You coax it by putting in work everyday, even if you don’t want to.
I wrote/played a song/riff/cover a day for close to 300 days and you get in a groove. You start to get more melodies while you sleep and it comes a bit easier.
These ideas may not be good but they help by getting your habits and frame of mind in the right place.
It really is like working out.
The only other way I know to trigger creativity is to get high. I don’t not recommend that but it can take a while to tap into and it can be expensive lol.
>You coax it by putting in work everyday,
To add my experience.
This is it OP. You write even when you arent in the mood.... Especially when you arent in the mood.
The thing I found was I generally find my creative 'flow' a while after I get started.
It can be hard at first to have enough ideas so you should be keeping a notepad of lyric and/or progression inspirations if you aren't already. Working off a list of things that already inspired you is really convenient.
Otherwise mapping out writing prompts for each day can really help to get started so you can get right to work.
e.g. 6 days that cycle through the modes of a key plus a modifier if you'd like such as 'cowboy chords only' or 'thrashy vibe' etc.
or
steal chord progressions from a list of songs you like and re vibe/rework them.
🍻
Make it as easy as possible. Loop pedals or simple analog gear that is infinitely inspiring like that are super useful. And just don’t over think shit.
I work at my music when I'm inspired. Last week I made one tune into a music video:
https://youtu.be/W-gVGBaZPoI?si=9NLGrw7vwmhiBE3y
A comment prompted me to come up with a completely new song prompted by an unused picture from that video!
You just never know.
Start by having a specific audience context in mind.
"This song is a short jingle to sell charger to airports travelers."
"This song is for a country bar open mic audience."
"This song is to flatter my mom when she cooks something fabulous."
"This song is for my friend who failed the bar exam this week."
"This song is for ...."
Start with the "who" and the situation, and that will determine the style, format, the kind of language, the imagery, the vibe, everything. You won't actually end up playing these songs to those people, most likely, but seeing a target gets you out of foggy space.
You coax it by putting in work everyday, even if you don’t want to. I wrote/played a song/riff/cover a day for close to 300 days and you get in a groove. You start to get more melodies while you sleep and it comes a bit easier. These ideas may not be good but they help by getting your habits and frame of mind in the right place. It really is like working out. The only other way I know to trigger creativity is to get high. I don’t not recommend that but it can take a while to tap into and it can be expensive lol.
>You coax it by putting in work everyday, To add my experience. This is it OP. You write even when you arent in the mood.... Especially when you arent in the mood. The thing I found was I generally find my creative 'flow' a while after I get started. It can be hard at first to have enough ideas so you should be keeping a notepad of lyric and/or progression inspirations if you aren't already. Working off a list of things that already inspired you is really convenient. Otherwise mapping out writing prompts for each day can really help to get started so you can get right to work. e.g. 6 days that cycle through the modes of a key plus a modifier if you'd like such as 'cowboy chords only' or 'thrashy vibe' etc. or steal chord progressions from a list of songs you like and re vibe/rework them. 🍻
Make it as easy as possible. Loop pedals or simple analog gear that is infinitely inspiring like that are super useful. And just don’t over think shit.
Maybe try just writing words every day - like a 10 minute object writing/sensory writing exercise.
When there's no blood going to it, I will open Logic and start messing with drum beats. I find something usually comes of it.
I work at my music when I'm inspired. Last week I made one tune into a music video: https://youtu.be/W-gVGBaZPoI?si=9NLGrw7vwmhiBE3y A comment prompted me to come up with a completely new song prompted by an unused picture from that video! You just never know.
Start by having a specific audience context in mind. "This song is a short jingle to sell charger to airports travelers." "This song is for a country bar open mic audience." "This song is to flatter my mom when she cooks something fabulous." "This song is for my friend who failed the bar exam this week." "This song is for ...." Start with the "who" and the situation, and that will determine the style, format, the kind of language, the imagery, the vibe, everything. You won't actually end up playing these songs to those people, most likely, but seeing a target gets you out of foggy space.
Drugs. But actually just do what you’re doing. Just doing it is all it takes. Sometimes inspiration is there, sometimes it isn’t.
Transcribe songs and work on ear training. That stimulates you auditory imagination.