How do you get into your creative mind and what is your writing process?

[Mikael Dez]

I do.

I think he definitely wouldn’t approve of your vibe, given what I’ve read about him at least (and of you!!). So nah, you don’t deserve him

 

[EOengineer]

Most of my ideas start as an iOS voice memo. I’ll periodically prune those and offload anything I think might have potential into a folder that I maintain and it acts as my idea pool anytime I need a part. I also have that folder shared with my vocalist, who will periodically shoot me a version of some riff with a vocal melody, and then things are really off to the races.

Software instruments have also been helpful in communicating guidance to other band members if I’m hearing a particular drum feel, or something needs to be in halftime, or whatever.

There isn’t much I enjoy more than finishing a tune I’m proud of.

 

[PLX]

I always start with a drum beat, then compose a riff off that beat.

Try to write an A part and a B part, so there's some movement.

 

[TSJMajesty]

I don't write any more, what with my focus being on becoming a better player for now, but when I did, I needed a collaborative environment.

We had a creative drummer, who would jump on his kit and start banging out a beat while we were tuning up, and a song would evolve as we joined in with him.

Or just having someone else to help out when I'd get stumped with having a place to take the riff I just came up with.

I'm just not a very creative person, unless I have others working it out with me.

And lyrics? Forget about it. I write like a 4th-grader.

But I have had some opportunities to "produce" others' material, and have gotten compliments with what I came up with, so I think I'd be good at that, if I ever came across additional opportunities to do that sort of thing.

 

[Jazz Padd]

Never had a knack for writing and recording original music, but I enjoy evoking creativity in the context of spontaneous musicking in the company of others. I participate in open jazz jams several times a month at various venues. There’s something about those old jazz standards that sparks creativity, maybe the process of navigating new pathways through their interesting, yet challenging, chord progressions. It’s a very satisfying experience, at the same time ephemeral.

Maybe that’s what gets me into a creative mind. Collective musicking, in the context of semi-structured improvisation, without a need to create something for posterity. It’s the joy of being in the moment temporarily, then letting it drift away, awaiting the next.

 

[JasonE]

There used to be a couple of pretty decent jam nights near me. COVID took them down. I don't think there are any jams around me now that are within an hour drive. Some of the jams were really fun.

 

[maddnotez]

Pro tip. Get your audio desk set up. Connect the interface, make sure everything is working. Get those monitors cooking......then.....turn everything off, turn on your tube amp and rock out.

 

[maddnotez]

I say it in a joking manner cuz im a docuhe but...real.

I use tonex to record, I've used the AX8 as well and had a Kemper. To each their own but for me digital is not inspiring. I robot times we are living in and im yelling at clouds.

For me nothing feels like a tube amp and a 4x12. That in itself can be inspiring after months of using digital gear or my cute little 1x12 Katana which sounds great BTW.

I guess the point is play in YOUR environment. If you grew up with a straw hat in the sun on a water logged porch that needs some paint, grab your acoustic guitar and play your soul out.

For me its a 4x12 in my face.

I definitely get blocks too, don't get me wrong. One thing I've started to do that has been working out extremely well....also something ive been against my entire life until last year is to use your favorite guitarists for inspiration.

I used to think nope, youre a copycat. Music must come naturally from within and there is no other alternative. But these days what ive started to do is learn my favorite riff and dissect it. See the notes they are using and the patterns, then use those same notes and patterns but change it up, make it your own. Since doing that i have been coming up with the best music I ever have in my life and it doesn't sound like a complete ripoff because I've changed it so much. Its just notes, scales serve a purpose and a mood, everyone uses the same notes it's just how we use those notes that separates us.

I suck at explaining things but could show a couple of examples if needed.

 

[JasonE]

I say it in a joking manner cuz im a docuhe but...real.

I use tonex to record, I've used the AX8 as well and had a Kemper. To each their own but for me digital is not inspiring. I robot times we are living in and im yelling at clouds.

For me nothing feels like a tube amp and a 4x12. That in itself can be inspiring after months of using digital gear or my cute little 1x12 Katana which sounds great BTW.

I guess the point is play in YOUR environment. If you grew up with a straw hat in the sun on a water logged porch that needs some paint, grab your acoustic guitar and play your soul out.

For me its a 4x12 in my face.

I definitely get blocks too, don't get me wrong. One thing I've started to do that has been working out extremely well....also something ive been against my entire life until last year is to use your favorite guitarists for inspiration.

I used to think nope, youre a copycat. Music must come naturally from within and there is no other alternative. But these days what ive started to do is learn my favorite riff and dissect it. See the notes they are using and the patterns, then use those same notes and patterns but change it up, make it your own. Since doing that i have been coming up with the best music I ever have in my life and it doesn't sound like a complete ripoff because I've changed it so much. Its just notes, scales serve a purpose and a mood, everyone uses the same notes it's just how we use those notes that separates us.

I suck at explaining things but could show a couple of examples if needed.

I think you explained that just fine. I am definitely a tube amp guy. I have a few of the digital devices as well. I can get along with them okay but they all are missing something for me. Where I really notice it is how they respond to the volume knob on my guitar. The amps are much more responsive to me. I can alter my tone with just changing my attack on the strings. The digital devices don't respond as easily. It takes much more volume reduction to get to the tone I am trying to get to. But, for playing into my recording computer I do like the digital devices.

I just got my new Mac. Man did that hurt the wallet. I am hoping I get 10 years out of this one like did the one I am replacing. I pushed the specs up on it a bit, which is why it was outrageously expensive. I am hoping that with the higher hardware it will make it last me longer. I started installing all of the software on it. I need to rearrange my whole recording desk for it because it is a different type of machine than the one I was using. This is going to derail me for a little bit.

 

[ian_dissonance]

I get rhythmic ideas all the time away from any music equipment so I’ll try to tap them out for later and then bring that stuff in when I’m sitting down to make noise. I like to give myself “drills” when I don’t have any new ideas, too. Like make myself write something that is in 9/8, or make myself write something that only uses X number of notes, or write something that omits X scale intervals just to stay away from repeating myself too much. A lot of times these exercises will lead to something that I want to expand on.

That or get hella baked on some Moon Rocks and watch shitty sci-fi and noodle.