{"id":2079,"date":"2019-07-04T11:28:41","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T10:28:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/?p=2079"},"modified":"2020-10-04T13:39:19","modified_gmt":"2020-10-04T12:39:19","slug":"getting-rid-of-writers-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/getting-rid-of-writers-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting rid of writer\u2019s block"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Writer\u2019s block is something that effects everyone who works in a creative industry. For musicians, especially professional songwriters, writing songs on a regular basis is the foundation of their career, and serious bouts of writer\u2019s block can be particularly damaging.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As everyone knows, there aren\u2019t any guaranteed solutions for writer\u2019s block. However there are various methods to get creative juices flowing, and put pen back to paper.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Write a little every day <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Writing daily is incredibly beneficial and it is more likely that, by keeping a finger on the pulse for just a few hours every day, a musician will compose something of quality. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially true for musicians who regularly agonise over the same chord structure\/lyrical phrase for weeks on end, never to finish. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writer\u2019s block is a bourgeois luxury<\/p>John Darnielle, The Mountain Goats<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is important to remember that, as a writer, work can always be recycled and rewritten. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst on some days the material written may not be up to scratch, it may provide inspiration for new compositions in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing daily also enables musicians to try composing in different styles and genres. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no rule that says you have to get everything done on one day. A bridge here, a chorus there, and soon you’ll have the bones of a full composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the “Morning Pages” technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Particularly handy for lyricists, morning pages is a technique often used by all sorts of creative writers, from novelists to screen play writers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It basically involves complete free writing – getting whatever is in your head down onto the page, no matter how ridiculous it is, first thing in the morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you might get just one usable sentence from two sides of A4, it is often still worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it’s a new word doc, or physically putting pen to paper, many creative writers swear by this technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for a walk<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By taking in some fresh air, enjoying new surroundings and relaxing, many musicians find that songs simply begin to naturally take shape. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lyrical snippets may stand out or a hook may begin to write itself during the walk. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Musician_walking_up_Niddry_Street_during_the_2014_Festival\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During a walk, the objective is to relax and get back to square one. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An idea may manifest itself, or it may not, but either way it\u2019s likely that once a musician goes back to the writing process, it will seem a little easier.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though musicians may force themselves to write a little every day, the key to overcoming writer\u2019s block is to not force it<\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Always keep a notebook handy<\/b> <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to technology, a notebook doesn\u2019t strictly have to mean pen and paper. It could be that a musician chooses to make notes on a smart phone, whilst also recording melodies and hooks as they are conjured up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for some handy ways to record, why not check out our Last Minute Musicians blogs on setting up a home recording studio<\/a> or the top mobile apps for musicians<\/a>.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Often it\u2019s a phrase, hook or even a single lyric that will spark a whole new song and therefore missing these golden nuggets of genius. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important things to remember when composing new music:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n