Major songwriting block

[Jeff]

For the past few months, I've been in a major songwriting block...I just can't break free from the cd's and music I listen to. Every time I try to sit down and write something, I can't write anything but something I heard on the radio, on a cd, or some other place. Is there any way to free myself from this stuff? I used to be able to write decent, but I just can't do it anymore.

[Champagne Mist]

Listen to different styles. Like Jazz, R & B, and pay attention to the details of the song. I find this helps a lot-- i try to mimic a jazz song but adapt it to the style of music i play. This has helped me several times.

Good luck!!!

[mercjoe]

I get this too. I have found that if I listen to a style of music that I am unlikely to normally listen to that I do make connections back to my own songwriting style. I also listen to various types of classical music to get the same fix. Get yourself a copy if you don't already have it of Vai's "Martian Love Secrets" I think I found them on the internet somewhere and can get you links or e-mail the documents to you if you have trouble. It is a good manuscript for fueling creativity for any style of music. E-mail me if you need help finding that, Jim

[Ancestor]

Everyone has influences. That is something you won't escape. But, you can control those influences by selecting what you put into your brain. Sometimes putting the guitar down for a day or two helps me come up with fresh ideas, but it's hard to do!