what do you do if you don't have any inspiration for composing?

Question

I play guitar, and from a period i started to lose my inspiration. I listen to a lot of rock bands like: gnr, acdc, metallica. My favourite guitar player is slash. What can i do to get inspired and compose?

Answer 1

I'm a composer and have been through long droughts where I thought I'd just lost it completely. The best thing to do, I've found, is to listen to some really good music. Sometimes it helps to listen to something you've never heard before or something you're not really familiar with, because it makes you think a little differently.

When I'm actively composing, though, I barely listen to music at all.

Answer 2

This happens often to me. Since I'm a writer it's called "Writers Block" and it can be painful. I don't know what it's called for artists though.

What I do when I have a bad case of writers block is go have a pic-nic in the park. I guess the nature really inspires me. I always bring a notebook with me incase an idea pops up. This way I can write it down and I wont forget it.

If the pic-nic in the park doesnt work I meditate. This may sound creepy but it usually works extremely well because meditating triggers the part of your brain that gives you creative ideas (I don't know what this part is called).

Then as a final step if the meditating doesn't work I sit in the bathtub. I don't know what it is about the bathroom but the whole place gets my brain working. It's never let me down, it's where I think of most of the ideas for my stories.

I've never had to think of another step because the bathroom never lets me down. Never has and I'm pretty sure it never will.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

im more of a reserved person; when i experience a block (i draw, write and compose; but my life is stressful so i tend to experience blocks often, during exam weeks etc.) i get my mp3 player and go out. i walk, trying to enjoy the nature, understanding its complexity and looking over my life, other people's lives, death, time, rules, desires, wants and fears...everything. i question my faith and my feelings. i observe nature. mankind. i look deeper into the music i listen to, music has always been sacred and inspiring to me. i sometimes silence my inner voice and just listen to the music.
i write my ideas on my sketchbook or write/draw there.

since you seem to be an external or maybe an energetic person, you should try to let it go, have time with the people that seem to give some kind of energy to you or make you feel better. go to gigs. socialize. if you have a friend that does compose etc. go share your ideas with him/her, and try to learn something from him. you can learn something from anyone. you may be experiencing a period where you feel worthless therefore u may be underestimating your work.
also see if there's anything that you seem to be worried about or makes you sad and try to solve them.

if you think you just can't do it, dont push yourself and give a break till you feel ready again. you re not a machine, after all ;)

Answer 4

I lay off playing for awhile (a week or two) and I go hear some live music, or at least listen to something new instead. It works every time for me.

p.s. Gee, two thumbs down already? I'm only relaying what works for me (and works very well). What I didn't say is that I play several instruments (electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, and harmonica), so when I lay off playing I usually just put that particular instrument away for awhile, although complete musical absatinence is sometimes necessary. Sometimes just switching instruments creates inspiration for me.

Answer 5

find a better fave guitar player. Slash really isnt that good. if you like metallica try to be as good as kirk hamett

Answer 6

Maybe watch YouTube videos of your favorites. Or, go outside and take a walk. Nature never fails to inspire anyone, whether they're musicians, artists, writers, etc.

If you want to write songs, go to a coffee shop and just people watch. Make up stories about people's lives.

Answer 7

Go to any bar or gig... Watch those bands... its more inspiring than to listen to a CD/Mp3...
Also, go get yourself hangout with those group who are with their guitars in their room... ull never know ull find ideas there...

Answer 8

Well, instead of trying compose and picking your brain for it, just let it come to you, eventually you will get more and more inspiration where it'll be like "Hey, I wanna write a song" then you can just write them out of no where.

Answer 9

Im thinking some good ol' fashioned shrooms to give you a new outlook on life. Open your mind.

Answer 10

Drink...lol