25th July 2012
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#1 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 247
Thread Starter | Getting through writer's block, expanding subject matter, tips?
Whatup GS??
I was curious what some of you do to deal with writer's block? What are some things youve found to be useful, when it seems like your rapping about the same things over and over?
What are some things you can do to expand your topics and subject matter in general??
I guess Im looking at it from a lyrical/writing perspective, not so much as a beatmaker/producer, though Im sure a lot of it applies to both.
Ive also noticed that I almost go back to a certain set of rhyme patterns/cadences and flows too. Im looking for some solid advice on how to expand my game in general, and how you all have dealt with similar road blocks.
So dealing with writers block, expanding topics, subject matter, and vocabulary/lyricism, and opening creativity for new flows and patterns in general.. discuss.
Some common answers Ive seen are to take a break, get your mind off it and come back later with a fresh start and mind. Ive heard to keep writing, even if its garbage, and eventually the good ish will start coming out. Ive heard of rappers that do a lot of reading books and things like that as far as subject matter is concerned. Ive also heard listening to inspirational music, sometimes even other genres for a breath of fresh air. Anyone have anything to add to this?
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25th July 2012
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#2 | | Gear is over-rated
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 956
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Just steal other rappers subject matter.
If they make a song about something you havent yet... then write one on that same exact subject.
Subject matters arent copyrighted.
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25th July 2012
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2012 Location: Yay Area
Posts: 1,101
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Taking a break is nice. It can definitely get you craving doing music again. But a side effect to that is that you could come back to music and not have the same drive and persistence at it that you once had. It's easy to enjoy the time away from it a lil bit and then come back to have it feel like a lot of work.
I say keep writing, even if it's crap. You think professionals are taking time off because of writers block? I dot think so. Even if you finish a song and your like "I dont like the 2 last verses" well then you know what needs to be fixed. The first verse and chorus are fire. Set it to the side and work on something new. Come back later to it. You might find out it'll sound better with another artist on it.
When I do music I often feel in a writing stage and a creative stage. When I feel like writing I write when I feel creative I shuffle threw beats and make choruses to them. Therefor, I have plenty of work to write to. You just have to keep it mind that what you write down is never final. It's all art work. You sketching right now to lay down the piece when it's all ready.
The more you write the better you get is my philosophy!
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25th July 2012
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#4 | | Jack of all Trades
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,268
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Other things to consider are the physical aspects of your life, and the things you do when you write. Your body and mind are connected, when one suffers so does the other. Do you eat good? Sleep well? Drink? Smoke? Exercise?
When your writing, do you sit, or pace around your room? Standing and moving around increases the blood flow to your brain and can help your mind process faster.
As for the other methods - Clearing your mind by going to a peaceful place, or taking a walk can be a great help. Going out and doing things is normally my biggest source of inspiration. Take a hot chick out on a date, or just go with some friends to a club, and that can normally take the stress off and help some new stuff come out.
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25th July 2012
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#5 | | Gear nut
Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Northern VA
Posts: 83
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Do things different. Go to different places. Change your perspective.
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25th July 2012
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#6 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago
Posts: 86
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Sometimes writing without the beat helps me. I won't write a whole verse this way but I'll write the first few bars accapella cuz it lets my mind wander easily into topics I've never talked about. Then come back to the beat or pick a beat that fits and continue.
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25th July 2012
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#7 | | Gear nut
Joined: Dec 2007 Location: London UK
Posts: 124
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Writers block can be quite difficult to get through , if you are under deadline and pressure to finish.
I don't rely on any particular technique it just gets done. Sometimes I wish I could do it again but such is time.
If you need an idea quick. Try looking at the bigger picture and making sure everything else in the chain is going to come through for you.
Be a tryer not a quitter. There's always a way !!!!
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25th July 2012
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#8 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,706
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read books...watch tv....put yourself in different surroundings...do something you've never done...
anything to evoke some inspiration.
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26th July 2012
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 2,390
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Log off completely and live life.
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26th July 2012
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#10 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 537
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Hobbs_Won  read books...watch tv....put yourself in different surroundings...do something you've never done...
anything to evoke some inspiration. | This dude once said "Instead of reading a magazine, read a book. Write with your left hand. Write a poem... Instead of writing music, listen to music"
Just keep things fresh for your brain.
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26th July 2012
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#12 | | Gear interested
Joined: Nov 2011 Location: New York, NY
Posts: 29
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Stackx I say keep writing, even if it's crap. You think professionals are taking time off because of writers block? I dot think so. Even if you finish a song and your like "I dont like the 2 last verses" well then you know what needs to be fixed. The first verse and chorus are fire. Set it to the side and work on something new. Come back later to it. You might find out it'll sound better with another artist on it. | I think this is really good advice. This has definitely worked for me in the past. It's almost like I need to get all the bad ideas out of my head to make room for the good.
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26th July 2012
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#13 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2009 Location: alexandria va
Posts: 561
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if ya got nothing to write
eat some bible tripe
and look around at where
and take a smell o the air
don't forget to wipe
that goofy grin off ya face,
your writing again.
if ya take a lil taste
yeah, her butts got a shake,
im ready to go
not ready to fake
it! I gotta give it to make it!
these fools don't know
they minds is floatin in blow
give a pull on the chain,
man, she's callin again,
i don't give a dam
she got a man
she's riddin my hand
ain't nuthin changed
I'm back in the game!!
I'm writing again.
--I don't know man.... just do it!! Make everything up. Keep the words moving and dump what sucks!
__________________
ok ma yb ep ut ti ng ev er yt hi ng on ag ri dd oe ss ou nd be tt er .I me an wh oa re th es eh um an sa ny wa yt ha tt he ir fe el in gs sh ou ld ma tt er .I sa yw ed oa wa yw it ht he m.
-t he gr id
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26th July 2012
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,720
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I make beats and have written like 20 raps total so I don't know how much this applies. I personally can't force wackness so that's not an option for me.
I do often truly produce tracks where I come up with concepts and bounce ideas back and forth with the rappers I work with. They may come up with a general idea and I fill in the blanks, or more often it's the opposite. Either way, that's always helpful. I don't know if you work with other people but do a collaborative piece to get you back in the mode, or just bullshit with other talented people, either can get you going.
I agree with just going out and living life. I feel chained to both my studio and some other things that keep me from really going out. I make an effort to do something as simple as take a drive, much less really going out to an inspiring place, just to feel human, much less have experiences to make music about.
I don't know how this works with rap but for me, it works with everything. Reduce clutter and organize things. It could be music related, it could be life related, it could be just cleaning out my email box or organizing files. Anything that takes an extra moment of my time becomes exponentially more frustrating over time, be it mechanical, logistical, or artistic.
Other than that, stay inspired on a personal level. I tend to not make much music when I have all the time in the world because the reason I have time is nothing else is going on. When I am in motion and don't really have time, especially when I am stressed a bit, everything starts flowing. All of that, in many ways, inspires me.
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27th July 2012
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#15 | | Gear Head
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 43
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Listen to different kinds of music!
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