Ever get disheartened?

[philbagg]

Hi guys, how are we all?

There's been a lot of talk about writers block, and to be honest I'm going
through a bit of a stint myself lately. But I've been thinking about it for a while
and thought I'd put the question to all of you.

A few years ago I was going through a bit of a rough patch, but my music was
at a peak. I was constantly writing, and it was (IMO) amazing material. The kind
of stuff that I'd listen back to when it was done and think "wow, i didn't think
I could write like this"... Felt really self-expressive, and I got a lot off my
chest (and we're even talking just music, no words).

I've always been a firm believer in the saying "If a composer could say what he
had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music." Feels like I
can't express myself in words nearly as well as I could through music.

Now, I feel like I just can't express myself like that anymore. I know I want to
but I don't feel like I have it in me anymore. So that's the question I want
to ask the rest of you.

Do you feel like you can keep expressing yourself through music or do you
ever feel like the well's been dried up?

Phil

 

[Chili]

I find I go through cycles. Sometimes it's an artesian well and you can't stop it. Other times, it's an artesian well and nothing comes out!!! lol.

Seriously, don't consider the down cycles as writer's block... think of them as recharge periods. Write everyday, whether by inspiration or not. Don't matter if it's crap, just put stuff out. At some point, you'll get back in the zone and create music you'll want others to listen to.

 

[gecko zzed]

^^^ What he said.

It comes and goes in cycles.

Don't fret . . . enjoy the holiday.

But . . .

Try going for a walk at night. Hum to yourself in time with your footsteps. See what pops into your head.

 

[Dani Pace]

As we age (or maybe just mature musicaly) our minds filter out the junk so the creative process appears to slow down. Don't worry, the creative part is still there. Just keep reminding yourself to take a few chances along the way. We create our own blocks, perfectionists are not the ones who come up with the great lines. Writers convey ideas, musicians convey emotions. Sometimes a slight change of attitude is all it takes to rise to a higher level of creativity. Don't try to force it, let the natural creativity surface by itself. Keep a pencil and pad cloce at hand at all times and jot down all your ideas, even the dumbest lines will fit into something sooner or later. Music gets in a rut when life gets in a rut, expand your horizions and new ideas will pop up faster than you can write them down. We have all heard "variety is the spice of life," to this I'd like to add... a spicy life is a creative one.

 

[mr.anderson]

Are we cranking out product or trying to express ourselves?

When I finally got the drug addict out of my life and bank account, the songs refused to stop.

Now, happily married to the girl of my dreams, the statements are fewer and further between.

(Does the world need a song about who best loads the dishwasher? Maybe, maybe not, but as a funny little first verse of a country song, I've heard worse. )


Disheartening? Maybe a little. But I'd rather wait 'til I have something to say.

(What are you trying to say?)

 

[Bristol Posse]

You could always write a song about how frustrating it is not being able to think of anything to write a song about and how that feels.

When I run out of ideas I just write something stupid and sometimes it turns into something useable and sometimes it doesn't but it kickstarts the process again

 

[icystorm]

Disheartening? Maybe a little. But I'd rather wait 'til I have something to say.

(What are you trying to say?)

I think we always have something to say, but people are seemingly conditioned more and more not to say anything at all. With the cacophony of diverse sounds that relentlessly bombards us, I think that it dilutes and blurs the uniqueness of the various genres to the point of an individual wondering, "why bother?"

But I think you were on to something when you asked, "Are we cranking out product or trying to express ourselves?" I think it is far more important to write a song to express yourself and speak to others in your own circle. Fictional writing is fun, but sometimes, writing a song for a friend who is suffering, and then giving it to her as a gift, is better. It can mean a lot to some.

Cheers,
Joseph

 

[Erockrazor]

I wouldnt call it disheartened but I go through stints where I have a lack of motivation. Where I don't have the urge to practice and learn more or write something. It also seems that I am most in the mood when I dont have the chance. Like if I'm out somewhere and can't play my guitar, I usually have a fever for picking up a guitar or reading something.

I need motivation pills!

 

[icystorm]

Now, I feel like I just can't express myself like that anymore. I know I want to but I don't feel like I have it in me anymore. So that's the question I want to ask the rest of you.

Do you feel like you can keep expressing yourself through music or do you
ever feel like the well's been dried up?

Hi Philbagg,

I don't ever feel that the well's dried up, but I do feel that I go through periods of "sucks", "sucks more", "doesn't suck as much," and "marginally tolerable." Heh. The point is... keep trying!

I think sometimes when we try to focus and write about something, it makes the process difficult. I think my best songs come about when the ideas are spontaneous. For example, I may be watching a chick-flick with a female friend, and one scene gives me inspiration, then a new song begins forming in my mind, or maybe I just glean the title from the inspiration, and the title goes on to inpsire me more.

Or, perhaps while walking though a mall around the holidays, one will see a young couple in a jewelry store. The young woman is shrowded in the soft lights, and her face is filled with hope and love. Those expressions are priceless, and it's hard to withold a smile, or an idea for a new song!

Of course, if you want to be very prolific, speak to Walter Tore. He has the special ability to write, record, produce, and release several whole albums in the span of time it takes most people to just boot up. And the songs are pretty good for the most part. That's just amazing.

Cheers,
Joseph

 

[kcearl]

its easy for me...most of my lyrics end up political...there's a never ending source of politics to whine about

 

[Xdrummer]

Any creative person will have periods where the muse does not present itself as readily. The key is to accept that this is part of the creative process and work though it.........keep writing!!!!!

While art may be an emotional/intellectual process.......there must be a certain level of practical and more than a little discipline.

While I agree that as we age we likely get more discerning and more selective...which can cause the artist to self edit more than when we are younger. In essence, we start to expect a higher level of quality (vs, quantity)....add to that the fact that as we get older there are simply more outside factors demanding our time and energy (jobs, family, etc) - and the potential to see the creative process decline can be expected and understood.

But...........the key is to work through it. Have the discipline, dedication and motovation to create....even if the inspiration is not active. I beleive as a writer....I most write every day. While there will be crap.....through a combination of dedication and committment to the craft....there will be quality to be found among the crap.

 

[Xeries]

I wouldn't sweat it too much, Phil. There mere fact that you have written valuable music in the past speaks to your talent. I don't think we ever lose our talent. We get sidetracked and become our own worst critic at times, but in the end our art will resurface.

I don't ever feel blocked per se, but rather that I'm building or working up to a composition. One time I asked a friend why he didn't write and he told me that he didn't think he had anything to say that anyone would be interested in.

Think of what that implies. You have to have this great big opinion of yourself to even present a work in the first place. You have to believe that your personal take on a subject is worth sharing and is valuable.

That's a pretty big ego and a hard thing to sustain. At times I feel I am a great composer and lyricist and other times I wonder if I am just fooling myself and it's all crap. I don't think I'm alone there. Even Mother Theresa had doubts. Just have faith in yourself and your gifts. They will come back stronger than ever.

BTW PM me for my book on writing lyrics if you haven't already. It's free and can help stimulate you to write when you feel stalled.

Wig

 

[icystorm]

That's a pretty big ego and a hard thing to sustain. At times I feel I am a great composer and lyricist and other times I wonder if I am just fooling myself and it's all crap. I don't think I'm alone there.

Good points, Wig. You're definitely not alone.

Perhaps we need a challenge to get us all going! Any takers? If not, I understand. Is it just me, or does work life seem more involved these days?

Joseph

 

[leobluesy]

block

Sometimes its motivation..or at least lack of it. Sometimes its life around you draining your creativity. Sometimes you can get bored with the instument you love. If you play just guitar.. then try alternate tunings..... If you dont play keyboard but know a few guitar chords then spend a few hours converting that guitar knowledge into holding a few chords on a different instrument.... It can give a you a rush and have you running for a pen and paper.