Use prompts and try to use as many contrast as possible. Be foolish and experiment, what feels stupid and crazy in the moment, is rarely that crazy and stupid afterwards.
New song
Find Contrast in your song for X min
Find ideas on how to create contrast in your song. Volume, bright vs dark, drums vs non-drums, breaks, many vs a few instruments, different instruments, tempo feel, time signature, reverb size, dry vs wet
Production
Stuck
Find X contrast in your song
Find ideas on how to create contrast in your song. Volume, bright vs dark, drums vs non-drums, breaks, many vs a few instruments, different instruments, tempo feel, time signature, reverb size, dry vs wet
Production
Stuck
Add breaks for X min
Add breaks before or after choruses, b-part - Experiment, rather too many than too few, and remove those you don't like another day after having listened to them
Production
Couch
Stuck
Listen after habits until you have found X
What are your go-to solutions, do you always use the same instruments, tempo, synth presets, drum sounds or patterns, the same form, same chord types, same reverbs, delays and so on, so you can change It for something new later on instead
Couch
New song
Stuck
Make X live recordings of your song, to get to know it better
This is a really good way to explore your song, and figure out what you think works and don't work, and often come up with solutions.
Practice
Stuck
Make X new bass synth patches
Try to make them as different as possible and use as many contrast as possible to get inspired.
Production
New song
Make X drum patterns
Make different drum patterns, and make them as different as possible. Slow, fast, few different drums, as many as possible, light, heavy, different samples - Don't be afraid to be playful, and don't judge which one you like immediately. Save all the patterns you make and listen to all of them thoroughly
Production
Couch
New song
Stuck
Make X drum synth patches.
Make different synth drum patches, and make them as different as possible. Different pitch, length, distortion, noise, tone ...
Production
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New song
Record choir for X min
Choose one part and try recording choir, make it your goal to finish within your time limit, instead of making it perfect- so try avoid deleting.
Production
Stuck
Dub your vocals, make X dubs of the vocals in the Verse or Chorus
Choose a part and dub your vocals, try to do it with octaves and be playful.
Production
Make X alternative chord voicings
Make the different versions as different as possible
Production
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Stuck
Make X New chord arp patterns
Make the pattern as different as possible and don't be afraid to experiment.
Production
New song
Stuck
Add strumming effect to your chords
Try it out on one part, and figure out if you like it or not. Maybe use it for one part, be careful with using it on everything
Production
Practice playing and singing your song for X min
To learn about the song you have written and to practice playing and singing at once! Use a metronome and set it to a BPM that makes it easy - The metronome is important!
Practice
Stuck
Find 10-20 lyrics/chord/production/melody prompts for a new song
Try to find prompts for all subjects - you can find inspiration from your favorite songs, or what you think is difficult. A good prompt is a prompt you don't know how to solve!
Lyrics
New song
Listen to 4-8 undone songs, and decide to finish one of them as fast as possible
Listen and make a decision, finish it! No matter if you think you can do it badly or not. Finishing a song is the best thing, no matter if it turns out good or bad - cause no matter what, you learn and get to experience that you're much better than you think!
If you haven't made a form, then make it right away, min. of 3 minutes long
New song
Listen to your song and make a list of what the minimum is to have it be a song
Missing lyrics, parts or just a form?
Production
Stuck
Make a form
Example: Intro - Verse - Chorus - Verse - B-Part - Chorus - C-Part
Maybe you think it's too early in the process, but it's almost never too early! Making a form turns what you make into a song, so you can start to figure out, what it's about.
Production
Stuck
Listen to your previous X songs, and write down contrast to all of them
Example: All three contain drums - so no drums, all three have piano, so no piano
Production
New song
Stuck
Record percussion for X min
Choose one part, and try to record percussion. You can clap
Production
Stuck
Try to make a one take in X attempts
Instead of recording each part separately, try to record one take, so you get to feel the song and put in the right emotions. You can even do multiple takes and copy-paste from the same part if you make mistakes.
Practice
Production
Stuck
Look through your lyrics and ask How/Why questions for X min
Why is this important to me, how, why is it hard for me to answer, is this really me?
Lyrics
Couch
Stuck
Do 5min lyrics
How is it to be me today? don't know what to write, then write about how you don't know what to write
Lyrics
Couch
Hicut your instruments to make room for your vocal for X min, try on all tracks
Maybe even automate it, give it life
Mixing
Production
Couch
Stuck
Journey about your goals and fears for X min
What do you dream of, and what are your biggest current obstacles?
Couch
Stuck
Replicate a song or a part of a song you really like the production of
To learn new tricks and to widen your ears
Practice
Production
Do your practice routine
Singing, guitar, ear training, lyrics, etc.
Production
Adjust reverb length for X min
And maybe also hicut?
Mixing
Production
Make X new melodies for your lyrics
It's tough work, but sometimes this is the key to finishing
Production
Make X instrumental melodies
Maybe you need a melody?
