Hello all,

Just writing this post and looking for ideas on how others deal with writers block. I consider myself a creative person and usually don't have an issue when it comes to writing songs. I am currently trying to write songs for a album and am stumped. I assume it is because I am writing for a specific goal that I am limited but it is a hurdle I cannot get over at the moment. My usual style of writing is melody first, then lyrics to suit. Lately I cannot get good flowing melodies. Lyrics are weak too but not as big of a concern. I have gone to my perverbial "happy places" for insiration with no luck. I am forging ahead and working through it but was wondering what others do to combat this annoying issue.

Thanks,

"My usual style of writing is melody first, then lyrics to suit" - T. Wallace

Try reversing the order. Often that will lead to interesting places.

Best, John

Take a Vacation..Get Drunk...Fall in Love. Or ALL the above...

Always worked for me...heh!

Good Luck with the Project,
Stan

John, I will try that and see what happens...
"Tampa Stan" - I have a trip planned to Nashville, where I'll get drunk...but my wife won't let me date....

roll ya a fatty then crank up the ol amp!

You have to stop trying so hard and let the right brain take over. Have a pen and paper or a recorder handy at all times and go about your business napping or driving or walking and something will pop into your head. Make sure you capture it or it will float away before you get to your desk. Creativity is fleeting. Then comes the hard work of fleshing out your idea.....

Look around the net at ads, proverbs, quotes anything similar, or listen to a few songs.Somewhere among this you'll find an idea.
It can work.If all fails, relax sooner or later you'll get the muse.
Travis

well, for melodies I watch TV while I let my fingers wander between chords on the guitar. I used to write watching Oprah, now it's reruns of the Rockford files.

For lyrics - do something different. Go somewhere local you have not been before - or someplace you like but have not been in a while. Call up old friends you have not talked to in a long time and discuss things that have no connection with what you want to write about. This creates new "connections" in your brain between totally unconnected ideas.

Or it you're really stuck, you can try...

Song Name Generator or one of the similar programmes out there.

They don't write the song for you, but can at least get some random ideas happening. Apparently Bowie used to cut up random words fron newspapers, put two together, and go from there.

I guess any two random words from a dictionary will at least get the thoughts going.

cheers, niteshift

PS - just saw Doug's post. Yes, it's about seemingly unconnected events which makes good writing.

Well,
If you have written a lot of songs already and new ideas are absent just quit for a while. Do other things. I haven't written anything for over 3 years. I have a song file where I put ideas for later. I currently have about 3 ideas that need work but it is still not coming.

Nashville? Have a nice visit but don't expect to accomplish anything while you are there. I think things are pretty dead right now.

Lower your standards.

Seriously. Write a few pointlessly bad songs. Say anything, without even bothering to rhyme...just make up verses and choruses in about five minutes, tops. Finish a few of them like that. The process will kick your brain into gear, and before you know it, the good stuff will begin to flow.

Ray, sounds like you maybe ought to reconsider your own advice! That's an awfully long block...

Well Mark,
Sometimes when I start to write something, I think, damn, I've already written that! No kidding. After a while you run out of Ideas. I have been making some phone calls to prospective publisher's to see if I can send some songs. Most are disconnected. I have plenty of songs to pitch. No Prospects.

I hear you. When my first child was born, I pretty much hung up my guitars and kissed songwriting goodbye. It lasted about a dozen years, until I finally realized it was the root cause of an increasing depression. So I began to try to write songs again, and to my horror, I realized I couldn't finish a damn thing. The magic was gone

Well, I thought it was, anyway. What pulled me out of it was a decision to just play. I bought a used cassette multitracker and started recording instrumental stuff. Then I found myself just messing around with lyrics again, but not really caring about the result. That low-rent way of doing things started to spark much better ideas. Now I feel like I'm at the top of my game, and the ideas are always within reach again. I had to stop trying to write my best work...it was too frustrating when I couldn't come up with anything good enough. It was only through the process of allowing myself to put out a bunch of crap for fun that the good stuff began to return again.

