Stuck in a writing rut

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:19 pm

So I used to write tons of music with two guitars and also in drop d, but I've decided to pull my crap together and act my own age but now that Im writing one guitar songs in regular tuning im stuck in a rut and cant some up with anything worth a crap...

Anyone have a good remedy for this? Beer? Mushrooms?

ugh...

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:30 pm

lol you dont have to stay in regular tuning dude, there are so many sweet tunings you can try out.

just mess around. to corner urself with worrying about chord progressions or all that music theory jazz....jsut start playing a note or something that you think sounds good and jsut work off that.

just let it happen.

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:32 pm

to....i mean dont corner urself

i suck at words haha

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:43 am

While The Bear's method may work for some people, it requires a lot more time, and the outcome is usually less brilliant. Knowledge of at least a basic amount of theory is extremely helpful. If you have an idea in your head and you know your theory, you can make that idea into music because you know how certain progressions sound and how they can back different melodies.

I don't know what kind of music you write, but try just sitting alone in a room with recording equipment, choosing a topic to write on, a key or mode, and a time signature, and just throw out licks or melodies or thoughts -- out loud, the first thing that pops into your head -- all the while recording all this.

Then listen back, take what you like, change what you don't.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:04 pm

Thoery? Multiple guitars? You've got to be kidding.

Just clap your hands and whistle a tune. You can add the words later. "Yesterday" started out as "Scrambled Eggs."

OK, theory will help you harmonize the tune, but that comes later.

Of course, I have never written a song.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:10 pm

I have about 4 CD's worth of material and I have been thinking about your post.

It took me about 30 years of playing before I actually wrote what I consider a good song.

I drew upon my most emotional feeling about a situation and once I did that it became easier and easier. That opened the flood gates and allowed me to get in touch with that side of my musical ability.

What was your motivation before? Since you say it's time to act your age, write something about your life as an adult.

One problem may be that you might be trying to write music in a style that you have out grown.

First decide what your musical style is. Then just start writing on acoustic guitar, electric, piano or any instrument you can play. Even bass......bass is easy because you don't play chords too often so it can lead to catchy one note lines.

For me having a few guitars sitting around helps. I seem to play a little different on every guitar I have, even though they are very similar. I use different tunings because a lot of the songs have slide in it. So having a few even cheap guitars around with different type of tuning. Use your imagination.

I know what style I have which is blues rock with a slight Southern and more of a Texas feel. Something like SRV, but more Johnny Winter and early Z.Z. Top. So it's a lot of progressions and stuff that has been rehashed. That does make it easier to write since it's just my version of everything that's been done before.

I don't think anything is really original, you can trace almost all types of music back to an origin.

Maybe try copying yourself but with a different approach.

Get in touch with your emotions and start banging out some chords. Think about the first chick that broke your heart or something corny like that.

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:52 pm

MediaMurder wrote:

So I used to write tons of music with two guitars and also in drop d, but I've decided to pull my crap together and act my own age

The answer is in your soliloquy.....

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:25 am

Are you changing your entire process of creating songs just for the sake of saying so, or because you really want to? There's always room for immautrity in the creative process...don't take it too seriously or you'll overthink things.

We make music for others to hear, but it should come down to what you really want. Pay no attention to the "what will other people think?" approach. If you liked writing songs in dropped D with two guitars, by all means, do it! On the other hand, if you really feel the need for change, I'd suggest just giving it some time. Learn some material in normal tunings using only one guitar and you can begin to see how to go about things. Ironically, I had this exact problem a few years back...only concerning writing in dopped D! It's all a matter of getting used to it. The first few songs I wrote sounded banal and I hated them. As time goes on...well, I'm still alive to talk about it. Just don't try playing the guitar with your wrist.
Wink

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:42 am

I personally found some good ideas from the following articles. OK. Its not mushrooms but it will shake a few brain cells WITHOUT DESTROYING THEM!!!!
Laughing

http://www.tomhess.net/articles.php?article=18

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