So you're sitting down at your DAW (digital audio workstation). The gear is working and connected properly, all the buttons and indicator lights are aglow, and your space is nice and tidy. But wait! What are you going to record today? You need lyrics! You need the right music! You need direction! Help!
You can have all the greatest analog or digital gear in the world, but it won't mean a thing without motivating inspiration. But doesn't everyone go through writer's block and have the occasional slump? Sure, but there are several ways for home recording producers to easily get ideas and thoughts together for their projects.
Keep a journal. This is one of the most effective and cheap ways to gather and use ideas. You would be surprised at how this simple resource is underutilized. There are many producers who simply record on the fly and they like to "capture that moment". That's fine and dandy for the moment, but without some sort of written directions you may miss elements of the full idea, or you will be forced to explain your thought processes again and again for that "captured moment". Bonkers! Keeping a journal keeps you focused on the task at hand. For instance, if you keep a journal of daily quotes you hear people saying throughout the day, after a while you will have a collection for a number of reasons: new song titles; song lyrics; ideas for audio books or movies; titles for podcasts; etc. So you see keeping a simple journal is a powerful idea-collector.
Take a walk. I am inspired many times by simply taking a walk in my neighborhood or in the park. Since I love to walk for exercise, I am always noticing the changes, listening to the sounds, and looking for something during my walk that catches my attention. Early one day I noticed water pouring down the sidewalk and flooding the center of a nearby street in my neighborhood. I thought that a waterline must have broken beneath the pavement, so I called the water department. The rushing of water, the flooding in the middle of the road, and the rapid response of the water department may seem trivial or business as usual to some, but for me, this was idea-food for my brain! Water flowing like an uncontrollable river! Water rising higher and higher with each wave! Water destroying property while cleansing the street! By simply taking a stroll and observing my world, I was inspired to do some serious writing!
People watching. I am inspired by simply observing people. I've been told many times that some songs I write are too close to home, or my life must be filled with unhappiness, tragedy, or pain. Writer's many times will use their own experiences to guide their works, but many times I just observe people. You can simply walk in a grocery store or Walmart to get inspired just by listening to the myriad of conversations you hear. Now I'm not suggesting becoming a people stalker, but you would be surprised at the conversations with couples, folk on cell phones, arguments among siblings, the clothes people decide to wear, etc. etc. just to name a few observable traits. If you are ever in a writing slump---head down to your local mall and watch people. You will have ideas for days.
There are probably dozens of books on the subject of inspiration, but remembering these three things can help get you moving. Keep a journal to record your thoughts for a written reference; Take a walk outside and observe what's going on with your ears and eyes; and go out and observe what people say, wear, and do!
Dray