10 Creativity Tips for Musicians

Creativity is a mysterious and vital force for any musician. Whether you're in the flow or facing a blank page, nurturing creativity is essential. These ten tips will help you tap into and sustain your creative energy.

1. Get Uncomfortable: Creativity thrives outside your comfort zone. Pay attention to your musical habits—those “go-to” patterns you lean on—and break them. For example, if you always use familiar chord progressions, try deliberately choosing chords you'd normally avoid or switching to a completely unfamiliar instrument. Anything to disrupt your routine.

David Bowie once said, "If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area." Pushing yourself into the deep end often leads to the most rewarding results.

2. Commit Early: The writing and recording process can feel endless when you keep second-guessing every decision. With so much technology at our disposal, it’s easy to fall into a loop of endless tweaks and revisions.

Annie Clark from St. Vincent captures this idea beautifully: "If you commit audio and say, 'This is the balance of these drums,' and print it, then you're building a song that is based on a sound you actually, really, truly decided upon." They add, "Be bold, commit to a sound, and then you're really building a house on rock." Bold choices lead to cohesive, authentic music.

If you’re feeling stuck, consider trying Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies cards, which encourage fearless decision-making. They’re a fantastic tool for embracing commitment.

3. Rest: Burnout is the enemy of creativity. In Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, the author explores how stepping away from your work—through breaks, outdoor walks, or downtime—can actually boost problem-solving and creativity. Many great thinkers and artists prioritized rest as a tool for better work.

Think of rest as essential, not optional. When you hit a wall, take a break. Often, those "aha" moments strike when you're least expecting them.

4. Collaborate: Collaboration can be a game-changer. A creative partner pushes you out of your comfort zone and adds fresh perspectives to your work. When one of you gets stuck, the other can keep the momentum going. If you don’t already have a creative partner, reach out to someone whose work inspires you. Collaboration can take your music to places you’d never imagine on your own.

5. The Fresh Ears Effect: Playing your work for someone else can change how you hear it. This is the “fresh ears effect.” Just by letting someone listen, you gain a new perspective on what’s working—and what isn’t—without them saying a word. Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and including others in your process can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

6. Set Boundaries: Limitations often fuel creativity. Having too many options can lead to decision paralysis. Try setting boundaries, like limiting yourself to eight tracks, working with a minimal setup, or setting a tight deadline.

For example, Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska was recorded on a four-track recorder, and its simplicity is part of its charm. Sometimes, less really is more.

7. Visual Inspiration: Let visual art inspire your music. Find a photo, painting, or video and create a soundtrack for it. Let the mood, color, and emotion guide you. To stretch your creativity further, choose imagery that contrasts with your usual style—like scoring a moody image if you typically write upbeat music. This practice can hone your expressive skills and even lead to new opportunities, like film scoring.

8. Prep vs. Production: Mixing pre-production and production can be overwhelming. Separate your process into distinct phases. For producers, pre-production might mean organizing samples; for songwriters, it could involve brainstorming lyrics or compiling a list of song titles. Having a clear focus for each phase reduces stress and helps you work more efficiently.

9. Song Structure: Sometimes, a framework is all you need to get started. Take a song you love and chart its structure—intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc.—down to the number of bars. Use that as a map to build your own song. You’re not copying the music, just borrowing the structure to spark ideas.

10. Beginner’s Mind: Beginner’s Mind, a Zen Buddhist philosophy, encourages approaching your work with the curiosity and openness of doing something for the first time. Forget what you know and embrace exploration.

For instance, try writing single-note melodies or bass lines one note at a time. Don’t overthink—just let the notes flow. This simplicity often leads to surprisingly intricate results as ideas build naturally.

Final Thoughts

Creativity is a dynamic process that requires effort, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. By stepping outside your comfort zone, setting boundaries, and staying open to inspiration, you can unlock new levels of creativity. The journey isn’t always easy, but the rewards are worth it.