Time to bring in one or more collaborators or guest artists. Set your own stuff aside and spend some time trying to make somebody else sound good. I find that process to be creatively rejuvenating.

bitflipper
Time to bring in one or more collaborators or guest artists. Set your own stuff aside and spend some time trying to make somebody else sound good. I find that process to be creatively rejuvenating.

But if it was me, you'd say.... "that was no fun".

I sure agree that setting it aside can have benefits.
 
After many years of band, school and just living guitar I quit. ( last day of '85)
I didn't play again for around 10+ years. When I started again I swear my hearing
had improved. I don't mean physically but mentally. I was more "tuned-in". I guess
I had focused more as a listener than a player for those years...not sure but welcomed
the improvement. You just never know why things happen the way they do but after
58 years I know for a fact and without doubt...no matter how bad it seems there is a good side.
 
 

bapu

bitflipperTime to bring in one or more collaborators or guest artists. Set your own stuff aside and spend some time trying to make somebody else sound good. I find that process to be creatively rejuvenating.

But if it was me, you'd say.... "that was no fun".

@bapu - thanks for that tidbit. I will remember that when using bit's advise on creative rejuvenation.
And Dave that IS good advise. There is this young guy here in town that has been texting me wanting to jam and just talk music. I put his demo together for him to get into music school out in California.
He is an amazing guitar player. I think maybe a few lessons and some jamming might be just the catalyst I need.

@spacey - I dig the positive attitude man. Thanks.

@LInear Phase - I totally agree with you about things being there for a reason.
I've been telling myself the same thing.
Enlightenment is often born from darkness.
Ok that's kind of heavy but you know what I mean, yes?

I am also thinking that I should work on posting one of my songs on the forum.
Get some feedback that perhaps will still further motivation.
That is actually rather frightening to me.

Dave

Kind of a personal question, but are you growing or helping someone else grow? When is the last time you've learned something new in your studio/music? New instrument, song, style and genre can really open things back up. Teaching does it as well as you're going back to the basics and rediscovering things. Never stop learning and growing. You'll find it takes care of a lot of these inspiration things.

IK Obi
Kind of a personal question, but are you growing or helping someone else grow? When is the last time you've learned something new in your studio/music? New instrument, song, style and genre can really open things back up. Teaching does it as well as you're going back to the basics and rediscovering things. Never stop learning and growing. You'll find it takes care of a lot of these inspiration things.

I think the only growing I am doing is older Obi....
Very good points tho.
R U T
That would be my current location.
Thx for the tips.

 
Remember, even if you're in a rut you can still go in three directions.
 
(Of course, it's another story if you're in a hole...  )

So Craig, is the depth of a rut inversely proportional to its width?
Or does it just depend on how long your legs are?

mmmmm...a "spring" to his step mayhaps??
 
I find that taking a few days off is always a good thing.

I don't know but it sounds like perhaps you and I are a bit alike. I have a strong tendancy to take something simple and make it much more difficult and complex than it ever should be. Like Spacey, I tried for years to get software and hardware to do things it was not capable of doing and that I did not understand how to do if it was capable. Software and hardware are SO much better these days, you no longer have to mortgage your home to be able to afford something that works... still, I have to make a concious effort to keep it simple. Most of the time I think it is really true that "less is more"... first takes usually have the most passion and I don't need all the effects and extra tracks etc that I think I do. Sometimes just a vocal and an acoustic guitar or piano track do it all.
I used to get so frustrated that I would stop, do something else for a while, forget everything I learned, then do it all over again... always frustrated.
My greatest joy in music has always been playing and singing or just playing along with some song or track. I go through times when many songs seem to come, other times the well is dry. My recording began as a way to try and capture my songs and I know exactly what you mean... it can take all the joy away from what you love.
My advice, FWIW, would be to keep it simple and stay in your comfort zone. Collaborate if you think you need to add an instrument or need help with mixing or mastering or whatever is frustrating you. Just take a deep breath, step back and take a look at the big picture again.
 
J