How do you stay creative?

[drdoom8793]

The bullseye keeps changing. As I type this, the classic rock station for Baltimore is playing Pear Jam Evenflow.

I dig it, but I'm like, "Whaaaaat?"

Yeah, our classic rock station in Charlotte plays some RHCP, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. Makes ya feel old.

 

[László]

To me Coldplay "apes" music.

That's fine. I'm not saying anyone should like Coldplay. One of your points was that traditionally instrumented music is not popular any more.

I used Coldplay as an example that proves that's simply not true.

It really, really doesn't matter if you like Coldplay or not, and has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make.

But here's the good news for Coldplay - they have millions of people listening to their music, because they went ahead and got inspired enough to record it.

They don't seem to care that not everyone in the world loves their work. They realize that they'll have fans, and they'll have haters, and everything in between. But they make the recordings and release them regardless.

You won't know if that's possible with your music until you record yours and try to get it out there. Just do the best stuff you're capable of, and see what happens! If it sells, so much the better! If not, at least you'll have something you're proud of, something that you can point to and say, "I did that."

And if your work sells, then lots of people will like it, and you'll have your very own haters to contend with. Because there's always someone willing to say, "So and so sucks!"

I'm sure a lot of people hate my music when it comes on in a TV ad. I'm good with that. The checks still get cashed.

 

[CVS]

Meanwhile - Back to the original topic of this thread. When I need motivation, I go to the gym, put headphones on while working out and listen (deeply) to music (any type of music that I like - Blues, Classic Rock, Latin, Smooth Jazz). Usually after listening to 20 or so songs at the gym, I can find something I am willing to learn or create a backing track to play over. Right now I am thinking about Hewie Lewis - Heart & Soul (hearing those 6th chords and that funky strum have inspired me).

 

[The Fight]

Meanwhile - Back to the original topic of this thread. When I need motivation, I go to the gym, put headphones on while working out and listen (deeply) to music (any type of music that I like - Blues, Classic Rock, Latin, Smooth Jazz). Usually after listening to 20 or so songs at the gym, I can find something I am willing to learn or create a backing track to play over. Right now I am thinking about Hewie Lewis - Heart & Soul (hearing those 6th chords and that funky strum have inspired me).

That's an awesome song!

 

[musicmason]

Sometimes, (among other great ideas already brought up on this thread) I will go to the local music store and instead of subconsciously gravitating to the equipment I normally try, I make a conscious decision to play on gear I hardly ever notice. Be it effects, amps or guitars; I try to play in the style I think the gear is mostly intended for and not what I would usually bang out. This can lead to me discovering some cool new phrasing or chordal variances that I will then continue with at home, even prompting me to research some new artists and playing styles.

 

[solacematt]

Anyone else get inspired while driving, turn the voice recorder on on their phone and hum or whatever the idea and then get home, listen to it and ask yourself
1. ....was I drinking?
2. ...wtf was I thinking!
3. ...wtf was I drinking!?!