song writing rut

[metalmachine]

any of you ever get stuck in a rut where everything you write either sucks or sounds like the same rehashed crap you have played the last few years.
anybody got any tips to get around it.

[JOLLY]

I've been stuck in it for years.

[DankStar]

I combat those by:

1) attempting to write the simplest song ever, just to keep writing/recording. like 2-3 riffs, one time signature. just in and out. amazingly, through this process, a halfway decent song emerges (which is often not as simple-sounding as it was to make up). sometimes, though just programming drums or the recording process you'll realize you've got more ideas floating around than you initially thought.

2) completely throw the "is this a stolen riff?" idea out the window. all riffs are sorta borrowed from other tunes, genres, stuff we hear just walking around every day. the way we present them are vastly different. I've got a ton of riffs in different songs that sorta sound similar - I just chalk it up to that's my style yo!

good luck!

[Surgeon]

Yeah, I try to take a few days (sometimes even a week) away from the guitar... think about/do other things.

Also, I just try to play completely different styles as well (I write mostly for my acoustic solo project, when I get stuck, I crank metal or hardcore and learn songs from different bands... just to get back to the "fun" part of playing).

It comes and goes and is totally normal... trying to force writing will, in my experience, yeild disastrous results.

[bobtrack]

I just force myself to keep writing, usually the "forced" songs aren't that great but they'll have a few good parts and I"ll eventually use them in future songs.

[metalmachine]

yea good to know i am not alone i decided to learn some cover thatare fun for me to play and lay off the writing. usually just jaming is what brings out my best riffs anyways

[misterwhizzy]

I actually screwed up a piece from a song I've worked on for months and months, and it added a whole new feel to the song. I don't know how that helps, because I've got the same problem. Really, it's about coming up with the riff without a guitar in your hand, I think. Then, you put notes to that tune in your head.

[Bass_Medic_05]

Hmmmmm......get drunk and loose your job and wife & kids and then starting writing the blues........lol

kidding of course........

[80's_Metal]

get inspired....
be it a new girl,
trying on a new identity,
and alcohol usually works.... try a different brand!

[metalmachine]

hmmm i like that last thought

[butnut]

Gonna work on my first one right now....played a simple riff that the band really liked. My issue is I'd like it to be a much faster beat, but it seems to be only working as a slow/med song.

[Bass_Medic_05]

Sometimes doing nothing for a while, and getting in tune to your surrounding can help. possibly some thinking about life experiences or friends experiences. Taking a break and leting it come to you might be the trick!

[TheLivingDead]

My remedy... Play way outside with a genre or style you're not completely comfortable with. Find some backing tracks on youtube and just jam out for a few hours.

Then go back to your style and behold! Walls be gone.

Works for me anyways.

[innerdreamrecords.co]

I like to write from the bass up, it establishes the chord progression which to me is the most important thing after the vocal melody.

[ehdwuld]

get inspired....
be it a new girl,
trying on a new identity,
and alcohol usually works.... try a different brand!

worked for Bowie
+1
try writing in drag



naw really
write down your most inane thoughts in prose

every four or five stressed syllables add a comma

this develops the necessary "Iambic Pentameter"

or if its the notes that elude you

try playing in a different time

5/8 or 7/8

over lay a 5/8 time over a 4/4 bit ( thats what the Jazzers do )

[breakdanceattiffanys]

any of you ever get stuck in a rut where everything you write sucks?

See, I could have chimed in on this had you worded your question this way. It's the same rut I've been in since I started playing guitar.