In a writing rut

[Chunky_Lover]

I appear to be in a rut as far as writing material. Everything I compose is all pretty much the same. I use tons of box patterns, and the same intervals (mainly 5ths and octaves). I just can't seem to get out of this rut and I am growing really irritated. I've tried listening to many different types of music and played different types but it just doesn't help. So does anybody have any ideas as to how I can gain my creativity? Any suggestions are apreciated.

[Kylethelobo]

Since you've identified the box you seem to be stuck in (mostly roots and 5ths), try to slowly add other little patterns in. For example, take a bassline you've already written and replace, say, half of the fifths with thirds. Or perhaps try different rhythms? Also, don't be afraid to try a little chromaticism?

Everyone gets stuck in this rut from time to time. The number one thing is to not let yourself get discouraged!

[pacojas]

if you are right-handed,.. play a left-handed bass or visa-versa. play everything as if its the same positions. mirror a scale starting on the G-string as if....
my friend's left-handed bass made me sound super creative so i transfered those reversed phrases back to my RH'd bass. gl.

[Fergie Fulton]

Try working in music rather than patterns. To appreciate new ideas you need to understand why they work and how they are put together. The best way to do this is to get yourself blank manuscript paper and write out chord tones.
You already use 5th and octave so now you can add some variation. If you start with the idea of stacking 3rds you will come to realise very quickly the subtle differences between chords.
Since all chords have the same construction just get a chord book and follow the notes. If you do not have the knowledge to do this then learning how to will pull you out your rut.
Writing out the chords on manuscript will show you how the work and interact better than just trying to do it on the bass because you are now dealing with music and that applies to all instruments.
Think on this "what good is a guitar player that cannot play chords"? Its the same for bass. Just because the instrument is not associated with playing chords, it does define the notes within chords. Don't think of chords as notes all played at once, think of them as notes that compliment each other in a given situation. They are chord tones and there is lots and lots of info on this forum and the web about them.

The understanding of such matters does not mean you have to use them, but at least you can consider them. You can still have lines that are root-5....but it is an informed choice that you use it.... not because of ignorance of what else there could be.

[Pacman]

This is more a question for Miscellaneous, rather than technique.

Thread moved.

[Joe Nerve]

I get stuck a lot too. Here are some things that work for me (or have helped), when I choose to apply them. Which I actually began doing again the other night as start of a new year.

Someone here suggested the book Effortless Mastery, and I have to admit it pushed me out of a hole. I got stuck about a third of the way through the book, but was promted to push on and I'm glad I did. It really helped me to let go of caring so much about what I was creating, and commit to just creating.

You said you've been listening to and playing a lot of different stuff. I'm surprised that hasn't helped. When I learn 4 or 5 songs in a particular genre, or from a single bassist, it often influences what comes out of me. Especially when I'm in deep. Maybe really going outside your boundaries is what you need to do. Maybe study some classical music, learn some saxaphone lines on bass, get into some old disco, learn some yes songs, country songs - whatever it takes to bust you out.

The thing that's worked best for me, and which I really need to apply now is to just commit to working at least 15 minutes a day. Regardless of what comes out. The 15 minutes almost always turns into more, and regardless - it adds up. One of the toughest things for me is when I sit and write and feel like I accomplished nothing I like. The thing is though I have to push myself past those times realizing that it's a necessary part of my process. If I don't plough through them they'll just stay there keeping me blocked. So time that seems unproductive isn't actually so. It's moving forward even if it feels it's not.

I know much of the above doesn't apply to you. Wrote for myself. I've got work to do today and needed this primer. Good luck. I always get happy when I see people here writing. Most I believe don't. Or at least that's what I summize by the participation in these types of threads.

I"ll drop one last note. While I never really liked the book, I know many have gotten inspired and pushed through to new ground reading the bood The Artist's Way. Didn't do anything for me, but others might find it helpful.

[mambo4]

Most likely the limitation is in your hands more than your ears.

Put the bass down and sing an idea.
Keep singing it till it sinks in and you can faithfully recreate it, you "know" how it goes.
record it if you can.
Then and only then, pick up your bass and figure out how to play it.
Be care not to let the idea "slide" into familiar habitual territory as you figure it out,
place your instrument and hands at the service of your ideas.

It can be hard at first but in my experience my strongest musical ideas have come about without an instrument in my hands to distract me.

[Chunky_Lover]

I rarely hear anything in my head and when i do it sounds the same. Or the riffs i think of sound really similar to something i already know. And is there any fingering patterns that i could play other than box patterns. If i broke away from that i think I would be able to pull myself out of this rut.

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by Chunky_Lover

I rarely hear anything in my head and when i do it sounds the same. Or the riffs i think of sound really similar to something i already know. And is there any fingering patterns that i could play other than box patterns. If i broke away from that i think I would be able to pull myself out of this rut.

feels like we're being "PUNKED",...
will you at least try the ideas presented OR do you want this thread to become redundant. learn a new scale for starters.
just saying. (sorry if i offend)

[jollygiantchris]

Learn new material that is radically different from what you play or listen to new stuff in a different genre then you normally do.

[anonymous122511]

Quit worrying about it. It happens to everyone. If you really feel you must try to do something to find your "creativity" go for a walk....maybe it's at the park.