Guitar playing/songwriting rut

[stickman]

I'm in a super rut when it comes to guitar playing/songwriting. I can't seem to get out of this one lame style of playing. The guitar feels really constricted right now, for whatever reason. Any tips on how to get out of this rut? Don't play anything for a couple days?

[a.miller]

I got in such a bad rut I started buying all sorts of books, tapes, vocal guides, theory books....etc. This one was hands down the most helpful.

 

If you can swing a couple of serious lessons in chord theory you'll be amazed the doors that are opened. I have had the recent good fortune to begin working with a producer/keyboardist/theory wizard. You should seek out a type of instructor like this. He's pointed out some new "ways to go" with songs and how to make much better chord changes and get to chords you want to get to. He always tells me, "It's not rocket science, it's just chords." Seriously.

[GtrPlyr]

One of my favorite ways to inspire songwriting is to work in new tunings, or work with some established alternate tunings. Working in different tunings is like learning a new instrument. It can really open your eyes to new sounds and ways of constructing songs, and is a great way to break out of ruts as you can't fall back on familiar patterns and chords. Pretty much 75% of my songs start on an alternate tuned guitar.

 

Some tunings I've been writing in lately (low to high):

D G D G B D

D# G D G B D

D G D F A B

C# G# C# F# G# C#

[stickman]

I LOVE playing in alternate tunings. I usually can come up with some cool little chord progression that has a drone of open strings attached but I can never seem to make anything more out of it. I guess I should try to figure out some actual chords in the new shapes they would need. I think I'll try out some of those tunings.

 

I just went for a walk and came up with a nice set up lyrics, but I think I'm going to wait until tomorrow to pick up the guitar again. Unfortunately I definitely can't afford some lessons right now...poor college student to begin with as well as just purchasing a RAT yesterday.

 

Hopefully I can come up with a nice chord progression to go with these lyrics. Thanks for the tips!

[Golden Smoghead]

The rest of these folks are better to ask than me, since I'm basically just a hobbyist, so take this with a grain of salt. But one thing I have learned along the way is that I shouldn't throw away all the shitty little songs I come up with all the time. Basically, I'm advising you to not be as lazy as I used to be: actually take the time to write out songs if they come to you, even if they're pretty straightforward G-C-D'ers.

 

Because for me, the best way to get out of a rut is to take an unpolished song from awhile ago and just improve it slightly / try to record it / add some new parts to it. That way I'm improving technique for one of my songs, and still being creative, without all the pressure that can come with "time to write a new song."

 

For me this can include moving a song from guitar to keyboard, or acoustic to electric, or from guitar to a capella (haven't tried that one in awhile though!). I know it's tough when you are in college and in a lot of different environments all the time, but it has helped me a lot to try to be disciplined and write all my songs in one notebook at a time. I switch up that format, but I generally end up going to Staples to hunt down larger-than-a-school-notebook unlined pages that are bound in a way that looks solid. Part of that is because I have to tab out any solos I want to write out and need the extra room (I don't know how to put guitar music on a staff). Another part is that I find that the loose-leaf bound notebooks either don't have enough lines per page -- BOO for turning in the middle of a song!! -- or if they do, the lines seem really tiny, and I for one end up rewriting a LOT of the lyrics in my songs. So I need the room is what I am saying.

 

Uh, didn't mean to ramble about notebooks. I think the other advice is very good too. I think honestly it's kinda, "whatever works for you" -- but notice that everything said so far has a common theme of sticking with it. It CAN help to take off some time every now and then, but that's to be done with care. I almost got myself forever out of writing and playing by taking too long of a break one time (a year). That's why for me, I can just play old songs or coversongs for a week or two and it seems like I took a break, but I didn't lose my chops or feel like I wasted time. I feel like, if you can find a way to play but notch down the stress, have fun, feel OK... You're on the right track. The new horizons will probably just show themselves in time.

