Author Topic: External Inspiration to Create Good Music  (Read 8266 times)

mrotsdnaS - eduraD

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External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« on: April 01, 2016, 08:17:31 pm »
Hey everyone, Just a few thoughts here. A lot of people use music to inspire their songwriting/production, but what about non musical influence? How often have you taken a long walk in nature, had a memorable night out with friends, (Dare I say) had some really great sex, played a really interesting - fun or thought provoking video game... literally anything that doesn't directly relate to music, and then just felt completely inspired by your experience to make music?

I bring this up because at times I'll go through phases where the only thing on my mind is music. I'll be so driven to write that its painful to step away from listening to and writing music and just experience life. It almost consumes you sometimes, and you forget what its like to get out and enjoy the world. As soon as I step outside of that lonely, mental box and actually live a bit, ideas come naturally. They just appear in my head without having to think very hard about them and it fills me with so much inspiration to make good music without having to force it out. Does anybody else feel the same sometimes?

Marrow Machines

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2016, 12:15:25 am »
yea, you can't be so focused on the job and neglect the things around you.

Your mind needs time to process the information in order to evaluate what to have happen next.

I've gotten to a point where I can control my sessions pretty well. I don't really force myself to write any thing down, and i am pretty confident as to what i am putting down. Especially when it comes to the sound design process.

But, i try to make sure i block off some of the more technical things that i can do for a while and the more creative side of things that really drain my mental energy. I try not to combine the two, but some times you have to use both in order to get the result.

Don't be so attached, just be there and understand what your body is saying to you. Don't forget to hydrate and eat!
« Last Edit: April 04, 2016, 08:04:52 pm by Marrow Machines »
Josh Huval: Honestly, the guys who are making good art are spending their time making it.

Lydian

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2016, 04:49:36 am »
The closest I ever get to external inspiration when it comes to writing music is looking at pictures. I have a folder filled with beautiful art that I'll occasionally write to. Aside from that, writing music is a very mechanical process for me. I don't wait to get inspired by external things really. Very rarely do I get things that just appear in my head. I've always liked to compare it to building a puzzle but instead of just putting pieces together I'm creating them as well.

I find that external inspiration has much more of a tendency to creep into my lyrics which is something that bugs the hell out of me tbh.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2016, 04:54:20 am by Lydian »
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alanisnotcool

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2016, 07:28:36 am »
Participating in the world and going through different experiences definitely make for good creative inspiration when I finally come home and sit down to my DAW.  Hangin out with friends, going on a hike, going out to eat, even waking up and Adulting (yes thats a verb) keeps you out of your head and your thoughts so when you produce, everything is more free-flowing.  I've noticed this too.

Thankfully there is plenty of internal inspiration as well that I can rely on, for the days when I decide to become a recluse and avoid humans totally, except my GF for which I cant seem to find the off for button sometimes. (she would totally punch me in the throat for saying that  ;D)

Also like Lydian said, pictures are good for inspiring.  Sometimes ill type in "beautiful scenery" in google images and choose my favorite one and try to paint the same picture onto my DAW.  Even if you dont accurately transfer the feelings, you will still come up with something awesome, and your own.

Marrow Machines

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2016, 08:06:27 pm »
Even if you dont accurately transfer the feelings, you will still come up with something awesome, and your own.

Very important.
Josh Huval: Honestly, the guys who are making good art are spending their time making it.

mrotsdnaS - eduraD

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2016, 11:11:19 pm »

Thankfully there is plenty of internal inspiration as well that I can rely on, for the days when I decide to become a recluse and avoid humans totally, except my GF for which I cant seem to find the off for button sometimes. (she would totally punch me in the throat for saying that  ;D)


lmao, totally sympathize with you on that one! (Especially the throat punching, they're crazy man!  :-X)

Amrith

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2016, 08:14:09 am »
Finding a way into a deep emotional state seems to inspire me the most. I had written a little violin riff one morning that didn't have much direction to it. That night around 12 I had just finished the season 2 finale of Rick and Morty. The (for lack of a better term) falling apart that resulted from it was enough of a push for me to develop a track. It's taken about 7-8 months to finish, but I'm happy with it.  :)
Some emo kid couldn't start a band, so he picked up a computer instead. That's going pretty well.

FarleyCZ

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Re: External Inspiration to Create Good Music
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2016, 08:09:00 pm »
For different reasons I realized in last few days I have a massive problem with this. The trouble is, when you've ignored rest of the life for so long, it's kinda hard and socially awkward to start.
"Earth is round right? Look at it from right angle and you'll be always on top of the world."
...but don't overdo it, because that's called being a d***k.