Overcoming Composer's Block

 

Writing music can be a challenging process for any composer. Especially when you consider the amount of time and effort that is required to create a piece of music.

Musicians, songwriters, arrangers, producers, or anything in between, have undoubtedly experienced times when they were stuck, unable to produce, and hated everything they did. In many cases, these periods of stagnation are referred to as "writer's block"; however, writer's block doesn't exist in reality. The real problem is procrastination and fear.

If you are having trouble creating, these are the areas you can focus on that will get you back into the groove.

In this article, Canadian music composer Andrew Huggett is going to discuss how you can get back into the groove so that you can finish your composition before deadline.

 

Limit Your Options

Many people find the idea of infinite possibilities to be terrifying! An overload of information causes us to feel overwhelmed by too many options. According to a commonly shared study, less choices result in greater forward momentum for jam sales. Composing music is about making choices.  Andrew Huggett suggests making early choices, starting with overall concepts and moving closer and closer to details.

 

Change your environment and routine

Make a regular practice of changing your environment and routine. One of the best ways to overcome a creative block for music composing is to experiment with different composing styles. If you are used to writing in a specific way, try changing your routine and seeing what happens. Some composers find it helpful to write in a specific time zone so that they can switch between two different writing styles and approach different types of material.

Some composers find it helpful to record themselves as they compose. This can be a great way to hear yourself think as you create. It can also be helpful to write out a piece of music while you are listening to it. If you find it difficult to write while listening to a piece of music, write it out the first time you hear it. This will force you to pay attention to what is happening in your head and you will notice how it relates to the music.

 

Take Breaks

When you are stuck on a piece of music and you feel like you cannot go on, try taking breaks. This is the perfect time to clear your mind, refocus, and try again with a new idea. If you are really stuck and you are really worried that you will never get it right, try changing things up. If you find it difficult to take breaks and you are stuck for hours or days, try to define your problem areas so that you can tackle them head-on. You can also try writing down what emotions you are experiencing while you compose.

 

Ask for help

If you are working on a tight deadline and can't overcome your writers block with the above tips, then don't be afraid to invite a colleague to collaborate with you on your song. Choosing a co-writer is, however, a very important step. You should ensure that he or she will bring in what you feel is lacking and give your project the attention it deserves, explains award-winning musician Andrew Huggett.

 

Combine, Create, Experiment

When you are stuck on a track and you feel like you cannot move forward, try combining different techniques or creating a brand new piece of music. If you are not comfortable putting new music out into the world, try to use what you know best. This might require you to change your sound style, but it will help you progress as a composer in a way that is meaningful to you.

One final idea that Andrew Huggett believes will help you overcome your writer's block for music composing is to experiment with different notes and scales. You can try altering the key of a composition, the dynamics, or even the tempo without changing the melody at all. This can allow you to play with different techniques and build new sounds that are quite creative and challenging.

 

Conclusion

In order to overcome a creative block, you must approach it with an open mind. Try to look at it as an opportunity to grow as a composer and make new music. Get out of your shelf and allow your creativity to flow. If you feel stuck on a certain track, try changing keys, dynamics, or even the tempo. There might be a solution to your problem that you just haven't found yet.