What makes music inspiring

She released it on her 11th birthday. And it is full of inspiring themes for her friends and tweens everywhere. Your email address will not be published. Sign in close. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. No account yet? Create an Account Login. Shopping cart close. No products in the cart.

Previous Post. S says:. Low level ambient sound may improve creativity. A friend grew up near an opera house in New York City. She did her homework while listening to the loud music emanating from the stage and orchestra pit. She prefers to write while listening to classical music set at a high volume.

Experiences differ. Instrumentals like jazz and classical can allow the world to slip away. Music with lyrics seems to be the problem child as songs with lyrics cause some writers distraction. There is always the possibility of the lyrics finding their way into dialogue. Not so good for the restaurant, but I wonder if writing in a low-lit writing cave while listening to soft sounds will cause less snacking.

Do you listen to music while you write? Which comes first, the tune or the tale? How does music affect your work? Do you use music local to the story to help you get in the mood for writing those scenes? Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written non-fiction for parents and a series of chapter books for children with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible.

Top Image by S. Richter from Pixabay. Interesting post, and some good ideas. I listen to classical radio all day, and I'd find it hard to write in silence - or distracted by the sounds of the neighbourhood. I am right there with you regarding neighborhood noise. That can really be jarring. When we lived in Mazatlan we were exposed to the blaring of various radios from open-air taxis and live bands traveling along the beach all afternoon and much of the night.

Impossible music to write to, at least for me. I can only write in two kinds of noise - absolute silence, to the tune of noise-canceling headphones, or the cacophony of a bar or coffeeshop. Bar noise is the best, because I worked in bars in college and I'm used to reading and studying in that environment.

But that at-home peaceful quiet of an empty house is pretty awesome too. You make a good point regarding working in an enviroment that you are used to. That makes a lot of sense. Like Jenny, I'm an absolute silence writer, too. Even on the most beautiful summer day, I can't write outdoors for long, as the damn cars and birds and flies are too distracting. Cue eyeroll. BUT, Ellen, you've inspired me to make a writing playlist that I can use to get the gears turning, and turn off when necessary.

I've tried writing outdoors but fall prey to the "Look! There's a squirrel" syndrome. Become a subscribing member today. Get the science of a meaningful workplace delivered to your inbox. About the Author. Jill Suttie Jill Suttie, Psy. By Jill Suttie April 21, Go for walks in public places and look at other people or your surroundings for inspiration.

Lots of songwriters write about nature, other people, or interesting experiences. Get out there and let the world inspire you. Try eavesdropping. Sometimes, listening in on someone else's conversation can open you up to a new perspective. You may even find something intriguing or lyrical in their words. If there's a place you feel particularly emotionally connected to, such as a park, go there with a pen and paper, sit down, and write whatever comes to mind. Try something new.

Many musicians lead very interesting lives that also serve as inspiration for their lyrics. Whatever the outcome, it'll certainly give you something to write about.

Trying new things can give you an adrenaline rush, which can be inspiring. You can do something extreme, like skydiving, or something simple, like trying a new recipe. Be nostalgic. Look at old photo albums, reread old letters, visit family and childhood friends and talk about the past.

Nostalgia is a very powerful mix of emotions and from these activities can emerge many stories and emotions to draw on. Method 3. Listen to music. This may seem obvious, but listening to music and paying attention to the song lyrics will not only teach you more about the mechanics of successful song lyrics, but can also be inspiring. Take a walk and listen to music without lyrics. This can help inspire you to come up with new lyrics.

If you come up with good lines, write them down! Listen to the music that inspired you to start songwriting. Doing so will help you know what to emulate and what to avoid in your own songs. Pay attention to the classics. Iconic songwriters, from Quincy Jones to Woody Guthrie, attained their status for a reason.

Note the lyrics, arrangement, and structure. Broadening your musical horizons will inspire you to incorporate new sounds or styles that you wouldn't have otherwise considered. Explore other art forms. You don't have to limit yourself to music for inspiration.

Try to consume as much art as possible in all its different forms as doing so can inspire you in unexpected ways. Watch movies, read books, go to art galleries--anything creative can feed your own artistic spirit. Reading poetry is a great place to start because it is most similar to song lyrics. Reading literature has the added benefit of expanding your vocabulary, which you can also use in your own songs.

Pay attention to unconventional art forms. Inspiration is all around us as long as we are open to it. From street art to experimental theatre, the more you get out of your comfort zone, the more exciting possible inspirations you may find. For example, you could look at the graffiti in your area.

Many street artists make public art for a variety of reasons, such as raising political awareness. Discomfort isn't always a bad thing. New experiences can make you uncomfortable, but they can also inspire you to produce new, exciting work, especially if you feel like you're creating the same thing over and over.

Method 4. Find a quiet space to work in. Though we often think of inspiration as something that just strikes us, a certain level of discipline is also necessary to create polished song lyrics. Having a set place to focus and be creative can motivate you to keep up a regular practice of songwriting. Something as simple as a desk can be a great place to write.

You can even decorate the space with some of your favorite musical inspirations to keep you inspired. Studies have shown that the color blue can enhance performance on a creative task.

Decide on a writing routine. Some people feel most inspired and excited to write first thing in the morning while other people find the evening time to be best for their creativity. Figure out what time of the day works for you bearing in mind other responsibilities, such as your job and schoolwork and decide on a writing routine accordingly.

After a few weeks of consciously doing this, it'll eventually become second nature and you'll have a steady flow of written material for your songs. Minimize distractions. It's all too easy to get distracted by social media, chores, and all the other daily aspects of life that demand our attention.