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Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:01 am
by Mapledelux
What do you do for some damn inspiration? shit fades away in a blink of an eye .... how do you begin with a song?

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:07 am
by Mapledelux
and weed dosnt count

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:15 am
by wub
If I've been having writers block for a while - Stop trying to force it and go do something else.


If it's only just kicked in - Design synth patches, bounce some sweeps, create random drumkit presets on FPC, run samples through granulizer & bounce out the results

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:17 am
by wub
Or sit down with my headphones on and a track I'm really liking at that moment, and listen to it over and over again, making notes on how it's put together. When I've got enough notes, fire up the computer and try and replicate it.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:37 am
by Dipstep
go do something else for a minute. writersblock is something you get when you're bored or if you have something more important to do.(you might not even realise consciously ). Also make sure you have NO time for producing :wink:

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:08 am
by serox
Mapledelux wrote:What do you do for some damn inspiration? shit fades away in a blink of an eye .... how do you begin with a song?
Does not happen to me anymore. If I do get a bit stuck it is normally cos I am stoned out of my head and cannot even think. When this does happen all I need to do is listen to about half a track from one of my fav artists and I want to get back on it.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:47 pm
by Recessive Trait
listen to some classic rock. steal a chord progression from a great old song, then turn it into your own. it all spirals from there.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:55 pm
by Ongelegen
do something else, it will come back. always works for me :)

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:42 pm
by TM45
When I wanna write I just force myself to make a 4 bar pattern, with drums, synths, bass etc. until it sounds like a part of a song. Then I save it and write another. Usually do this until I have 9 or 10. Then leave it. Go do something else. Come back the next day and look what you've made. One or more will jump out and say "Finish me" ^_^

I work on lots of tracks at once, probably 90% get dropped, but there's one that hits the spot.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:49 pm
by Wrigzilla
Allow yourself to live instead of just sitting in front of the screen getting frustrated. Go to the pub, hang out with your mates, play some sport or something.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:16 pm
by Sharmaji
exercise. and don't start a song w/ drums.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:26 pm
by gnome
Do nothing until the inspiration hits. The best way. I used to fuss when I wasn't producing and it made me feel guilty lol. Now I don't care.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:34 pm
by Blooandwhite
whenever i get writers block i usually keep myself from getting too stressed about 1 particular project and instead end up with a handful of projects that are usually just 64 bars of buildups or beats. sometimes i just experiment with new vsts or techniques which dont usually get farther than some sort of synth patch or a random melody. i think the key with writers block is to distance yourself from the stress of not being able to come up with a new tune but still learning and experimenting with music. im always drumming or playing piano, sometimes more intensely than other times. i also draw/art stuff a lot which is very similar to the music making process (studio art minor combined with music major wot!) i also just bought the first video game i have played all year and found a good bit of inspiration in that! other times ill just replay old school classics (super metroid is perfect for a sense of deepness) and hope to get some ideas for a new tune. i think the key with writers block is just reminding yourself not to get too stressed and constantly try new/other things!

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:21 pm
by +3
gnome wrote:Do nothing until the inspiration hits. The best way. I used to fuss when I wasn't producing and it made me feel guilty lol. Now I don't care.
+3 :wink:

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:57 pm
by Grumblex
man block sucks so bad ! i think its best to do summin completely different ! also playing video games is good lol

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:59 pm
by upstateface
Sharmaji wrote:don't start a song w/ drums.
This!!!!!

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 8:13 pm
by looney
get away from your computer as fast as possible
go outside
exercise
go work your easy, monotonous job where you're forced to think about music all day without being able to act on it
drink some coffee

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:46 pm
by glottis5
Read reviews of albums that you've never heard. I find that the flowery, metaphorical way in which critics describe music always gives me a lot of ideas, even when it's an album that I would never, ever listen to.

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:14 pm
by Blooandwhite
i gotta try the not writing drums first thing. the entire song in my sig came from a lead i heard an oboe play in a school orchestra that i kept in my head for months!

Re: Writer Block Tips

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 10:26 pm
by urbannerd62
just get inspired.. i used to have the most rediculous writers block. like weeks at a time. but then I realized you can't force art, you gotta let art come naturally

just get outta the house n have some fun. have a few drinks with your friends, go party, go to work, just do SOMETHING. females really help as well, everytime i start talking to a new girl i feel like it refreshes my inspiration for music. :wink: