We've talked the past couple of posts about all the wonderful technology that exists out there to help us create what we want. As good as some of that technology is (I wouldn't trade Finale for anything in the world), there are times we become so obsessed with using the latest, greatest gadget that we forget we have wonderful tools at our disposal that are, compared to today's smartphones and netbook computers, very low-tech. Here are some of the low-tech tools I use on a frequent basis.
Agenda -- I know many folks now keep their appointments and dates in an electronic calendar in their smartphone, and I can't say I blame them. For me and for my schedule, however, I find these tools limiting and stifling. That's why for the past decade, I have kept my appointments in a nice, leather-bound agenda from DayRunner. I spent about $40 that first year for the agenda itself and $10 each year thereafter getting the next set of calendar pages. I can make notes as I need to and where I need to, it's always up-to-date, and I don't have to worry about software issues corrupting my data. I even keep track of my income in pages in the back (since my income is sporadic with all my various jobs, having a handy place to record it all is a must).
Now, does this open me up to the possibility of losing my information should the agenda get lost or stolen? Yes, it does. The odds of it getting lost are small, though, since I take it with me everywhere and it's of a size that makes it harder to lose -- about 4" by 6" and about an inch thick. A pocket calendar, maybe; this thing, not likely.
As for having it stolen -- put yourself in the mind of a thief. Would you rather steal some guy's agenda and try to make some money recycling the paper inside, or steal someone's phone and turn around and get some real money from it? Much like folks who drive a beat-up old junker because they know thieves will avoid it, my agenda is a very low theft risk.
Notebook -- At any given time, I've got a notebook or two nearby. I jot down everything from to-do lists to ideas for stories, lyrics, and music. I could do the same thing using email or my phone, but email isn't always accessible, and my phone can only do so much. I can draw pictures in my notebook, create flow charts, even draw a music staff and literally jot down a few notes. The versatility of a notebook far surpasses anything I can do with anything electronic.
Manuscript book -- I also almost always have a book of blank music manuscript with me. The one I'm currently using cost me $3.50 at Sam Ash Music (according to their website it's gone up to $4.00) and I've used it for a couple of years. Now, I'm not jotting things down all the time, but when I get in the mood to play around with a melody, I've got it right there -- no electricity required. Over the years I've developed some rudimentary skills in being able to hear particular notes in my head -- it's not perfect, but it's enough that for most songs I want to write, I can get something down on paper that I can work on later.
What's really amazing about these books is how they become archives. I can go back through old manuscript books and see the beginnings of pieces that are now in print and have sold hundreds or even thousands of copies. Every time I consider leaving the manuscript book at home, I need only think of these pieces, and in the bag goes the manuscript.
Fountain Pen -- I am a self-admitted "pen nerd." A couple of years ago, a friend brought over a glass dip pen and some ink she'd received as a gift. She thought my wife might like to play with it (she was heavily in to making her own greeting cards at that time), but I ended up stealing the pen and ink, and subsequently made my way to other dip pens, inks, and finally, fountain pens.
I currently have four fountain pens, two of which I carry with me on a daily basis. I keep one loaded with blue ink and use it for any actual writing I do; the other I keep loaded with red and use for editing music, proofing scores, or correcting writing rough drafts. It's a small, stupid thing, but when I use the fountain pen, I somehow feel more like a Creative. I can't really explain it, but the fact that I've indulged in my fountain pen penchant somehow helps validate me as a Creative and makes me feel even more creative than I might otherwise.
Again, these are all just examples of the "Low-Tech" Creatives use on a daily basis. As Brad commented last Sunday, the best technology is whatever works for you. Where I know enough about the subject (and had the space), I tried to at least mention alternatives to what I've talked about here. None of these lists of technology are by any means exhaustive -- in fact, they're more like the tip of the tip of the iceberg. My purpose was not to tell anyone what to use to create, but rather to talk about what I use, and perhaps give each of you some new ideas that will help you on your own creative journey.
As always, if you've got any other "Low-Tech" creative tools you use, by all means share them in the comments section.
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