Hope you get that old feeling back again--the longer we're here, the more we ought to know...I truly think your best work is yet to be written.

What Stan, Colin & Mark said....

I guess we all have to figure out what inspires us to go own in this crazy business. I find changing course every couple days works for me. If I compose a dozen piano rags and feel wiped-out, I’ll change course and compose a tango, ballad, etc. Or an orchestrated work. Or an Asian/ World track. Or an electronic track. The idea is not to get hung-up in the same mode.

Of course songwriting is more limited in options. But maybe if you’re writing Country tunes, try changing course and write a pop, folk, jazz standard – something totally different than your normal genre.

Also if you’re writing love songs, try writing drinking songs, political songs, Sci-Fi tunes like “My Baby Came from Outer Space”.

I also think staying active in your writing daily is important. I compose every morning. The afternoons I use for recording. Then after supper I usually relax with the misses and watch some old films. They often inspire me for the next morning.

I guess I’m addicted to routine. Anyway it works for me. If taking a break from writing works for some that's fine. Just don't stay away too long. Life is short.

You don't think I'm coming off like a preacher do you?

Reverend John

I think you've got some great ideas here for getting out of a writer's block.

However, your situation might be different - I can't quite tell from your post. You say you are writing for an album and are stumped. If the songs are not really related to one another, that probably means you are just daunted by the sheer number. However, if the album has a theme, it's a different story - because you are constrained by the fact that the songs all have to fit the theme.

If it's the former, I'd say just do what the folks here suggest.

If it's the latter, I'd do what they suggest too. However, I wouldn't expect that every song has to be on the album.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you are writing to a theme, don't force it - otherwise it will sound like you are forcing it. Just put yourself in situations where you might get inspiration and hope that it comes. If it doesn't, wait....

In the meantime, use the tricks given here to keep you writing songs that won't appear on the album. That way you keep in a songwriting mode and it will be easier when inspiration comes.

And you might come up with some cool stuff too - even if it doesn't work for the album.

I'm not entirely making this up - I'm in that situation a lot

Scott

Another thing to beware of: do you always try to write at the same time of day? If so, maybe it's just the wrong time. Back in my 20's, I used to write my best stuff at night...nowadays, I reserve nighttime for mixing or recording. I create best in the morning now, with fresh energy and a brain unburdened by a long day's memories and concerns. By nighttime, my creative ideas are dumbed down and hard to reach. I can play instruments and sing, and I can mix and do other left-brain stuff until I fall asleep in my chair, but my muse is off-duty and won't answer my calls.

I ALMOST ALWAYS write in the morning.


Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

As you write the melody first then the lyrics, why not look around the boards for other members with lyrics looking for a collaborator on the music side. (plenty on the boards looking for musicators).

If you like the lyrics, then try to write the music for their lyrics. This may get the creative juices flowing in the right direction.

I usually find that if I do what I consider a great write, then a few more will follow in quick succession. Its like the brain is suddenly on a different level.

Just my thoughts and I could be wrong.

May be good if you put a link to some of your work so that others can see what you are about musically.

God Bless Roy and Helen

Thanks all, great thoughts and advice. I will try and apply muck if not all advice to try and break my slump.

Cheers

You mentioned you have the most success writing the melodies first then the lyrics. It appears from your picture that you play acoustic guitar. Have you ever tried playing in some open turnings to change things up? When ever I get stuck I experiment with something new. Over the years, I've found a few favorites such as DADFAD or DADF#AD. I've got to the point where I write almost as much open as I do standard. It just forces you to play and hear melodies in a different way.

Tom W.

how others deal with writers block

It happens.

I am currently trying to write songs for a album and am stumped.
Let go of that goal
take a break
Go live

Cowrite

listen to lots of music
READ
have your song idea radar ON all the time and jot down ideas

"usual style of writing is melody first, then lyrics to suit"
shake up your process

don't worry about it
flow comes and goes
keep showing up
don't edit or analyze too soon
allow yourself to write crap and rewrite and rewrite

get feedback and critiques

I usually get ideas on a long drive somewhere (sometimes they are songs) .
Take a recorder with you and just let it flow.
Vic

The really important thing to do is not worry about how bad or uninspired your next song is, the important thing to do is just write it, and write another one, and so on. It's a muscle, you keep it strong by excercising it, but taking a break, a short one, every so often.

I liken it to a prospector panning for gold. You gotta sift thru a lot of sand to find nuggets, but the nuggets never come in a steady even pace, they come in groups, so, you're in in a sandy period, but if you stop, you'll never get to the nuggets, but if you continue, the law of averages will kick in.

Pat Hardy Lockwood

Writers Block I rarely have trouble with.I have trouble with too many ideas for songs at the same time. I write two or three a week.

I'm in the midst of a huge writer's block myself.
What I usually do is get on Flickr and just explore photos. When I find one that catches my eye, I look at it for a while until something comes to me.
Or I'll pull out my old poetry and look through them, pulling out phrases that stand out.
Have a go at it, see what happens(:

~~Yanii M.

Listen to your favorite kind of music and just let it soak into your soul

Hello!
When I get writers block, I usually listen to a different style of music for a while.It allows me to free my mind of creating music and focus on enjoying someone elses. Then I get ideas of different stories to tell or instrumentals to make.Some times other music inspire me to write.I hope I was a help. Keep in touch!!

Post deleted by December Rock Star

Carry a note pad and keep it on your night stand. The thoughts will come then write it down. Don't think it will wait because it won't and a great thought will be lost. Hope this helps. It works for me when I follow my own advice.

I go lie down on the ground somewhere and just let my thoughts wander. I usually start thinking about one lyric or hook I have in mind and often it will develop into something!

I always have trouble with writers block because I have it all the time and it's hard enough writing a song but even harder when you try to write one and you can't, and if I do I try to do it right and if I said I take criticism, only some, as I don't have a thick skin IN THE SLIGHTEST, and I will admit that I do get upset when people don't think that what I'm doing is good because what I do is what I do, and I can say I have the worst case of writers block that I know of and that not even advice can get me out of it.

If you are sensitive to critical reviews, you need to let folks know that when you post songs. You may want to try out FAWM which starts February 1st. You won't a more positive, supportive group anywhere. That will stomp your "writer's block" into the ground!

When it's up and running, I will check it out.

When the "muse is away"... try to do what Stan suggested. Just get away from music for awhile. Play golf, go skiing, send your brainwaves to a different place and let them refresh a little.

Most of us don't have a schedule to meet when it comes to writing (except for our resident composer, JLS!) so don't get so involved in song-writing that you let it take over your life. I tend to be a little OCD about my writing and recording but that is only because I know my days are dwindling.

It's alot like playing golf... if you aren't having fun at it... find something else to do.

All the best,

Dave

Mow the lawn or take a 2-mile walk.

Thanks all, I did take a break. Dealt with some non music related stressors and wham....I am back to writing. Thanks again all for the ideas and kind words..

One thing I found to be helpful for me is I have to be in the mood, meaning, I keep my recording equipment on line at all times.

If i try too hard I don't get the feel/mood of the music. Also maybe because I'm getting older I have a hard time remember the mood of the music or even the song if i don't capture it when I am in the grove.

I record small tracks on the spot and play them back when i find time to finish the work. Hope this helps!

Best Regards

Bill White

Theoriginalrocker.com

One approach is to pick up an instrument you can't play, or have never tried or haven't in a long time and plunk around on it. By breaking the pattern and perhaps by struggling to play, your creative mind will try to overcome the deficit and kick in. REM once did a complete album all playing new instruments they couldn't previously play. I always remembered that and bought an acoustic/electric bass which I can't play, but found myself writing tons of songs around. If you're a guitarist, try plunking around on a keyboard, or find a drum machine to program some tracks which might light a spark up for you.

