Writer's Block? Get some dice...

Love this guy's YouTube channel, which deals with various aspects of orchestration such as how to write for nature videos or video games. Very down-to-earth practical advice. This one stands out as being a bit more whimsical than most, but as someone who is often frozen by writer's block I appreciate the message.
 

 
 

The queen is a-mused!

Hi,
 
For me, any "writer's block" has always meant a "change" in the way I do things, and it has taken many different forms, from writing a letter, to writing a poem, to continuing another chapter on my novel ... or simply spend a few minutes having some fun at the Coffee House ... or ... I still need to do reviews on 14 films sitting on my computer!
 
"Writer's Block" is NOT a suggestion that you have no ideas, and we should STOP thinking that, but in many cases merely needs a fresh look at things, or a simple change ... that is no different than you changing your socks or t-shirt ... and you look different ... gee ... I didn't know that I looked OK on a purple shirt ... or green shirt!
 
The change in response and perspective, tends to help the so-called "writer's block" ... and we should STOP thinking that we are machines, that need an oil change or engine rebuild in order to create something.
 
Sorry Bit ... we're not mechanical, and too much of this has become so, and this guy is merely trying to break that into something different ... now go use 12 dice, instead of 6 and you might get Stravinsky!

soens
I was just babbling, of course.

Sorry, can't understand what you said.

This thread reminds me of a Big Bang Theory episode. Sheldon has a creative block in his thinking and starts doing all sorts of things get his brain working again. Very funny episode. 

And then you can use the fridge magnet ramdom word set for lyrics !
 
JR

Most composers, at least the good ones are borderline paranoid and see patterns in everything.  If a Bingo game spurs some creativity, why not?

auto_da_fe
And then you can use the fridge magnet ramdom word set for lyrics !
 
JR

That only gets us FAT! ... as in ... the fridge usually has FOOD!

jude77
I really liked this video.  This guy has a very natural ear for harmony and melody.  It was fascinating to watch him work.
 

eph221
Most composers, at least the good ones are borderline paranoid and see patterns in everything.  If a Bingo game spurs some creativity, why not?

Lastly, in the "for whatever it's worth category" the tendency to see unrelated patterns in events is called "apophenia".   Maybe you'll be a contestant and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" one day and that will be the last question.  "Now, Bitflipper, for one million dollars . . . ."

Is there a pill for that?

kennywtelejazz
After watching this video again
The real thing this fella has going on is that he knows how to superimpose hipper chord changes and cadences
(that weren't based on the chords the dice came up with ) underneath his auto generated melodies to give the simple melodies a nice solid harmonic foundation ..
 
For that to happen and sound good , you don't need dice ..you need a solid knowledge of music and music theory ...
 
Kenny

Hahaha ... debunk all them Guru's!
 
"Knowledge" (in this case creativity) is not exclusive to anyone anyway, so any person stating they can kick your butt and get you going, is like the psychic on the _________ telling you that you will meet a ___________ on the 32nd of this month!
 
Again, based on my having worked with actors, if there was one thing that helped them when I directed, was that I associated the words with movement (and other stage/film details), which helped smooth out the work, but it had a nice side effect ... it added more options and possibilities, which is not a bad thing, when you have one table and 2 chairs and only 25 square feet, if that!
 
My main issue, and sometimes talking here, after 40 years of studying and reading inner work, and processes, when something is mentioned that is easy to do, but requires "concentration", folks go right out the door and swear up and down, that I don't know music.
 
It's not about the music ... it's about YOU! And if you can not get past the same notes and create something new, maybe you need a mirror and a change of wardrobe! Go be David Watts for a day or two! Or Lola! Or Alladin Sane!  Take drugs, maybe they will help!
 
Or go talk to a person or two, that know what they are talking about and they are not slapping you with a book, or religion!
 

 
Try watching "The Tightrope" about Peter Brook and some of the actors in his school. You can do that exercise in music as well, and in fact it is done, since there is a musician doing accompaniments at the same time. It's not about what you should or should not do ... it's about ... feeling it ... living it ... and appreciating the ability to concentrate, and it will be always exciting, different and lively, because tomorrow you are not the same person, and your detailed feelings are not the same. I keep thinking that too many folks can only think of ... "song" ... and that limitation, is what is hurting the freedom of expression ... let it go ... you can trim it down later!

Moshkito
 
 
Or go talk to a person or two, that know what they are talking about
 

 
I'd agree with that....

eph221

jude77
I really liked this video.  This guy has a very natural ear for harmony and melody.  It was fascinating to watch him work.
 

eph221
Most composers, at least the good ones are borderline paranoid and see patterns in everything.  If a Bingo game spurs some creativity, why not?

Lastly, in the "for whatever it's worth category" the tendency to see unrelated patterns in events is called "apophenia".   Maybe you'll be a contestant and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" one day and that will be the last question.  "Now, Bitflipper, for one million dollars . . . ."

Is there a pill for that?

Actually, there is.  It's called "Anafranil". 

jude77
"Now, Bitflipper, for one million dollars . . . ."

I used to think I'd be good at that game, having the unfortunate tendency to store gobs of useless information in long-term memory (while immediately forgetting short-term things like why I just went into that room).
 
However, I've since realized that I'd actually suck at the Millionaire show. All they'd have to do is throw me one pop-culture question and I'd be stumped. Like "what is Paris Hilton's best-known contribution to the advancement of mankind?"

bitflipper
...
However, I've since realized that I'd actually suck at the Millionaire show. All they'd have to do is throw me one pop-culture question and I'd be stumped. Like "what is Paris Hilton's best-known contribution to the advancement of mankind?"

Bit ... that would be easy ... rich _________ (insert whatever you want here)