As I always say, rock is the music of the masses and the music of the weak. That’s why the process of songwriting is simple, and anyone can easily get involved.
You simply create a melody and fit the lyrics and a chorus to match. Sometimes it happens in the opposite order, but writing a song in the rock genre isn't as difficult as one might think. That’s why in rock, 'composition' is strictly a domain of talent and instinct. Writing a song itself isn't hard, but writing a 'good' song is.
It is because you have to write without any set guidelines, using only the works of your predecessors or your own 'talent' and 'instinct' as a guiding light.
"Why not try a different note here instead of this one?"
Michael Jackson was an 'elite.' He was a professional who had received rigorous musical training from a young age. While his 'instinct' and 'talent' for music were outstanding, the 'knowledge' he possessed to make that talent shine even brighter was equally superior.
"Again. This sound is different from what I have in mind."
Specifically, his knowledge of what was required to create a high-quality sound was exceptional. Because of that, he would enter the studio with every element of the song, including the harmonies, already completed in his head. In other words, he arrived with everything—from the arrangement to the production—thoroughly designed. This method of composition was impossible without professional mixing expertise and an extraordinary musical 'sense.'
"I feel like a total deadbeat right now..."
I simply couldn't keep up with Michael Jackson's style. Shuji and Yokishi were geniuses to begin with, and as elites who had professionally studied mixing as a core requirement in school, they meshed well with Michael's instinctive yet theoretical approach. Unlike them, I had been a person of mediocre talent since my previous life.
Even during university, I was just an ordinary guitar player who had never learned the intricacies of mixing.
'To begin with, I don't know anything besides the guitar, so if I'm not composing with one in my hands, there's nothing for me to do.'
That was why I had no choice but to take a step back when they began discussing EQ frequencies or which effects should be applied to the sound. Even when I listened, I didn't understand a word of it.
"Leader? You've been quiet for a while. You okay?"
"Hey, don't you think Shuji's point makes more sense than Michael's?"
Honestly, even when they asked, I had nothing specific to say. My style was to rely entirely on intuition when composing. And since coming to this world, I had simply been putting in the effort to manifest the masterpieces that already existed in my past life.
"To me, Shuji's method seems better. That sound has a more future-oriented 'vibe'."
"Hide, a vibe is important in music, but ultimately, a vibe is created from the harmony of sounds. A 'vibe' and a 'good sound' are strictly different things. Now, listen. If it stays like that, then later..."
However, my thoughts differed from Michael Jackson's. In my opinion, what determines the quality of a song isn't the audio effects added after the fact, but the melody, the tone, and the riffs. If the basic skeleton hasn't even been built, what's the point of pouring cement? Audio effects are merely seasoning.
I cut Michael Jackson off and spoke up.
"I'm a guy who composes with an instrument, so I don't have much to say about the technical side. But talking about production when the skeleton of the song hasn't even been formed... I don't think that's right."
"Still, production is an essential part of the song. Therefore, it's better to consider what effects will be used from the moment the skeleton is being built. It makes the sound more harmonious."
"Mr. Jackson, we are instrumentalists, not engineers. We don't just select and combine sound sources like other artists do. To us, the way to make a good sound depends on the instrument, not on how we're going to apply effects."
I threw those words out and stormed out of the studio.
Honestly, I was envious of their talent. My style was to piece things together through trial and error, so I couldn't keep up with them. Of course, it’s not that I was the strange one; most bands create songs exactly the way I do.
Through the process of Composition → Arrangement → Production.
In fact, I already knew the truth. It was an obvious fact that if production is considered from the composition stage, the quality of the sound naturally improves. While the instrumental sound is the core of a band, production is still an integral part of making an album.
It's just that I don't have that level of talent.
Seeing that even Yokishi and Shuji were pulling it off, the method Michael Jackson mentioned certainly wasn't impossible.
'What's natural for them isn't natural for me.'
With that thought, I suddenly missed the cigarettes I used to smoke in my past life.
"In the end, nothing has changed for me here either."
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ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
●Hoshino Ai●
- Hide, I saw your last stage!
- As expected, Hide's stage is the best! ദ്ദിˊᗜˋ)
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
Walking along the path next to the studio, I checked the text Ai had sent me.
'The best, huh...'
Having just walked out after such an experience, seeing Ai’s message actually made me grow even more pensive.
Since coming to this world, the only song I had genuinely composed was 'All You're Dreaming Of,' which I had given to Ai as a gift. Aside from that, there was nothing.
In this world, I was being revered as a genius songwriter, but all the songs that earned me that reputation were just things I had stolen from the inspirations of geniuses from my past life.
In terms of raw talent, Yokishi and Shuji were ahead of me. The only advantage I had over them was that I had heard more masterpieces in my previous life than they ever had.
'I've always pursued sincerity, but I was the one most filled with lies.'
That thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Leader!!!!!"
"Hide!!!!!"
But my precious bandmates found me before I could dwell on those thoughts any further.
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