Usually it's the fact you have to write for a specific project. As the deadline approaches the floodgates will open on their own. I know that happens with me often. Amazing what some deadline panic will do. I've had critical ideas come up where I finished something seconds from a deadline.

Good luck,

Brian

I like Brian's idea and I do something similar. Along with "writers block" I get "players block". Sometimes my guitar and mandolin sit there for two weeks collecting dust. I just don't feel like playing. I started going to YouTube looking for lessons to songs that I can't play or aren't very good at. I found one very difficult instrumental that has both guitar and mandolin parts. The better I get at it the more I want to play. It keeps my fingers in shape and gives me a reason to take the instruments out of the case.
I've been playing guitar for 34 years and have never stopped learning.

Hi,

My suggestions for writer's block is to try to start with a title. Use that title as a spring board. Write down every word and phrase that you think of without worrying about rhymes, etc. Look at what you came up with and see if any word or phrase jumps out at you that would work well for a 1st verse idea or chorus idea. Ideally,if you can come up with a chorus idea first, you can begin melody ideas for the chorus and then work on the 1st verse once this is done. Hope this helps. Roger

One way to overcome writer's block is to buy some current music you like. I bought 5 CDs by Little Big Town and have been inspired to write 9 new songs.

I'd agree with Stan and Brian--but I'd go further. Do different stuff, period. Go some places you've never been, meet people you haven't known before, do stuff you haven't done. Inspiration can come from anywhere; spice your life up a little and see what happens. Like Bill Shakespeare said (at least, I hope he said it--I quoted him in a video), "Keep your eyes and ears open and remember the world is a very strange place."

I had writer's block once. I ultimately decided the solution was to write a song about it. Since I wrote "The Writer's Block Blues" (http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=2094541), I haven't had the problem.

Joe

for me it is to write, write anything, let the ideas flow where ever they want and try to complete every idea started. you will get "bad" ones as well as good ones and sometimes those bad become the good.

I imagine you you know that writing, like other things we do, needs to be worked at. the more you do the easier it is to re-connect with your muse.

and as others have said, try some place new, try something new AND relax. the ideas will come.

douglas

Keep writing and among all the dross that will inevitably come out there could be a hook or good idea in there.
Travis

Sometimes when I'm stumped, I'll go over to my piano, and let my fingers noodle on the keys. Found a few nice melodies this way -- amidst a seemingly chaos of notes, a melody emerges. It might take a half hour, but one usually comes. I find it's easier on the piano than the guitar to do this, though I'm primarily a guitarist. I don't know why it is.

Another way is just to strike a chord, one chord, and see if a melody emerges, or play a rhythm on a chord, or a chord progression, or fool around looking for progressions I've not done before; get out of the comfort zone, so to speak. I do that sometimes, too.

But, there are times when I "feel a song coming on". I don't know how to explain it. And when that happens, the melody and chords happen simultaneously, it never fails me, but I don't know how to provoke that feeling, it comes and goes.

When it comes to lyrics, which is more often than not, I let someone else write them, problem solved. It's nice though, when I can do both, but most often others write my lyrics. I'm not a man with that much to say.

Pat Hardy Lockwood

If I am at a loss, I'll pick up a guitar and play different chord progressions, familiar riffs, etc. Kinda go on autopilot while thinking . Sometimes the physical activity of playing helps with the thought process.

I do anything other than try to write. The ideas start to flow when I do laundry, cook, clean whatever.
I also call up the most whiny person I know and let them vent. This gets the wheels turning for me!

Hi T.Wallace. How about you use a chord progression chart as a starting point for inspiration? Something like this one I found on the web https://www.doremistudios.com.au/scale-tone-chords-minor-keys/ Good luck :-)