What do you do?

[zongeek]

When you hit that terrible stagnation or writers block?

I feel like I have so much stuff swimming up in my head, but I can't get it out. Music, riffs, lines, lyrics, lyric concepts....

You get what I mean. I refuse to listen to other music for fear I get a little to influenced. I've tried reading, painting (well here soon I will), walking, swimming, et. al.

Probably doesn't help that I'm not in a band so I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off of. I don't know about the rest of you, but I write and work so much better in a pair.

So what do you all do?

[tzadik]

Hang in there.

Pick up the pencil. Pick up the paper. Make 4 measures and put a clef in front of it. Just take it a bar or two at a time.

Or, if you aren't actually writing, just shut the blinds, turn out the lights, make it nice and dark - and just start playing. Start with one note. Or one string. Sllloooooowwlly allow yourself two notes, then three, and take your time.... then four.

Create more boundaries than you have. Break em. Then, in the habit of breaking boundaries, you'll break even the ones you just created.

Don't let the fear of being overwhelmed/failure/whatever keep you from the music.

I also liek walking/running a lot for when my head is spinning. Also, if it's music that is the problem, sometimes I get out a notebook and write. If it's writing that is the problem, I head to the bass.

Just some thoughts. Good luck. :>

[Blackbird]

There has been a thread about this a few days back. I hope you don't mind if I recycle my answer.

The most surefire way to get "creative block" is to believe that it exists.

Creativity is like mood: sometimes a person feels great, other times not so good. The point is there are swings and roundabouts. You're still the same person with the same set of skills.

Blaming an element you can't control is a convenient way to excuse creative output that doesn't please you, but you should accept it as part of the process and believe that even if you didn't produce something great today, you produced something, and the thing you produce next will be better, and if it isn't, the one after that.

Process > Product.

[Alex]

I get all my material from just rocking out with a drum machine, improvising until I hear a good riff or something. I stop and write that down, then get back to playing. Rinse and repeat. Does wonders for me.

[Sandwich Man]

I'll give you two different answers, judging that my profession is writing.

For music, record yourself humming the tune or if you have something worked out, record that and play it back to hear what you have. If it sounds like you're on the right track, humm the counterbeats and accents along with your basic line. Then humm whatever other instrument parts you invision. Improv in your mind this way and you'll feel satisfied. The way I look at it, writer's block is simply a temporary loss of confidence in your ability and a loss of patience to keep to rhythm of your mind, so if you just slow it down and get it all out in layers, it should break it.

If you want to break actual writer's block for literary writing, try going for a run, that's what I do, and it usually helps me by refocussing me. Get fresh air, be out there, away from the pen that seems as empty as the sky before you. Write away right away.

And of course, Bob Marley is always helpful.

[canopener]

Try a slightly different technique. Maybe even adjusting your strap slightly higher/lower...something that will give you a different physical approach as long as it is within your comfort zone.

[Snarf]

I just quit writing "songs" with "lyrics." I sucked at it. When I do write, it's jazz in lead sheet format, or a repetitive chord progression and riff with soloing overdubbed on it.

[zongeek]

Great suggestions/advice guys! I will invest in those.

[morf]

Originally Posted by Sandwich Man

I'll give you two different answers, judging that my profession is writing.

For music, record yourself humming the tune or if you have something worked out, record that and play it back to hear what you have. If it sounds like you're on the right track, humm the counterbeats and accents along with your basic line. Then humm whatever other instrument parts you invision. Improv in your mind this way and you'll feel satisfied. The way I look at it, writer's block is simply a temporary loss of confidence in your ability and a loss of patience to keep to rhythm of your mind, so if you just slow it down and get it all out in layers, it should break it.

If you want to break actual writer's block for literary writing, try going for a run, that's what I do, and it usually helps me by refocussing me. Get fresh air, be out there, away from the pen that seems as empty as the sky before you. Write away right away.

And of course, Bob Marley is always helpful.

+1, great suggestions, thats always worked for me even in the worst moods I find some heavy death metal riff that I like