Ive got nothin...zippo.

  • Thread starter Thread starter dreib
  • Start date Start date
We all get this from time to time.
Relax, and maybe learn a few covers to get yourself out of your own head - it works for me.
Other suggestions:
Go for a walk
Go see a movie
Stay away from music [and related forums] for a week

After writing for about ten years, I kind of ran out of things to say lyrically for a while, so I turned my attention to writing for others.
That was more than ten years ago, and the ideas still flow.

Ideas will come of their own accord but sometimes it helps just to sit down and make myself write - on paper - stream of consciousness - no editing - for at least 30 minutes a day. Its good practice and I keep all my notes.
 
I'm currently reading a book called, "The Artist's Way" that I found recommended on a forum somewhere. It's structured around tasks you do weekly to help inspire your creativity. It's pretty heavily laden with religion, which was quite a difficulty at first, until the author explained her take on it. She basically said, "Be open minded, don't let my heavy handed religious leanings prevent you from benefiting from this book."

I am on week two, and it is already changing my creative life.
 
Do you write words/melody as well?

Usually when I'm just sitting about/supposed to be doing my job I can distracted and whistle things - sometimes these are just made up and good melodies so I record them, play them back later and put the chords to that. I think the trouble of being a guitarist and writing with a guitar is that we get caught in patterns quite easily.
 
rocknrollstar said:
Do you write words/melody as well?

Usually when I'm just sitting about/supposed to be doing my job I can distracted and whistle things - sometimes these are just made up and good melodies so I record them, play them back later and put the chords to that. I think the trouble of being a guitarist and writing with a guitar is that we get caught in patterns quite easily.
Click to expand...

Good point, I have a friend that's an excellent Jazz pianist. After I have some ideas, I'll show it to him, and ask him where I could go from what I have. He's helped me compose a lot of bridges, etc.

Pete
 
I oftentimes need something relatively emotional going on in my life - be it good or bad - to create what I consider "my best stuff". When I start to get really frustrated, I tend to look down the path of what rocknrollstar said and pick up another instrument. I've only been playing guitar a few years so I've barely scratched the surface of what it can do for me, but playing or learning another instrument helps me get out of the rut I may be in with the guitar. This works for both songwriting and technique in my case.

And sometimes it's best to just completely get away - once, after a 30 day affair with a piano, I came back to the guitar and felt completely revitalized.

Daryl
 
Go to a new city for the day, then to a cheesy bar, then to a bowling alley, and then to a cemetery.
 
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