Having some major inspiration issues!

[Peachey]

Hey guys, so this is my first post on her, and don't worry i have bookmarked this page on the toolbar, so i'll be back ! I am getting right into to dubstep production so you may see me on here quite often. Anyway back to the post!

So i am making this track at the moment and i've done almost everything else i need beside a lead of some sort! I've got the bass, drums (for the moment), some fx, and a few other things. What im struggling with though is getting the inspiration for a lead! At the moment it just builds up and drops, then its just bass. I don't want wobbles and everything dirty like that, i think i might ruin the whole vibe of the track, but at the same time im not sure what i want!

http://www.box.net/shared/1hbuvqq4df6ylagaxf0n

So thats the track so far, give it a listen, the build up starts around 1:00 or so. When you get passed the little drob i've got going on, you'll see what im talking about. What im asking for here, is for you guys to either tell me some ways to get inspired, or give me some ideas of what i should put in there!

If you have any other feedback for how it's going or anything i should change on what it is now, please tell, i don't mind negative feedback, just don't be a prick!

Cheers, i hope for a nice stay!

[Peachey]

also this didn't just start happening on this tracks. its been going for a while. every now and then i'll come lucky and get an idea, but i'll either get sick of it or lose interest. Anyway thanks again!

[Warwolt]

Why not take 20min and listen to some tracks you like and try to pay attention to the leads and melodies? Listening for certain things is a great way for me to gain ideas.

[lazermouse]

Close your current project, open a new one. Try making something totally different like house or hip hop or pop even. You'll come up with different ideas that you can grab and take back to your unfinished project.

[Peachey]

Close your current project, open a new one. Try making something totally different like house or hip hop or pop even. You'll come up with different ideas that you can grab and take back to your unfinished project.

Yeah well i usually do house, but im having the same issue aswell. I might try some hip hop kinda stuff!

Thanks!

[Dystinkt]

I really like the tune man, red hot chilli peppers are top notch. Id say maybe try using some vocal samples over the top at the start, feels bare then, as well maybe try copy one of the guitar melodys with a different instrument for a lead.

[Peachey]

I really like the tune man, red hot chilli peppers are top notch. Id say maybe try using some vocal samples over the top at the start, feels bare then, as well maybe try copy one of the guitar melodys with a different instrument for a lead.

Yeah definitely man, ill give that a go later on today. Just gotta try keep the track flowing with the lead.

Thanks man!

[S1NTH3TIC]

if you get stuck, just start a new track. I use to try to stay on one track at a time, but your ideas don't always work together even though you thought of them at the same time. You might even get lucky and create a lead that doesn't work in your new project but works on that old project you've had sitting around.

What I'll sometimes do is make a bunch of different basslines, then just pitch 'em around and turn out a lead/melody.

[Peachey]

if you get stuck, just start a new track. I use to try to stay on one track at a time, but your ideas don't always work together even though you thought of them at the same time. You might even get lucky and create a lead that doesn't work in your new project but works on that old project you've had sitting around.

What I'll sometimes do is make a bunch of different basslines, then just pitch 'em around and turn out a lead/melody.

Yeah i try do that, but i just can't be motivated to go through making the drums all over again haha, it takes me forever just to make up a decent kick haha! and what do you mean pitch em around?

[Manic Harmonic]

you could just listen to some songs and steal the melodies, then tweak them to your liking. that's what I do when I have this issue. why not just try jamming out on your keyboard? that works too.

[wobzilla]

yeah listening to other stuff is best for inspiration. not just electronic stuff either, a bunch of different genres. Even stuff which seems a million miles away like Blues, it's melody is based upon call and response lines which might just give you an idea for a lead. Funnily enough I sometimes get inspired just by sifting through my sample packs and hearing a quick vocal hook or arpeggiated sequence. Also, go for a walk and get some fresh air. lol. I sound like a dad, but there's nothing worse for me than trying to force inspiration staring into a blank canvas for hours.

[Peachey]

yeah i think i might just look for a melody somewhere else haha, i just don't want to get stuck in the habit of not making my own. Ill check out some different styles of music and see what i can find.

Thanks for all the replies!

[Dystinkt]

no problem mate, good luck with the tune!

[jrisreal]

Im not at home so I can't listen to that link, but if you're struggling with inspiration, you're going about it the wrong way. You wait for inspiration to come to you, dont push it. In the meantime, sit back and relax or have fun doing something else. If the inspiration comes at the wrong time when you're at school or work or whatever, get a piece of paper or napkin or something and draw a piano roll grid and draw in your idea and use it later.

Hoping this answers your question.

[Triphosphate]

Im not at home so I can't listen to that link, but if you're struggling with inspiration, you're going about it the wrong way. You wait for inspiration to come to you, dont push it. In the meantime, sit back and relax or have fun doing something else. If the inspiration comes at the wrong time when you're at school or work or whatever, get a piece of paper or napkin or something and draw a piano roll grid and draw in your idea and use it later.

Hoping this answers your question.

^jr is right on, IMO. I think you can't push true inspiration, but I find the best thing to do when I'm not inspired is to take the time to go through and organize my drum samples, or make up and downlifters and patches for my synths. Before you know it you're listening to something you're organizing or have made and inspiration comes.

I have trouble with listening to music by others for inspiration because I don't have my own set-in-stone style, per se, and when I feel inspired from someone elses song and sit down to write something I end up practically copying the melodies or chord progressions, or make my song feel like an extension to theirs. I actually find that not listening to music is more inspiring. But when I read or watch a movie music comes to me.

[Artie_Fufkin]

get a piece of paper or napkin or something and draw a piano roll grid

If I tried that I'd probably end up with a different melody when actually putting in the notes
However, Beethoven wrote music even after losing his hearing, so this would be a very handy skill. Especially for when you're away from your computer.

[drooka]

listen to some old jazz or blues, the melodies in there can give tons of inspiration

[jrisreal]

get a piece of paper or napkin or something and draw a piano roll grid

If I tried that I'd probably end up with a different melody when actually putting in the notes
However, Beethoven wrote music even after losing his hearing, so this would be a very handy skill. Especially for when you're away from your computer.

yeah it really helps. I wrote down two of them in class today

[Peachey]

Im not at home so I can't listen to that link, but if you're struggling with inspiration, you're going about it the wrong way. You wait for inspiration to come to you, dont push it. In the meantime, sit back and relax or have fun doing something else. If the inspiration comes at the wrong time when you're at school or work or whatever, get a piece of paper or napkin or something and draw a piano roll grid and draw in your idea and use it later.

Hoping this answers your question.

Haha yeah i've actually done that before, while i was away from home for a few days, i just wrote it in a book, got home and got it right actually hahah. Turned out to be a decent track too!

But when i sit back and not do any production, i fear that one day, i just wont go back to ableton or whatever and i'll just stop trying to make music all together. I don't want that to happen, however, i dont have time to do it everyday and not achieve results. Like how do the top producers out there at the moment have a constant stream of new, good music, it must be so hard!

[DrastikMeazures]

I don't know if you use Reason at all, but one of my favorite tricks is to set up a synth (usually Malstrom or Thor) and connect a Matrix pattern sequencer, maybe a delay as well. Then just drag your mouse around in the pattern sequencer making totally random melody's until something strikes you. Or like some of the other forum members said go do something else to take your mind off it.