Below are practical ideas—part mindset, part workflow—that I
use and recommend to students and colleagues. Try a handful, tweak them, and
keep the ones that actually help you make more music.
1) Give creativity a schedule (but keep it playful)
Treat creative sessions like appointments. Block 60–90
minute windows in your calendar and protect them. The pressure of a short,
focused session often sparks choices and momentum you won’t get from an
open-ended “I’ll work later” plan. That said, make at least one session per
week a “no-expectations” jam—no goal, just exploration. Scheduled practice
helps you get into a flow state faster. Research shows that flow arises more
easily when the task is clear and you have the skills to match the challenge.
Try this: Book three 75-minute sessions this week:
two “finish one idea” sessions, one “weird sounds & samples” session.
2) Use constraints to get unexpected results
Ironically, limiting choices frees your creativity. Turn off
90% of your plugin rack, write using only one instrument, or finish a track
using a 2-minute loop. Constraints force decisions and lead to surprising
results. Legendary producers regularly use this trick—set boundaries and you’ll
be amazed at how quickly something interesting emerges.
Try this: Pick one constraint (tempo, key, one synth)
and make a 90-second demo in one session.
3) Build a fast, forgiving session template
A tidy template reduces friction. Have a DAW template with
commonly used tracks, routing, and reference tracks loaded so you don’t waste
the first 20 minutes setting up. When your template is ready, you can dive
straight into ideas, not paperwork. Producers who work efficiently often credit
organized sessions for preserving creative energy.
Try this: Create a “Creative” template: two stereo
busses (instruments + vocals), a reverb and a compressor lane, and one
reference track inserted on a channel.
4) Collect sounds, then assemble
If the idea of writing a whole song feels huge, flip the
script: collect tiny bits—loops, found sounds, single-note phrases—and store
them in a sortable library. Later, assemble them like collage pieces. This
“collect-first” habit converts slow days into productive indexing sessions and
gives you raw material for high-energy days. Plenty of producers recommend
collecting and curating a sample library as the best defense against writer’s
block.
Try this: Spend one hour this week creating and
labeling 20 micro-samples (10 melodic, 10 percussive).
5) Embrace bad takes and save everything
Don’t delete—archive. That weird, wrong note or off-mic
breath could be a hook later. Keep an “ideas” project and drop anything that
has partial interest. You’ll build a catalog of oddities you can repurpose.
Many experienced producers emphasize saving early, imperfect ideas rather than
forcing perfection in the moment.
Try this: Create a backup folder called “Rough Gems”
and save every titled demo you start.
6) Change your environment (and your instrument)
A small change—different chair, different room, a capo, or a
borrowed instrument—can alter the way your hands and ears approach music. Even
recording a single acoustic guitar line with a phone and then re-amping it can
spark new directions. MIT and other creative labs recommend changing
perspectives and sensory inputs to break creative stasis.
Try this: Take your guitar (or synth) to another
room, or try writing without a click track for 20 minutes.
7) Use exercises that reboot your brain
When stuck, use quick exercises: reverse audio, limit
yourself to three chords, write a melody in 4 bars, or sample an everyday sound
and build rhythm from it. These micro-challenges are fun, low-pressure, and
often lead to larger ideas. Educational sources and producer communities
regularly recommend short, focused exercises to rewire creative thinking.
Try this: Do a 15-minute “reverse everything”
exercise: record a phrase, flip it, and build a bed around the new texture.
8) Collaborate or get accountability
Even a 30-minute call with another musician can change
everything. Collaboration injects fresh input and makes you accountable to
finish a piece. If collaboration isn’t possible, share weekly updates with a
friend or mentor. Accountability is a practical hack many successful creators
use to stay productive.
Try this: Schedule a 30-minute feedback call with a
musician friend this week and send them one rough idea beforehand.
9) Prioritize health & small rituals
Sleep, movement, and short breaks matter. Creativity thrives
when your brain has rest and novelty. Try a 10-minute walk after a tough
session—often the solution happens while you’re away from the desk. Top
producers often cite meditation, breaks, or even intentional boredom as part of
their practice.
Quick Checklist: Do one of these tomorrow
- Start
a 75-minute session with a single constraint.
- Create
(or update) a DAW template for creativity.
- Save
20 micro-samples to your library.
- Do a
15-minute “reverse everything” exercise.
- Send
one rough idea to a friend for feedback.
Creativity isn’t a magic gift reserved for the lucky few.
It’s a set of habits, tools, and choices you can build into your process. Try a
few of the suggestions above, keep what works, ditch the rest—and remember:
sometimes the best thing you can do is step away and let your subconscious sort
it out.
If you want, I can turn this into a downloadable checklist
or a 7-day creativity challenge you can post on social media. Which would you
prefer?
Sources & further reading
I have written many instructional guitar books and helped thousands of guitar players. Take a look.
- Lessons
on constraints and creative prompts from producers. (The
Ian Sanders Co.)
- 14
practical tips for getting out of a creative slump (MIT Music &
Performing Arts Center). (MIT MPC)
- DAW
templates and productivity tips for music producers. (Medium,
MusicRadar)
- Research
on statistical learning, hierarchy and musical creativity. (PMC,
Nature)
- Practical
motivation and “find your flow” tips for music producers (Audiomovers). (Audiomovers)
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