Motivation

Hey guys....

Recently I've been afflicted with a bout of laziness. I just can't seem to get myself INTO my music right now. I suppose I should have seen this coming, I wrote like a demon and got a small orchestral piece done as well as the first movement of a solo violin suite I've been working on for some time.

Anybody else just get LAZY sometimes?

Anybody else just get LAZY sometimes?

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Yeah...it's necessary to recharge the batteries sometimes. I don't chalk it up to laziness per se, but try and use the time 'wisely'... Listen to something...read a book. Practice. ...

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Hey guys....

Recently I've been afflicted with a bout of laziness. I just can't seem to get myself INTO my music right now. I suppose I should have seen this coming, I wrote like a demon and got a small orchestral piece done as well as the first movement of a solo violin suite I've been working on for some time.

Anybody else just get LAZY sometimes?

hell yes.

When I feel lazy, I pull out all of my rejected pieces and try to do something with them, hahaha.

Sometimes I just work really hard on something and when I finish it, I relish the freedom of not being obsessed with it anymore. It then takes me a little bit to get back rolling again.

I'm going through a bit of a period like that now, too. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Hey guys....

Recently I've been afflicted with a bout of laziness. I just can't seem to get myself INTO my music right now. I suppose I should have seen this coming, I wrote like a demon and got a small orchestral piece done as well as the first movement of a solo violin suite I've been working on for some time.

Anybody else just get LAZY sometimes?

Tell me about it. I have at least 40 peices of music that aren't finished. It's a terrible habit. I start something...I work and work and work on it...then I exhaust myself, take a break. Do other things. Then when I get back to music I start something new....

How long is "too long" for a composition break? Is it necessary to be regular, or is it all up to the individual? I churned out a relatively impressive amount of compositions approximately 6 months ago, but 3 months later, my productivity began to die down. I'm not sure if it's because I concentrated more on 2 pieces instead of creating new melodies and riffs, or because I'm losing what little inspiration I had to begin with. Hopefully it's just a dry period, but it's been going on for quite a while. There are many factors that could be responsible, so I'm not sure if I should be worried or not.

If one continues to attempt to compose, is it impossible to really deteriorate (unless something external interferes, such as being forced to write in a certain style), or can one's ability peak and cascade after only 1-2 years?

When I feel lazy, I pull out all of my rejected pieces and try to do something with them, hahaha.

Sometimes I just work really hard on something and when I finish it, I relish the freedom of not being obsessed with it anymore. It then takes me a little bit to get back rolling again.

The similarities between us shock me profusely. Rather than fix them, I sometimes listen to older pieces in order to gauge my abilities. It's often enlightening to realize how much improvement has occurred, and to stumble upon forgotten ideas. It can either boost or lower self-esteem, depending on how worthy the compositions are judged to be.

I usually compose in surges; I might be almost addicted to composition for days, months or weeks at a time, then suddenly do nothing or turn to performing for quite a while after that.

The best motivation I find in myself is to when I have a purpose to write the piece. For example say, to a competition, dedicate to someone or for an ensemble..

I always put a deadline to myself. I take a calender and lay down my timeline of when I am going to do what. For example, 5 days I will write the outline and the 5 days I will fill the harmonies and chords. and then couple of days i will finish the first draft. and 2-3 days to finish the second draft. You will be amazed how this works perfectly. If none of you tried this I suggest at least try it once.

Sometimes I just work really hard on something and when I finish it, I relish the freedom of not being obsessed with it anymore. It then takes me a little bit to get back rolling again.

That seems like what I have right now. Or should I say, "had back then". I've got a great idea for a pice for

tenor and piano. I found a poem scribbled anonymously on the wall at school that would be PERFECT! I was

foolin' with some chords as well..... looks like I'm over my slump.

Thanks guys.

One thing you might consider cultivating is the habit of composing even when you least feel like it. That is to say, don't wait for the "pregnant" feeling of being inspired to write music. Keep writing. Even if you feel lazy or unmotivated or whatever, just start writing, regardless of whether what comes out is good. Sometimes you will surprise yourself. I've written some of my best material on days when I felt lazy and unmotivated. It is as though the process of creating music is deeper in the brain than our emotions and whims.

I agree with you there.

If you're a composer you shouldn't have to WAIT for inspiration. It's what you do so you should be doing it

all the time.

I DO do this to a degree. When I'm out and about I come up with ideas all the time. It's just when I'm lazy

like I was I don't have the drive to get anything done.

But all's well now!