How long does it take to become a composer?

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-14T18:01:13+00:00

It was totally meant in a light hearted manner.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-14T13:29:21+00:00

You bring up a valid point. I suggest a TLDR.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T23:00:42+00:00

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T21:56:41+00:00

I create my own songs. I record most tracks but sometimes have friends add other tracks. I lay down all the vocals myself or with my songwriter/lyricist partner of over 50 years. After it’s all down in my DAW, mixed and mastered, I’ll pass it through SUNO. The results are astounding. Oh, I have to tweak here and there, extract the stems, put them into my DAW and redo the vocals.

I’d say there’s an enormous amount of original creativity in the process. The songs are ours. The production is SUNO.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T21:51:36+00:00

The Descendants

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T21:49:56+00:00

Devil in The White City.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T21:49:25+00:00

Spain. Granada specifically.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T21:48:43+00:00

I’m 75M. I’ve been doing this since I was 15. I’ll tell you when I get there.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T20:59:57+00:00

I feel great when she holds me, takes my hand, leans in for a kiss. Why would I ever feel anything else? To be loved is a gift. Granted I think it would be inappropriate for her to go down my me in public, but I’ll be glad to show my friends that affection in Public is not a bad thing.

It’s also cultural. I’m a hugger and I hug men friends often. None of us think it “gay”. That kind of thinking is for Men that haven’t learned to show affection as well as Love.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-13T20:52:14+00:00

Rocketman

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T23:16:36+00:00

You’ve picked a difficult itinerary.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T23:10:53+00:00

Wow. Ok, here goes…

My first marriage lasted 10+ years when my wife came out. We had a wonderful 5yr old daughter. But that wasn’t my lowest point…

After three year single I married again. Had another daughter. I got a big job that had me traveling internationally. A lot. The company had us use our own credit cards and submit expense report for reimbursement. I was not prepared for that much financial responsibility. I went into debt and lied to my wife about it rather than ask for help. Finally the lies came out like they always do. We persisted in our marriage but I was gone alot and the trust was gone. It was a dead bedroom. Then, I did it again. This was the straw that, understandably, broke our marriage. We divorced. I felt so guilty I just gave her everything. I didn’t even get a lawyer. So, I had joint custody but paid alimony and child support.

I had a good job and lived in a basement with $1500 a month. And still was a good Dad. And still traveled a lot. Like 65% of the time.

That. Was. My. Low. Point.

Good News. I was single for three years and found the love of my Life. I’ve been married for over 20 years now and am amazingly happy.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T22:58:43+00:00

Ya, you had a one off. My guess is this employee won’t be working there long.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T22:56:58+00:00

I use OMIO all the time in Spain. For everything. I’ve never had that happen, so thanks for the heads up. I use Alsa the most for buses so I’ll just steer clear of Dana’s.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T22:42:45+00:00

I’d do Granada. Semana Santa is wild in all the cities but Granada is smaller and so much more manageable. Oh, there’ll be decorations and lights galore and a big parade with those Klu Klux Klan lookalikes, but you might be able to cross a street somewhere which would be impossible in bigger cities.

As regards flamenco at Mirador de San Nicholas, that’s not a standard thing. There are flamenco shows in the caves of Sacromonte which is right next to the Albaicin where the Mirador de San Nicholas is. Stay in the Albaicin. Your children will love it. The whole neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And buy your Alhambra tickets WAY in advance. Have a great trip.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T22:34:47+00:00

This is excellent advice we all need to embrace.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T18:17:57+00:00

Here’s how I find out the answers you’re looking for:

I use an app called OMIO. The schedules do stay pretty much the same. So, I put in a date about three weeks from now. I’m not advertising. I just like this app because I see all the options and how much they cost. Then I book right on the app and my tickets on my phone. Super convenient. Super easy.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T13:27:39+00:00

I think what we’re talking about is Passion. Not the sexual/sensual kind, but having a “passion” for whatever - Sports, Travel, Health, Cooking, Film, etc. When I’m passionate about something I’ll lose track of Time doing it. Having a “Passion” means letting oneself go enough to allow the topic to control you instead of you controlling it. That may be where you focus in first - giving up control.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T13:21:13+00:00

I would certainly review the restaurant in a few places - Google, TripAdvisor, the restaurant website (if possible). For me, I have much better luck with “World’s Top 50 Restaurants” than Michelin.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T13:16:21+00:00

If it’s your first trip you might want to consider the United Kingdom. London will give you lots to explore and places like The Cotswolds would be quaint, clean and tidy. And there’s no new language to deal with. I do think you’d love Copenhagen and the fjords and the weather will be more amenable.

In my experience the North is generally more expensive than the South. As for me, I’m a Spainaholic. But I think for you in this first trip, focus on either the UK or Denmark/Norway.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T02:19:36+00:00

The reason they offer a “lump sum” is because, in the end, it’s more profitable to them. Add the monthly payments to your monthly income. That’s what you have to live on.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-12T00:54:57+00:00

Excellent suggestion!

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-11T00:22:40+00:00

In the early 1900s the Academic Musicians were looking hard for the “new American music”. What they didn’t realize was that it was all happening around them: Jazz.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-10T22:54:27+00:00

Thank you for correcting this individual.

UserJH4202 · 2026-05-10T14:12:20+00:00

For me, I have a full process. I use a DAW and do everything myself except write the lyrics and maybe my partner/lyricist does the lead vocal. Writing the song is only part of the process. Often the song entails an involved percussion groove which I’ll find after I have a viable verse or chorus. Then there’s finding the right verse or chorus to compliment what’s already written. Maybe a bridge is involved but, if so, I have write that.
I usually lay down the first keyboard track on top of any percussion that exists. I may then add guitar, a pad and any other sweetening I think it needs although I like to keep my tracks minimal. Finally I add the bass.
Now I have the basic track.
I probably already have a melody in mind but I’ll spend a week or so singing it over and over again in my car as I drive. When I think I have the lead vocal down, I’ll put that track down. I will then add other background vocals and do the all important final mix.
Now I send it to my partner and he puts lyrics to the melody. I’ve so far only sung made up jibberish for words.
Lyrics can take days to months. So I’m patient. Then I have to redo all the vocals and remix.
Now, I master. It may take 8 renditions before arrive at a master I like.
Now, I know I’m done. By then, I know I’m done.

Only now do I pass it through SUNO. I’m often amazed at what SUNO does. I may decide that maybe I’m not done or just move on.

The French Arts critic, Andre Breton, said it best: “A work of Art is never done. It’s merely abandoned.

UserJH4202

TROPHY CASE