months at a time on and off.

Its all ebb and flow with me.If I dont feel like it,I wont attempt music.Yet I listen to beats daily so I always return to form.

Sometimes I create skeleton beats,rough drafts and abandon them or just keep em.

Ive noticed that the best inspiration comes from SEX.LOL

Funny how a new conquest or ill booty interlude inspires.

Women>>>>>

The headaches related with the booty<<<<<