Oni-91 Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 For about a year, I have been trying extremely hard to create a VG remix. Only problem is that I have the mother of all writer's blocks. I try something that I think is really good, only to come back to it the next day not liking it at all. I have seriously come to the end of my tether with this thing. I've tried to find inspiration in other pieces of music, but I can never seem to make new ideas from it: I just replicate them. A two-month break from music writing hasn't seemed to help either. Has anyone got any ideas for breaking my curse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fray Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Maybe you're trying to remix things you like TOO much? I say that because you mentioned that you just end up recreating. Maybe try picking a tune where you like something about it, but something else is missing or weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oni-91 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 Heh...I guess you're right. Anyway, Sod's law has dictated that I've actually stumbled across a half-decent idea this time, which I'm not going to say what it is, because it'll suck if I mess it up again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emura Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'm assuming you play an instrument? If not, try learning to play something. Piano is highly recommended if you plan on continuing writing music, though most people given the choice will pick up a guitar (it's easy to learn, but hard to master). If you already play an instrument, why not try playing in a new style? If you already play some piano or guitar, why not try playing jazz, and especially try improvising? Or, if you're more of the studious type, have a listen to some music you would normally never listen to, then study it. If you're a fan of modern pop and rock, check out music by Haydn and Mozart, for example, especially symphonies and concertos. Don't just listen, understand the form, the chord progressions, the arrangement. You might also want to listen to some John Cage-y style electronic music. Check out the collections of electronic music, particularly "An Anthology of Noise and Electronic Music," which now has 4 volumes. That kind of "music" is usually an acquired taste, but it'll get you thinking outside the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oni-91 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'm more of a rock drummer, yet I've started to take up the guitar too. For the last two years, I did a GCSE in Music. Listening and appraisal was a big part of that, with the final exam being based on that and worth 40% of the final marks. I ended up with a very high A (1-2% off an A*), but my main downfall was in composing. I made three compositions, a remix of Pretty Fly for a White Guy, a drum rondo and a minimalist piece for guitar, piano and drum kit. I got consistent marks in all of these (about 23/30, with the A* threshold at around 27.) So, I have the ability to make music, but I just need a drive. Also, I think one of my main weak points is writing a decent melody, which is natural for someone whose first instrument was the drum kit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fray Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Heh, I have the opposite problem. I can come up with lots of melodies, but when it comes time to do the percussion it's really hard to come up with anything decent. The little bit of time I've spent learning to play the bodhran has helped though, so I think you're probably on the right track learning that there git-tar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oni-91 Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 Damn, we should collab or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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