[oceanman]

As far as writing goes, I have been bringing my songs to other people(one's that I trust and admire) to shed some light or basicly tear me down to feeling like complete shit. This might sound a bit off the wall but when someone you really trust can give it to you straight forward and not blow smoke up your ass, it in the long run will help. I have found that my songs are transforming into real musical pieces and not just chord patterns with words. As far as writing goes, my buddy has tapped me into parts of my subconscious that I thought I would never dwell into. My gf is backing me up as I explained to her the rut I was in and how my buddy tapped me into a part of my life I let go of years ago. One song inpitictular mind fucked me for weeks, and after one conversation and help from a friend I wrote the song in under five minutes. Not that you need a writing partner, but when your both pushing each other in a positive direction, I say go for it. We are also here for you to, as Smoghead has done......putting his song on VC for us to pick apart was a noble thing, and what he took from it and still is, is no gain w/out a loss. I will be putting my summer studio tracks up here in the next two months and I wan't you mother fuckers to rip me a new one!

 

 

Something else a friend of a friend is doing is (Song Of The Week)online, which we could do here. Each of take turns every week and see what happens. Here's how it goes..............first poster(style of song,genre, and chords used.G,C,D,ect)........second poster(intent of message or idea or story).....third poster(his/hers take on the subject and direction)............and so on.

 

This would be more of a learning aid and a hell of alot of fun. Keep it simple at fisrt with chord structures and blast ideas off each other! Who knows, some real jems could come from this. Maybe even make a VC comp, split!

 

The rest of these folks are better to ask than me,(NOT TRUE) since I'm basically just a hobbyist, so take this with a grain of salt. But one thing I have learned along the way is that I shouldn't throw away all the shitty little songs I come up with all the time. Basically, I'm advising you to not be as lazy as I used to be: actually take the time to write out songs if they come to you, even if they're pretty straightforward G-C-D'ers.

 

Because for me, the best way to get out of a rut is to take an unpolished song from awhile ago and just improve it slightly / try to record it / add some new parts to it. That way I'm improving technique for one of my songs, and still being creative, without all the pressure that can come with "time to write a new song."

EXELENT ADVICE.......... I am really enjoying the process of rerecording my old songs with new friends, and picking up old ones and adding random step ups or step downs to them. Maybe adding a bridge here and there. Things I never thought of when first writing that song. And those songs are as simple as can be. Look at Wilco, over half of there cataloge is 1-4-5 stuctured songs with sweet melodies blended into them, much different than say a Sonic Youth. Keep it simple and go back from time to time and keep adding. A song is ever growing an changing. Take pride in it but don't take yourself to serious. I am also a hobbyist, it's just the love for music, it's not like your really reinventing the wheel. Try capo's, on old songs also, you'll be like wtf, why didn't I try that before.

 

And Smoghead..................I would pay money to see you. Give yourself a bit more credit man.

[FourStrongWinds]

Try writing without the guitar, come up with phrases and melodies in your head and then once you have a nice idea you can build on it rather then force them out with the guitar in your hand. I started writing poetry recently too, Just short sketches, imagery I like etc. I think its a great way to get inspired

 

Also try and finish songs, Even if you think they're shit its a good excercice and the main thing to do is not worry about it, It will come back

[oceanman]

I really wish I could free flow or rap. I can't even remember my own lyrics. I'm that dude who brings his notebook to open mics. Still better than a teleprompter!

[jff]

I'm in a super rut when it comes to guitar playing/songwriting. I can't seem to get out of this one lame style of playing. The guitar feels really constricted right now, for whatever reason. Any tips on how to get out of this rut? Don't play anything for a couple days?

 

 

 

Do you have access to a drumset? I know some guitarists who dabble with drums and have told me that their time spent on the drums somehow helps them out with their guitar playing.

[stickman]

Everybody has some great advice.. thanks gang!

 

Smoghead - I agree with you on the use of a strong notebook. Keeping older songs handy is really easy when they are all right there. I think that going back to some of my older songs and making some sense out of them is what I'm going to do...actually I've been meaning to do that for quite some time, so thanks for really pushing for that.

 

Oceanman - I would really enjoy having a songwriting partner for the full band stuff I'm doing, but finding someone is difficult. I'm gonna try and meet some new people at some of the local shows I've been going to. I think having someone to bounce ideas off of is a great idea.

 

And JFF - Funny you mention the drumset because I've been teaching myself to play ever since my buddy and I started jamming...he's left his kit at my house for a couple of weeks now and my sense of rhythm has increased exponentially.

 

 

All this talk has gotten me pretty excited to work on some stuff...but first, time for lunch.

