Just like any other creative person every now and then I’m prone to having a complete shut down of ideas, more often than I would like to admit I’ve searched for how to overcome writer’s block just like you are right now! (or maybe I’ve roped you in through Facebook)
Let’s face it the internet holds the answer to everything right ‘bollocks’! it’s the same old generic bullshit you see everywhere that writers recycle just to get more hits to their sites, how do I know? that’s partly what I’m doing to you right now but there is a legit reason I’m bothering to write this.
I used to experience writer’s block a lot and depending, on how often it happens and how you deal with it the experience can get really depressing.
When I was a kid I used to go through writer’s block at least once a week and continuously thought maybe I’m just not good enough to make a career out of music.
Eventually, my confidence grew and despite any bad wrap I was getting I found a way to push through it.
Now, some the answers you see floating around the web like ‘take a walk’ do help but I’ve discovered that over the years the answer when it comes to making music for me is adjusting my approach and changing the way I think about it.
I’m not saying I’ve made a great discovery and found the solution for exactly how to overcome writer’s block but whenever I feel myself falling back into old habits there are a few things I do to remind myself I need to change what I’m doing and keep the times I stare at a blank Logic session to a minimum. So let’s get started.
How to Get-Over Producers Block, The Bullsh*t Free Guide
1. Don’t make it so complicated
This is just a matter of realisation, for years I thought every one of my projects had to have 200+ tracks in for it to be considered a professional production, always remember that a good production is a lot of different things to a lot of different people as much as you might want to make the most production-heavy song around that doesn’t mean it’s good.
Still today I find myself sometimes saying “but there’s not enough going on” that’s the moment I slap myself and say “don’t be a twat, it’s fine”
Remember some of the most loved music in the world is simple. Every session doesn’t have to look like this.
Strip things back every now and then, be less techy and just focus on writing a damn groove.
2. Collaborate!
I started out making music in my friend’s bedroom with a beatbox, PlayStation mic and a tape recorder, today I consider that setting to be one of the fondest memories I have.
As a musician and producer it’s natural that your friends are bound to do the same as you, so whenever I feel stuck in a rut I jump back into that setting and collaborate with friends which does more than spark some much-needed inspiration it takes me back to the early days and reminds me exactly why I started this journey in the first place.
And it’s what me and my friends class as a ‘lads night’ so we get shitfaced to.
3. Do nothing!
I can imagine this will be the most confusing one out all three.
When your stuck trying to figure out how to overcome writer’s block or producers block (that’s probably more accurate)
Power down your studio!
Grab some tins of brew from the off license!
Put your feet up and switch on game of thrones! (or whatever’s trending at the minute)
If that doesn’t help take the missus out, for me music is all about life and experiencing new things if you’re always in the studio you’ll only make it harder for yourself to get inspired.
Take a step out the front door and look up! That’s the sun! normal people go out during the day, but your not normal you’re a producer so you’ve been pretty much f*cked from the start.
With 17 Years music production experience, George Matthews is the CEO of Your Local Musician, he also makes music under the name Grimmm and releases Lo-fi music.