Production
Couch
Stuck
Make an element in a way you have never done before
Hint: Contrast, what do you always do, do the opposite
Production
Delete your placeholders and make your song work without them
Placeholders are your worst enemy if you think it or not. A placeholder is something you don't like but represents something you have thought would be nice! If you build on top of placeholders, which you do if you use placeholders, everything will become 100 times more difficult even though you maybe don't think so. It's a lot like making the foundation for your house half-assed, in the end, you have to start all over at some point
Production
Stuck
Listen for hits that's not in time, for X min/on a particular track
It makes a huge difference
Production
Couch
Stuck
Record X drum samples
Long, short, tonal, low pitched, high pitched
Production
Stuck
Record X tonal samples and add them to a sampler
It can be challenging to record tonal samples that are not instruments, but try!
Production
Stuck
Find a new knob on your favorite synth, and use it to make X as contrastful patches as possible
A knob you have never used before, even better if you don't know what it does! Because learning is living!
Production
Couch
Transcribe a song for X min
Transcribe or learn a song you like, it's good for you in a 100 different ways
Practice
Practice playing the chords in your song for X min
Get ready to record your song
Practice
Stuck
Record/practice your MIDI for X min
Turn your programmed MIDI into performed MIDI, by playing it on a MIDI keyboard
Practice
Production
Stuck
Make alternative versions of your song for X min
To get to know it better and to explore new options you maybe never thought of
Practice
Production
Stuck
Delete all plugins and make a new quick mix in 20 min
Try to avoid your habits and do something new
Mixing
Production
Stuck
Improvise X takes on top of your song
Pick up your instrument of choice make it ready to record, and improvise some takes on top of your song, be playful, explore, and remember to have fun. In the end, listen to your takes save what you like, and delete your mistakes.
Production
Stuck
Record and improvise X bass takes
Put on your song and try to record the bass, with either a bass or a keyboard - try out different approaches and don't be afraid of making mistakes, and then in the end, edit it into a single take. Focus on exploring and being playful
Production
Stuck
Make X new bass melodies for a part
Even if you like your current, then try to explore with as many contrasts as possible for example: Movement, intervals, rhythm, silence, activity, simplicity, and so on
Production
Stuck
Explore new drum samples for X min
Go to your preferred sample pusher sites or Google for new drum sounds. Be brave and try out new sounds, maybe even sound you think sounds terrible!
Production
Couch
New song
Combine drum samples into a drum kit
Combine drum samples into different drum kits, so it's easier next time you need a new and unique drum kit
Production
Couch
Make X different loops with only synth bass and drums
To start a new song, try out different drums & bass sounds - and explore with simplicity & complexity.
Production
New song
Sing and play one of your favorite songs for X min
Singing your favorites songs can be a good way of expanding your voice and learn new colors
Practice
Make 3-6 new chord progressions for your song
Either for a new song or for a new part of an existing song. Try to make them as different as possible. Think of complexity, amount of chords, movement
Production
New song
Stuck
Mute tracks and listen to the song without for X min
How does your song sound without the bass? The drums? Chords? Try it out, and listen for the song without multiple times!
Mixing
Production
Stuck
Find the most important and unique elements in your song and give them more space
For example by deleting your habits or turning the volume up, hicutting or low cutting everything else
Mixing
Production
Stuck
Try out X contrasts
Using contrast is the best way to generate new ideas, to explore your song and find potential in your song. Try out the least safe contrast and you will explore the most.
Mixing
Production
Couch
Stuck
Find a loop without a form and make a form
Though you think it's not good enough, then remember that this is just to get to know your loop and to generate ideas! If you find out you don't like your form, then you know what to change later. So you can only make it easier for yourself to be creative.
Production
Couch
New song
Practice something specific on guitar for X min
Something you have postponed, something you have thought of but never found important enough to do, something you think is hard or something that makes you happy? The important part is that you decide what you wanna practice before you practice
Practice
Practice playing your chords on piano for X min
Performing your music will teach you a lot about your music, make you a better performer and give you the ability to go and play your music live. A good tip is to use a metronome!
Practice
Stuck
Practice playing your song with a slow metronome for X min
Rehearse it so slowly that you can play it without any mistakes, and yes, it can be extremely slow! But in this way, you will grow faster than you thought was possible, and you can get far in 10-15 min!
Practice
Make X new versions of your chords with new inversions
It can be used in the whole song or four bars, but try it out, explore, and hear your song with fresh ears
Production
Couch
Stuck
Make X new versions of your chords with new rhythms
Production
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Stuck
Keep the rhythm of your melody but change the notes, make X versions
You can do this with melodies you like, the goal is to explore, not to change.
Production
Stuck
Make a new vocal chain and compare, start with figuring out what you would like to make "better"
Try to use as little as possible, and for each thing you do, start by saying out loud, what you wanna change and why. If there isn't space for the vocal, then try to hi-cut other instruments, or mute one instrument at a time to figure out which instruments take space, and then turn down the volume
Mixing
Couch
Stuck
Listen to your song and find three things you really like about your song and one thing you're in doubt about
This makes you listen with new and focused ears and can often make you understand your song better.