[jff]

And JFF - Funny you mention the drumset because I've been teaching myself to play ever since my buddy and I started jamming...he's left his kit at my house for a couple of weeks now and my sense of rhythm has increased exponentially.

 

That's great! Drums have been my main instrument for a long time, but I've been getting more serious about playing guitar over the last couple years. I don't know if I can pinpoint exactly what the benefits are, but I feel strongly that one helps the other. It's kind of funny, now that I'm improving on the guitar and in the beginning stages of creating songs, I'm discovering things in my drumming that need improvement (or are just bad...maybe even somewhat obnoxious ).

 

Good luck!

[BigWheeledWagon]

I got in such a bad rut I started buying all sorts of books, tapes, vocal guides, theory books....etc. This one was hands down the most helpful.

 

If you can swing a couple of serious lessons in chord theory you'll be amazed the doors that are opened. I have had the recent good fortune to begin working with a producer/keyboardist/theory wizard. You should seek out a type of instructor like this. He's pointed out some new "ways to go" with songs and how to make much better chord changes and get to chords you want to get to. He always tells me, "It's not rocket science, it's just chords." Seriously.

 

This would pretty much be my advice. Studying theory and messing with some weird scale often inspire new songs for me.

[Gobias Industries]

That's great! Drums have been my main instrument for a long time, but I've been getting more serious about playing guitar over the last couple years. I don't know if I can pinpoint exactly what the benefits are, but I feel strongly that one helps the other. It's kind of funny, now that I'm improving on the guitar and in the beginning stages of creating songs, I'm discovering things in my drumming that need improvement (or are just bad...maybe even somewhat obnoxious ).

 

Good luck!

 

It allows you to play more complicated stuff, because drumming teaches you to move your hands independently, so translated onto the guitar it means you can play those kinds of passages with more dexterity, alongside improving your sense of rhythm. It was in a Guitar Player, I forget who said it, but I recall it wasn't a very well known guy at all (but he was playing an 8-string guitar in a prog/jazz/fusion/whatever outfit if I remember correctly, which would explain his relative anonymity).

[In a little rowboat]

dont often have the rut, most often dont have the time

 

things that have helped move me along:

 

read a book, see a movie you wouldnt normally

try to write something 'not' a song (poem, rant, essay, breakup letter)

new tunings

play in a friend's band for a while

a new internet radio station

play a foreign instrument

people watch and eavesdrop in a bar

buying a new guitar

 

careful with the last two

[markosis]

I'd say, pick up/borrow a banjo/ukulele/mandolin/omnichord/whatever and just see how much fun you can have exploring something ENTIRELY unknown.

 

A little more into the songwriting end of things, see how much silence you can stand for a week or two. I know we as music fans feel the need to fill our ears with new sounds to inspire us, I think some well-intentioned silent periods go a long way into getting in touch with your own thoughts.

[MattZ]

I know enough about theory to be dangerous, but not enough that it really helps me. With all the "study theory" suggestions in this thread, I'd be interested in seeing people's suggestions for books, websites, etc that they found particularly helpful when studying theory.

[markosis]

I have to add, the theory stuff may not really help you write songs. I know a great deal of theory, I'd say the theory comes in handy for the arranging and stuff like that. When it comes to writing, its more of an emotional response.

 

But everyone's different. It could very well help you, just don't look at it like the magic bullet.

[idigworms]

Try this: adapt or rewrite a favorite song of yours, only with new music or lyrics, simply as an exercise. Painters study the masters by copying what they see, so why not musicians in a slightly more creative and personal way?

[drolow]

something i like to do on guitar is think horizontally as opposed to staying in one position. The tricky thing about the guitar is the ability to play the same note in so many different positions. I find that trying different ways of playing the same phrase sometimes open up new ideas. Another thing to try is just experimenting with chord voicings a bit in new positions. I find that i get out of ruts at times when i least expect it. The last suggestion i have is maybe don't play or think about music too much for a few days, when I return to the guitar it helps me change my perception of my playing and lets me hear what i am doing with fresh ears.

[oceanman]

Do you have access to a drumset? I know some guitarists who dabble with drums and have told me that their time spent on the drums somehow helps them out with their guitar playing.

My guitar playing comes from a percussion backround. My buddy an all srtings player is learning drums and I find it really cool to see what we come up with. I use to study for tests in High School by memorizing text books with drum beats while playing.

