Creativity

Hi everyone! I really like writing songs, but recently I've felt like my creativity has washed away with the many simple songs I've written. Sometimes it's lyrics, sometimes melodies, sometimes chord patterns; I just can't think of anything new. Does anybody have any advice for me, like anything they do to find more inspiration? I've tried nature, singing what comes to my mind, and mostly doodling. (I have a very bad habit of drawing on everything!) Any other ideas for inspiration? 

Nothing wrong with drawing on everything.  I'm in my 40's and I still do it.   

As for writer's block.  It will come back.  It's just a matter o time. Don't force it.  Usually I draw on some unforgettable circumstances and draw from that.  

Try analysing what points make all of your songs too close to each other, and diverge from that. People often say that music theory is just a tool, but I often find it very intresting to use it as a starting point instead of using it when needed. We often use too much of the same, and if we don't make an effort to change, we rarely do 🙂

I try to have multiple music projects going on at the same time that require different skills, some creative and some not. For example, have a long term project that seeks out fresh ideas to use for the future. Write them down. Have a project that is utility based (not based on actual composing), and one, the kind you're lamenting over now, where you are in the "zone" of creativity and composing. These should have the highest priority because they don't last unless you can stay with it and drop all else for a period of time. You have to determine which mode you're in. If you can't get an idea, go to step one or two. Sort of like that.

15 hours ago, maestrowick said:

Nothing wrong with drawing on everything.  I'm in my 40's and I still do it.   

As for writer's block.  It will come back.  It's just a matter o time. Don't force it.  Usually I draw on some unforgettable circumstances and draw from that.  

 

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll just have to wait 😀

15 hours ago, Jean Szulc said:

Try analysing what points make all of your songs too close to each other, and diverge from that. People often say that music theory is just a tool, but I often find it very intresting to use it as a starting point instead of using it when needed. We often use too much of the same, and if we don't make an effort to change, we rarely do 🙂

 

That's actually really true. I find myself using very similar chord patterns, or writing songs about nearly the same things! Thanks for the advice. 

11 hours ago, Ken320 said:

I try to have multiple music projects going on at the same time that require different skills, some creative and some not. For example, have a long term project that seeks out fresh ideas to use for the future. Write them down. Have a project that is utility based (not based on actual composing), and one, the kind you're lamenting over now, where you are in the "zone" of creativity and composing. These should have the highest priority because they don't last unless you can stay with it and drop all else for a period of time. You have to determine which mode you're in. If you can't get an idea, go to step one or two. Sort of like that.

 

That's a really good idea! I'll have to try it. 

One thing you can do that I have found to be effective is to set some kind of hard deadline. You will be forced to come up with something, and often a time limit inspires more creativity/problem solving than really thinking about something with no clear goal in mind. The more you do this the better your ideas will become. This is the reason many musicians/engineers/writers purposely set deadlines despite not REALLY needing one.

3 hours ago, LayneBruce said:

One thing you can do that I have found to be effective is to set some kind of hard deadline. You will be forced to come up with something, and often a time limit inspires more creativity/problem solving than really thinking about something with no clear goal in mind. The more you do this the better your ideas will become. This is the reason many musicians/engineers/writers purposely set deadlines despite not REALLY needing one.

 

Hm. I never really thought of that! 😃 Usually I would think not having a deadline and letting the ideas come naturally would be the best, but I'm open to anything if it stops my writing block! Thanks for the advice 🙂