Couch
Stuck
Find someone to ask for feedback
Ask for three things they like and one thing they would do differently if it was their own song. Remember that it's just an opinion, and do ask until you have tried different things yourself
Couch
Stuck
Use my random chord generator to find 20 chord progressions you like and choose your 3 favorites
A great way to start new songs
Couch
New song
Make X instruments on your using effects and a sampler
Choose a note, add echo, reverb, saturation, EQ or whatever your imagination can come up with, and then resample it and load it into a sampler
Production
Couch
Make X different pad arrangements for a part
Production
Couch
Stuck
Make X Echo madness take
Add delay to a single instrument or vocal, and automate and record the delay while you adjust the time and feedback knobs. It works the best, if you use a tape delay emulation plugin
Mixing
Production
Automate the reverb sends amount
Turn it up on endings, when there is a lot of energy, or down to invite the listener closer
Mixing
Production
Couch
Make 3 different reverb settings and compare them
Reverb types, length, pre-delay, modulation and so on
Mixing
Couch
Mixdown to a stereo track and make X new forms of the song
It's much easier and faster to make new forms with a mixdown track, and it can give you so much inspiration
Production
Couch
Stuck
Dub an instrument with another instrument for X min
Try out different octaves
Production
Find an instrument you don't know how to play, and find something useful to use it for, for X min
Your curiosity is your friend, and doing something you don't know how to do, can be the biggest gift, if you dare to explore, instead of trying to do like people who already know how to play the instrument. Find your own way to use the instrument!
Production
New song
Stuck
Figure out how you have never started a song before and start a song like it! (And finish it!!!!)
Start with a drum beat, an instrument, melody, lyrics, a synth patch, a rhythm, ambiance sound or something else?
Couch
New song
Sit down and close your eyes, try to feel what you wanna do the least and then do it for X min <3
This is my best advice!
Production
Couch
New song
Stuck
Automate Lead gain for X min
Turn it up when the vocal drowns or needs to be more intense
Mixing
Couch
Find something new to learn on YouTube
Learn a new skill and make music-making more exciting!!
Mixing
Production
Couch
New song
Stuck
Ear Training: Interval training for X min
Practice
Couch
Ear Training: Chord identification training for X min
Practice
Couch
Find a synth you have never used before and make 5-10 new patches
Just do it! <3 :D Find the one you think is the most crappy synth! :D
Production
Couch
New song
Write 3-6 new melodies to your new chordprogression
Production
Write about good memories with your music
people liking you or what you do, moments where you felt good, people cheering on you, complements, good collaborations, comments, and so on
Couch
Stuck
Reharmonize your melody, do X reharmonizations
Try it out, it can be fun and gratifying and remember to save your ideas and listen to them thoroughly another day
Production
Couch
Stuck
Do 3-6 Writing Intervals
One interval is 5 minutes of writing and two min break. Use a prompt to write, or write all your thought down, and if you have nothing to write about or no thoughts, then write about how you have nothing. Consider using my 5min Editor
Lyrics
Couch
Find 10-30 exciting words
Choose a paper, website, book, or my WordList Gen and find words you maybe haven't used before, that excites and inspires you
Lyrics
Couch
Choose 10-30 words from your wordlist and make 2-5 sentences for each of them.
Just write, and don't care about if it's good or not - this is mostly to get your creativity up and running - and it's impossible to do good writing if you're constantly thinking about if what you write is good or bad
Lyrics
Stuck
Find 3-8 Exciting Pictures
Decide on which picture you like the most, and use it as a prompt for writing lyrics or music
Lyrics
Couch
New song
Find 3-8 Exciting Video's
Decide on which video you like the most, and use it as a prompt for writing lyrics or music
Lyrics
Couch
New song
Sort your demos and make a system so you know what you have for 5-30 min
Order your music by year and even maybe months, add tags (done, almost done, only drum loop, chord progression), delete duplicates, and export MP3's so you don't have to open the projects to hear what it is another time.
Couch
Management
Search for local artists you can ask to warm up for or play double concerts with until you have found X or for X min
Look through Instagram and go through programs for venues, cafes, bookstores, churches, music stores, music associations or clubs
Couch
Management
Make 2-5 different setlists
Try out different setlists, perform them and try how they feel, this will teach you a lot!
Practice
Management
Find X Spots where you could ask to play
Churches, venues, libraries, cafes, bookstores, art galleries, schools, universities, friends' houses, music shops, comic book shops, other shops, breweries, restaurants, senior centers or retirement homes, festivals or local fairs, museums, shopping malls, yoga or wellness studios, etc.
Couch
Management
Reach out to 1-5 places where you could go and play, from your list
Investigate or ask an LLM what value you could give to the place by coming and playing your music - So it's easier for them to say yes to you <3
A list of small tasks you can do during the week, even when there isn't much time: Write a chord progression, prompts, investigate new samples, listen to your ideas, new bass patch, and so on