[oceanman]

Oceanman - I would really enjoy having a songwriting partner for the full band stuff I'm doing, but finding someone is difficult. I'm gonna try and meet some new people at some of the local shows I've been going to. I think having someone to bounce ideas off of is a great idea.

Make sure a trusting and sober realationship is there. My co-writer and I have been friends for awhile now and not until this past year would he take me in. He has seen two major fall outs of mine and was not sure of the whole thing. We esablished trust and most of all a friendship. Finding some one to pick you apart w/out having verbal or physical altercations. I have one plate, nine screws, and three pins in the left arm from co-writting with the wrong fella. I'm in a great place, I feel like I have two gf's now, and I mean that in a positive way.

[lost highway]

One of the most helpful things for me happens away from the instrument. (This works better with a whole band)

 

I like to think of sounds when I'm driving or walking. Sounds of certain songs that I really like, that have a unique approach. I then mimic this idea or approach. Not melody or chord progression just general arrangement style/dynamic/tempo. So if I am really feeling "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" I don't learn it. Instead I write a song in a minor key with arpeggios from one guitar and fuzzy leads from another. Keep it slower tempo with some heavy downbeats from the drums. Use lots of R&B in the vocals with a lot of phrases ending holding longer notes. Find a few slightly altered chords, or some more colorful sevenths. Encourage a syncopated and spacious bassline.

 

Alot of times this creates a verse, or chorus that points immediately to the next step in writing. Other times I will create a hybrid of two seperate ideas/approaches like: I've got this Velvet Underground-ish verse that's really moody and repetative, can I get that to go into a more playful/vaudeville Kinks type of thing for a chorus.

 

With any luck it almost never sounds much like the band I was thinking of. Most of my drive as a songwriter comes less from jamming, or having a melody, or words to begin with; and more from wanting to write a certain type of song (in a more specific way than the word 'genre' even means) this is where I find all of the exciting stuff once I have a template to motivate me.

[oceanman]

See, I always get called out on that shit.

[Gobias Industries]

I know enough about theory to be dangerous, but not enough that it really helps me. With all the "study theory" suggestions in this thread, I'd be interested in seeing people's suggestions for books, websites, etc that they found particularly helpful when studying theory.

 

Oftentimes I hear Ted Greene's Chord Chemistry get brought up when it comes to that.

[a.miller]

This thread is awesome! Maybe the best I've seen in the ol' SST area....

 

Anyway...I'll go into a little depth about a rut and how I came/am coming out of it. I hope this is of some help to anyone.

 

When I started writing songs around 10 years back, they were always long, many-versed tales of this and that. I eventually came around to thinking these songs were too long. Never once did I think of the upside of actually writing two and three page songs with bridges, all sorts of parts, etc.

 

So, I focused on writing more concise, 'pop' length songs. Basically, saying no more long songs. This was a bad move. What I did was build a wall around myself, covering one avenue of songwriting.

 

Then...I discovered a little bit of chord theory, how major and minor chords work in a key, etc. This was tremendously helpful, but ultimately lead to me fearing to stray from these "theory patterns" when writing chords. It was always a lot of F-C-G, Am-F-C-G blah blah blah. Everything I sang and everything I wrote felt like it was slipping into this pattern. So I decided to stop always writing like this -- another wall I built up around myself.

 

The more I wrote, the more I picked apart. I'd built up rules and walls all over my writing techniques. Things never flowed freely -- always forced and calculated. I think there is a place for this, but it is stifling (at least for me).

 

I felt out of luck and out of ideas. Whenever I came up with something "good" I just loved it to death and was too scared to do anything with it. I think that's the root of a lot of writer's block. I would compare something that was 10% written and hold it up to something done and polished; casting it aside as being "screwed up" or "crappy lyrics" before it even came to life.

 

It was at this point I started buying books on songwriting and reading, reading, reading.

 

In all of my reading, I came across a passage in a book that basically stated that if you get to a "roadblock" where the lyrics won't come, chords won't come, etc. just turn the page of your notebook and start another song. No matter how much you loved the last song's chords, or how goddamn great the first line was -- just turn the page.

 

I've followed that idea much in my recent songwriting. If I get stuck on a song -- so what? I know my greatest work might be on the next blank page.