How A Pocket Notebook Makes Me A Better Composer
I’ve been a musician my entire life, but I can’t read or write music notation very well. I’ve learned to do it rather clumsily in the last few years. Instead I’m a sucker for a good quality pocket notebook. In this post I’ll share how I use it to capture ideas away from the studio and how it keeps my creativity safe from distractions.
Why A Pocket Notebook?
I’ve kept an A5 Bullet Journal for almost 10 years, and it has really helped me stay organized in all areas of my life. But it’s not very portable. I don’t like traveling with it at all. It’s cumbersome and draws attention when I’m writing in it.
But a pocket-sized notebook is petite and discreet. It’s perfect for capturing all sorts of ideas when I’m on the go. I use a Field Notes dot-grid pocket notebook in a simple leather cover so I always have a pen handy. Lately I’ve also paired it with a tiny music notebook for those moments when I’m brave enough to practice music notation.
Give Your Brain A Break
It’s always good to take a break from anything you’re creating. Music is no different. After I’ve been working on a track for an hour or two I like to stop and make notes on what’s working and what’s not. I make those notes directly in Logic and my notebook. Then I leave the studio for a while.
I’ll often take a walk during this time, and that’s when some of my best ideas emerge. Even though I’m away from my DAW, my brain is still working on the track. At first, I tried taking my pocket notebook with me to capture these thoughts, but I quickly discovered that writing and walking don’t work well for me.
Phone + Notebook = Ideal Idea Capture
So I came up with a hybrid approach. I use my phone to dictate any ideas that come to me while I’m walking. Then I transfer them to my notebook when I get back.
This gives me the best of both worlds. The voice dictation is quick and hands-free so I can keep moving and let the ideas flow naturally. Then later, when I’m sitting down with my notebook, the act of writing them out by hand helps me process and refine those thoughts before I return to the studio.
This simple workflow has made a real difference. Those fleeting creative ideas that used to slip away now get captured, and the notebook becomes a place where I can review and develop them further without the distractions of my DAW or phone notifications.
Find What Works For You
This simple pocket notebook system allows me to capture ideas on the go and protects my creative focus. But it didn’t happen overnight. It evolved through trial and error as I figured out what actually worked for my creative process.
That’s really the key to sustaining a composing practice: find systems that fit your life and don’t force yourself into some rigid framework.
Whether it’s a pocket notebook, a digital tool, or some combination of both, what matters is that you have a reliable way to capture ideas, track your progress, and keep moving forward on your tracks.