I write songs for two different bands, both of which are fairly prolific. This tends to cause a sense of urgency when it comes to writing new songs. And an even greater urgency comes about when time passes ........ without a new song having been written.

One thing I do to alleviate the fears is to remember how easily they CAN come. Sometimes I can pick up a guitar and one or or a few songs just seem to pop out on their own. Keeping this in mind will usually keep me from getting too worked up over a dry spell.

It will help to keep in mind that if you let yourself worry too much about a dry spell, it will decrease your creativity and will most times make the situation worse. Try to keep a level head and just let it flow.

Some songwriters hear the music in their head and then they put it down on their instruments to make it a more tangible object. And sometimes, just like a novelist, the ideas do not flow around in their head for a period of time. This is a good time for that type of songwriter to simply pick up a guitar (or their instrument of choice) and let their fingers run free. Their ears may pick up something that sparks their natural writing insinct again.

Many songwriters' best tool in this situation is patience. They say that patience is a virtue and for those of us in a writing slump, it can be our best friend. A cool head and calm nerves can allow your natural writing ability to come out.

Just keep in mind that before too long you will most likely have a stretch where you will write a handful of songs in a very short time so there is less pressure to write one (or more) at the time.

Your problem may not be a block. It could just be more stress than you are normally under. When the pressure reduces itself, you should be back to your normal songwriting self.

I'll be back with steps to help alleviate blocks if you do, in fact, determine that you are suffering from a full-fledged block.

Good luck!

inspiration often comes while you are away from your instrument. A change of scenery can be the stimulation you need to inspire your muse.

I'm an hip hop artist and as a emcee writing is vital. When faced with a writers block I just try to work through it. Sometimes I change the instrumental or topic I'm using. I just let my heart work because once one comes from the heart one will stop over-thinking a song and it will just flow out.

yeh this is true ... but me(hiphophead) usually If I'm not in the mood I just won't do it .. but really I think sometimes the problem is trying too hard, trying to get to creative and when something SPECTACULAR doesn't come to mind it just depresses you and keeps you from just going...

what I do is just write whatever and fix it later and sometimes I'll hit a rhyme scheme that just brings up everything, so sometimes it's good to just keep composing even if it's not up to par... sooner or later that stroke of genius will hit

btw ... check my site

KOzS.dmusic.com
( shameless self promoter )

I know that on several occasions I've gone back and changed something that I've written during a "block" because of a 'stroke of genius' at a later date. I like to try to write something even when blocked in an attempt to make myself atleast feel that I've gotten something done. But I usually want let anyone hear it at that point. And then out-of-the-blue something good hits me to replace the original with and it turns out decently.

^^ the whole "i strike oil of ideas at a later date" causes me to have over 10 unfinish lyrics, songs, verses and the such. they're still waiting for new ideas to rejuvenate them but after prolong exposure to time some projects get thrown out the window....nawmean?

basically....if u got a couple of great ideas...try not to wait so long where one day you'll stop feelin it and discard it.

I try to put musical phrases down (tape, computer or just chart)the minute they occur because they vanish quickly, then they're lost forever. Writer's block is a very real thing. When I have not got any ideas, I listen to a few I've recorded at an earlier time, and they usually fire the creative juices enough to get me in the mood. Once through the first hour or so the creativity returns.I also take a short walk or drive and plan my day, and tell myself that 'today I am going to do this and that and not be interrupted by phone calls or visitors, unless they add to the creative process, which they can do occasionally. Sometimes one person listening can make you play better, like having an audience, as long as they don't talk too much. I've actually recorded people who rave on and on and used their stories in songs too!... I 've got one friend I did this too and he likes the way I used his voice now although horrified to begin with.

I'm currently in a student house, and when ever I leave town and go home to visit my folks, I run completely out of ideas. And sometimes, I get tons of inspiration from being at home due to the massive steelworks a mile behind my house, then go back to my student house and once again have no ideas...How very strange.

I used to work in a factory, and I did what JCASTELLAIN says above; I'd note down a rhythm gleaned from listening to the machines as soon as I had it, otherwise come the morning it'd be gone...I hate writers block. That makes me sad.

xxxxxx CDB