David B. Gaskin Music

In today's modern music studio (typically, home studios), we musicians can get caught up in doing multiple takes, tweaking things in the box, and deferring the true work of creating to technology.

The result is often unfinished songs and cluttered hard drives.

One thing I'm exploring more these days — in the service of finishing more music — is the idea of _limitations_.

That is, limiting myself to the amount of takes I'll do of a part; limiting how long I'll take to mix something; limiting the suite of plugins I'll use, etc...

When we put ourselves into a situation where we are forced to work faster and more decisively, we can free up some of the mental bandwidth and endless "options", and reclaim some of our creative energy in service of creating — and finishing — something true for us.

I wrote more about this on my Substack, if you're interested, and how I'm limiting myself in my current recording project: davidburkemusic.substack.com/p/limit-yourself-and-…

Happy writing,
Dave

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

I used to think I needed to make my music career happen on my own. I was wrong.
Everything changed when I started my virtual songwriting community, SongFarm.

SongFarm opened my eyes and gave me new creative energy, a new perspective, and helped grow me as an artist — and it continues to do so.

Hear more about the benefits of being in a songwriting community here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrmfA...

#songwriting #songwriter #songwritingcommunity

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

_Feeling stuck in your music?_

If you’ve been putting in the work but not seeing progress, it might be a sign it’s time to *ask for help*. In my latest video, I share how to recognize the signs, why accountability and guidance matter, and how a fresh perspective can help you move forward in your music career.

_Where do you feel stuck right now? Comment below — let’s talk._

Watch the full video here → https://youtu.be/qqg0IyCdd5s

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

🎵 Ever start a song and never finish it?

Most songwriters do — and it’s not about talent. It’s about *deadlines, momentum, and accountability.*

In my latest video, I share how setting deadlines and taking action helped me finally finish more songs — and how it can help you too.

_What’s one song you’re determined to finish, and by when? Let’s inspire each other._

Watch here: https://youtu.be/FDYji9Z5tPQ

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

Ever feel like your music used to flow effortlessly… and now you’re stuck in a creative rut?

I’ve been there. Perfectionism, doubt, overthinking — they all piled up and made music feel like work instead of play.

In my latest video, I break down how I got past my own creative roadblocks as a songwriter, including:
• Why creative blocks show up
• Small actions that rebuild momentum
• Why community and accountability are game-changers

If you’ve been struggling to finish songs or feel disconnected from your creativity, this one’s for you.

➡️ Watch now: https://youtu.be/67vtIwHFiAQ

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

Ever feel like your songs just aren’t good enough? Like no matter what you do, you’re stuck in the same loop of doubt?

You’re not alone — and that feeling might actually be a good sign.

🎥 New video: Dealing With Doubt — What To Do When You Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough

https://youtu.be/nyZNkA11AfM

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

🎵 He was stuck for 20 years… until this happened.

I recently started working with a songwriter who hadn’t finished a song in decades.

He’s 40, with a full-time job, kids, and a busy life — but music kept calling him back.

What he needed wasn’t more inspiration. He needed structure, accountability, and a clear path forward.

Once we built that into his process, everything started to shift — he’s finishing songs again, feeling confident, and working toward recording his first EP.

If you’ve been sitting on unfinished songs or struggling to move your music forward, this video will speak to you.



#songwriting #musiccoach #artistdevelopment #songwritingcommunity #Songfarm

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

There’s this romantic idea that “real artists” have to do it all themselves — write, record, produce, promote. But that mindset leads to burnout, frustration, and years of spinning your wheels.

For a long time, I tried to do everything solo. I rarely shared my songs, got zero feedback, and my growth completely stalled.

Everything changed when I found community. Having accountability, encouragement, and other artists to grow with gave me clarity, momentum, and confidence again.

If you’ve been stuck in that “solo songwriter” loop, it might be time to change that.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

Why Accountability Is the Missing Piece in Your Songwriting Journey:

Most songwriters don’t struggle with coming up with ideas — they struggle with finishing their songs. And that usually has nothing to do with talent or creativity. It’s about accountability.

When you don’t have someone keeping you on track, it’s easy to let life get in the way of finishing what you start.

I’m working with a songwriter right now who’s got a full life — a full-time job, two kids, a partner — but music is something he can’t ignore. What helped him most was simply having a commitment on the calendar, someone to be accountable to.

That small shift — from “I can let it slide” to “I have to show up” — has completely changed how he approaches songwriting.

If you want to build that kind of consistency and momentum, here are a few ways to bring accountability into your own music practice:

🎵 Join a songwriting community or mastermind where you meet regularly to share and develop your songs.
🎵 Find a coach or mentor who helps you stay focused and moving forward.
🎵 Put your creative commitments on the calendar — treat them like real appointments.

It’s tough to go it alone. Accountability is what turns creative intention into finished songs.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

David B. Gaskin Music

Why Perfectionism is Killing Your Songs:

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got a notebook or voice memo app full of songs or ideas that were never finished—or never shared with anyone.

I spent years writing songs in my room, trying to make them perfect. I thought one day I’d just appear out of nowhere with these flawless songs and suddenly my music career would take off. But of course… that’s not how it works.

Every artist who’s ever made it started out being bad—and being bad in public. That’s the hard pill we’ve gotta swallow.

Perfectionism is just the name we give to an excuse. The real reason we don’t finish or share our music is fear—fear of judgment, fear of failure. But the truth is, that’s the price of getting good.

You have to start somewhere. You have to get in the arena, take your hits, and keep going. That’s how you grow resilience, confidence, and clarity as an artist.

Remember: you’ll make 1000% more progress starting than waiting for everything to be perfect. Perfectionism doesn’t exist. In fact, it’s the cracks and imperfections that make your music real, human, and relatable.

So be okay with being imperfect. Embrace speed over perfection. Embrace breaking things. Embrace failing fast and failing often.

That’s how you grow. That’s how you win.

Check out the video:

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 2