You’ve probably heard of writer’s block, but did you know that musicians and other artists can struggle with a creativity block as well? A creativity block can be brought on by a variety of circumstances, and it may last for days, weeks, months, or even years.
If you feel like you’re struggling to access your creativity, it can be frustrating. Here’s the good news, there are some great activities that can help you boost your musical creativity and get past your creativity block.
Keep reading to learn the activities you can try.
One: Take a Break
Have you ever sat in front of an empty page for so long it all starts to blur together? You may want to keep pushing, but that’s actually just going to lead to you becoming stressed, frustrated, and exhausted.
Ultimately, your creative blog just gets worse by pushing yourself. You will be at your most productive and creative if you take brain breaks.
Think about something else or nothing for a few minutes and give your brain time to reset. When you come back to the page, your brain will feel refreshed, and it’s quite possible the ideas will begin flowing.
Two: Get Moving
Go outside, take a walk, or exercise, just do something to get your body moving. Getting moving can help get your creative juices flowing so that you can break up that creative block.
There was a study done at Stanford about creativity that found that just going for a walk helps promote creativity and divergent thinking. Exercise has the ability to increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain.
These neurotransmitters have a variety of benefits, including the fact that they can boost your mood, lower stress levels, and improve cognitive functions. This can all play into boosting your creativity.
Three: Play a Different Instrument
Sometimes when you’re feeling stuck, it helps to do something different. Doing something different can shift your perspective and help you think about things in a new way.
As you begin to think differently, you will come up with new ideas. Sign up for music lessons and learn to play an instrument that’s different than what you would normally play.
For example, if you play the guitar, consider taking classes to learn how to play the drums. It could inspire you and help you to create more creative music with unique sound combinations.
Four: Step Outside of the Box
Everyone has styles of music they tend to gravitate towards. Maybe you love country music, and you’re not into rap or the blues; that’s okay; you don’t have to love everything.
However, taking the time to step outside your box and find things you love in different genres can broaden your musical horizons. This might require you to put aside some of the prejudices you have about a style of music.
Take the time to listen to different genres with an open mind. Notice the techniques and sounds they use. As you explore, it can help spur your musical creativity.
Five: Take a Music Theory Class
Music theory lessons might not sound exciting, but for any musician learning music theory is imperative. This can help give you the tools you need to be creative.
It will make it simpler to translate the ideas in your head to paper. By knowing the rules of music, you can willingly break them with the intent to create something unique and special.
Six: Have a Jam Session
Your friends might not be too into knowing how to write a song, but if they play instruments, ask them to join you for a jam session. Collaboration is a great way to boost creativity as you hear ideas and music from other people.
In addition, laughing and enjoying time with your friends can help give your brain the break it needs.
Seven: Don’t Forget to Eat
Have you ever spent so much time wrapped up in what you’re doing that you forget to eat? Not only are you headed for a headache, but you’re missing out on an activity that could help boost your creativity.
Eating can help boost creativity; there are some factors that play into this; for example, how you eat, where you eat, and what you eat is important. Try eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and consider giving mindful eating a try to boost your musical creativity.
Eight: Don’t Edit
Do you have an inner critic? You’re not alone.
That inner critic can often become your constant editor. As you’re trying to be creative, you will end up deleting and starting over multiple times because your inner editor doesn’t believe it’s good enough.
If you’ve been here, you know exactly what we’re referring to. Here’s a challenge for you, put your thoughts to music or paper, and don’t edit.
No deleting, no editing; just keep pushing forward until you have created something. If you allow your inner critic to take over, it will ultimately stifle your creativity.
Nine: Create Digital Music
There are so many tools available to musicians online. Take the time to find some and play around with them.
You can find programs with sounds that don’t sound digital but as if the actual instrument was playing. Have fun and create unique sound combinations. This can help boost your creativity as you think outside the box.
Boost Your Musical Creativity
There are many ways you can boost your musical creativity. The important thing is to take a moment to step away and give yourself the room to breathe and create.
Are you interested in learning to play a new instrument? The Sloan School of Music is here to help you with your musical education. Contact us today for more information.
