Have you ever found yourself in this situation?
Someone asks you to play something “creative,” and you freeze.
You gravitate to one or two “go-to” ideas—which isn’t technically creative since we’re repeating ourselves.
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When put on the spot, we try to be imaginative, waiting for inspiration to strike, as if it would come from the universe based on our magical ability.
This often coincides with a self-punishing instinct to equate our musical ability with creativity.
everyone is born creative.
Musical skill is not an indicator of creativity.
People with more training often feel insecure about their “creative ability,” fearing judgment from others if they don’t showcase impressive musical creativity.
But that’s not how creativity usually works, and this misunderstanding can make it even more frustrating when we’re blocked, leading us to believe there’s something wrong with us.
My student asked me to help her add ideas to a song recording
I helped her add harmonies, pads, and textures by giving her structures to “fill in the blanks.” She responded, “I only ever hear a couple of ideas. How do you come up with so many different ideas quickly?”
the lesson
Instead of relying 100% on feeling or hearing creative ideas, first tap into the brain. This will make it easier to open up your heart and ears.
Instead of asking yourself, “What do I hear?” or “What do I imagine?” shift out of your body and identify higher-level structures to use as prompts.
For example, if someone asks you to draw something, you might immediately picture a cat or a tree. But many ideas will emerge if you broaden your perspective to include other categories—like landscapes, buildings, or geometric shapes.
The same applies to creating music.
Learn to play anything anytime and improvise regardless of your musical background.
Read part two in the series (How to never run out of musical ideas).
