Getting Through Your Musical Rutt

[Leslie G.]

I know that I have a lot of friends on here who happen to be music producers, artists, and the like. I just want to know how you get through your musical dry spells, if you have them. Please comment!!

On a personal note, I've noticed what I'm going through musically is a reflection of what I've been going through personally. I just wrote a blog about what I've been going through. You can read it here:

thaproducerchik.blogspot.com

Thanks

Leslie G.

[Jigabod]

Randomness and lowering the standard. Randomness keeps my mind fresh, so when I have no ideas, I do something random, and it's a snowball effect until I get an idea I like.

Also, if your standard gets too high, sometimes you'll be so busy looking for that "golden way" or "common thread" that you neglect the significance of the smaller ideas that come to you. Sometimes genius doesn't show up immediately; sometimes it starts with something insignificant and builds to the genius you're looking for.

For instance, I'm working on a few songs that are coming along slowly. But I had another idea just driving by a gas station, and I was able to do a whole song off it instantly. And, while I wasn't putting a lot of effort into it, its coming out BEAUTIFULLY.

So, randomness and lower standards. Those are my two unblockers, lol...

[D.Q.]

I heard a quote once "90% of inspiration comes from perspiration." I remember a 9-5 that I had that only allowed 6 sick days a year. I had to budget my illness. My employer expected the same level of production from me regardless of what I was dealing with on a personal level. We should require even more of ourselves. I've had days where I sit down and start playing my keyboard and not feel anything I record. I scrap it and take a break. This may happen a few times in the same day. Then, that last time I hit a chord, a progression, or a melody that sparks an idea. It's on from there but, sometimes it takes hard work and frustration to build.

[Chenyelu Bomani]

Hello Leslie G.,
I feel you on this everyone encounters this no matter what it is they do. Inspiration comes in many forms and can speak to you in many ways if you are listening. Use that moment in time to focus on the situation and express your "emotional content" at the moment and refine it later...you may surprise yourself with what comes out of it!
About tools: some tools to me are overated without naming them but whatever tool one uses one must learn to master it great things often lay in simplicity. The greatest tool that you posess is your mind and you must allow it to function unrestricted meaning that on the conscious (awake) level is where restrictions or limitations abide because of the application of logic but the subconscious mind (higher mind) knows all of the answers and it gives them to you all of the time whether it comes in a dream state or within an intuitive flash while awake...listen to it and cast logic aside!

[LuvliJoy]

Well what helps me is to hear how other people have touched someone's life or read some good inspirational material. Or just interacting with people on hits gets me moving. You can find some inspiration on my group called "Inspirations" We post inspirational quotes and share inspirational stories. I would love to see you come through there from time to time.