how do you do that thing that you do?

[PVFan]

Inspired by the "You guys write and compose a lot?" thread.

• Do you make up a sci-fi movie scene and imagine the score?
• Do you stare at a point in space until the drool hits your chin?
• Do you say, ooh that sounded cool, I bet it would go good with this other thing I have?
• Do you say, okay I need something in A minor and then a bridge chord containing notes from that and the following passage?
• Do you start with a chord progression and see where it takes you?
• Do you say, okay, riff A will contain these 4 notes only, riff B swaps out the minor 3rd for the tritone, the bridge will be chord names V-II-I from riff A, and the chorus and outro will use only notes that haven't been used yet?
• Do you come up with patterns?
• Do you explore modes and scales, noodling around waiting for something to bite you because then you know it will hook your audience?
• Do you think about your audience?
• Do you feel lucky, punk?
• Well, do ya?

[Aceman]

I often ask myself "What would Gilmore play?" The answer is of course "Something incredibly melodic, lyrical, tasteful and passionate." Exactly what it would be, however, I can never seem to figure out. So I just shred some pentatonics.

I will say that I feel constrained by the 12 bar form. I really like to play some longer phrases. I always seem to need a couple more measures!

[PVFan]

Sometimes I play that game, what would <guitar player I like> play for this next part?

Sometimes I know the first 3 notes, and the note on which I want to resolve, but not the33 notes in between. Or, I know I want to jump up here for a descending run of nothing but triplets that ends on a particular chord, and I fill in the whole middle part using the mode of choice, and just work it out.

Sometimes I wonder what sort of textures are missing.

Usually I reach into the bag o' riffs & licks and just start putting things together. I put the kibosh on that for the last 2 years and have just been forcing new techniques and new ways of playing on myself.

Big question, I guess.

[ex-250]

i take a shower.

im not even close to kidding. i do my best thinking in the shower, and i always come up with cool riffs and lyrics when im showering.

[Rich_T]

Lately, I have just stepped on the fuzz and let rip. That's really, really fun.

[PVFan]

Sometimes I'll just start tapping around my skull with a ballpeen hammer (not, repeat not a claw hammer) until I start hearing the music.

[ginormous]

i take a shower.

im not even close to kidding. i do my best thinking in the shower, and i always come up with cool riffs and lyrics when im showering.

+1. Some of my best tunes have come to me that way.

[PVFan]

Yeah the shower works.

I pat my tummy and chest a lot like Bobby McFerrin and imagine the guitar parts.

Wet tummy slaps in the shower sounds kinda like a snare. Chest is the kick drum. Elbows against the shower walls are the tom-toms. Never mind what I do with the mic stand.