Favourite music for battling against a creative block

[Daedalus]

Hello all,

At the moment, I am suffering from a horrible writer's block.  This is most unusual for me but on the rare occasions that it does occur, I tend to fortify myself with books, art and cigars!    Eventually it passes and all is well.

I work on the very simple premise that great art and great creativity go together. So when struggling, I tend to pick up a favourite literary work or put on the radio and hope for an inspiring piece of music. Subsequently, the words often seem to flow. Music, in particular, seems to offer both a creative inspiration and a meditative effect, that soothes and fortifies my mind.

So, with this in mind, I wondered what pieces of music GMG members would favour to unlock their creative block? And, do you believe that music has the power to inspire creativity and fortify the mind of the listener?

D.

[Symphonien]

Very interesting that you started this topic! I am not a writer, but when I have had periods of creative block with composing music there is a particular composer that often inspires me to compose: Sibelius. I'm not sure why, but sometimes when I listen to his symphonies I begin marvelling at how ingenius his structures and organic development are so much that I often get carried away and start thinking about my own compositions. In particular, how to develop some of the ideas I have come up with, and the overall form of works. Often I will start composing again after listening to him.

Perhaps I am not alone in this view. As edward quoted in the Sibelius thread:

Sibelius' mastery of temporal architecture makes him a "composer's composer" par excellence.

[Josquin des Prez]

Very interesting that you started this topic! I am not a writer, but when I have had periods of creative block with composing music there is a particular composer that often inspires me to compose: Sibelius.

I don't know, using Sibelius to get out of a creative block doesn't sound too smart. Then again, i don't think he really ran out of inspiration, he probably just didn't agree with the direction music was taking in his day.

[Daedalus]

Very interesting that you started this topic! I am not a writer, but when I have had periods of creative block with composing music...

Of course, I didn't intend that this thread should just be about writer's block. I really meant any kind of creative activity, whether that be writing, composing, painting etc. etc.

there is a particular composer that often inspires me to compose: Sibelius. I'm not sure why, but sometimes when I listen to his symphonies I begin marvelling at how ingenius his structures and organic development are so much that I often get carried away and start thinking about my own compositions.

In a purely emotional sense, I always find that Sibelius creates pictures in my mind. I tend to relate his music very strongly to certain solitary memories and I can often feel very nostalgic when listening to his work. More often, I relate music to emotions, colours and feelings, so this seems to be something specific about Sibelius.

[Mark]

As a commercial writer (I don't think the term 'copywriter' adequately covers what I do - journalists write copy, too), I'm always afraid of losing the inspiration that drives my particular brand of creativity. In general, classical music as a whole works for me when I feel a block might be around the next mental corner. The only advice I can offer, therefore, is to consider tempi. Do you need to feel energetic to continue your writing? Go for something up tempo. Or do the reverse if that's what's called for.

[mahler10th]

Put on some Lutoslawski.
Put on the headphones or turn it up as much as possible.  One of two results will ensue, most likely the former:
1.  You will have had your brains tossed in some kind of urgent lettuce stew, and you will commence writing, composing, sculpting straight away and wonderful creations will manifest themselves within the hour.
2.  You will have had your brains tossed in some kind of urgent lettuce stew and you will not be happy about it, so you'll put on some Rossini O'tures instead and wonder how you'll get trough it.
Lutoslawski is a real block slayer.

[Haffner]

Anton Bruckner Symphony no. 9 (1st movement)

Brahms Symphony no.1 (1st Movement)

Beethoven "Eroica" Symphony no. 1

Wagner Die Meistersinger (Prelude)

To feel grateful for what you have, try Beethoven op. 132, third movement and/or Wagner's Parsifal Prelude.

[greg]

Nothing helps, really. All I need is enough sleep, enough distance from anticipation of work, enough knowledge accumulated over time, and something to get me wanting to try something out on a musical instrument, and it should be good.

[Symphonien]

In a purely emotional sense, I always find that Sibelius creates pictures in my mind. I tend to relate his music very strongly to certain solitary memories and I can often feel very nostalgic when listening to his work. More often, I relate music to emotions, colours and feelings, so this seems to be something specific about Sibelius.

Hmm... I don't tend to get many specific images in my mind while listening to music but I can say that Sibelius does bring a few, most specifically in Tapiola. For example, in the part fairly near the beginning with the repeated string harmonies underneath the opening melody gradually getting quieter as it is played by different instruments, I always picture a person walking alone in the northern forest while the "camera", if you will, is gradually zooming out until the individual fades away into insignificance. There are some other images in this piece as well, and a few less specific ones in some moments of certain symphonies. I really should explore Sibelius's tone poems further; at the moment my knowledge of him is rather limited to the symphonies. As for memories while listening to music, I haven't really had much of this yet. But then, I am still quite young I suppose!

Put on some Lutoslawski.
Put on the headphones or turn it up as much as possible.  One of two results will ensue, most likely the former:
1.  You will have had your brains tossed in some kind of urgent lettuce stew, and you will commence writing, composing, sculpting straight away and wonderful creations will manifest themselves within the hour.
2.  You will have had your brains tossed in some kind of urgent lettuce stew and you will not be happy about it, so you'll put on some Rossini O'tures instead and wonder how you'll get trough it.
Lutoslawski is a real block slayer.

Interesting. I'm not that familiar with Lutoslawski yet, but when I have listened to him I often think "Wow, wtf is going on?" then in about the last minute or two everything comes together and starts making sense (or confusing me even more in some cases! ). At the moment the only piece that has really grabbed me is the Concerto for Oboe, Harp and Strings - some brilliant sonorities there and I really get the "everything coming together" feeling at the end of the last movement. Can't say I've experienced any creative inspiration through listening to his music though, not yet anyway. You've inspired me to return to his music.

[bhodges]

Rather than a piece of music per se, I'm going to suggest a method devised by a composer, Brian Eno, who years ago created what he calls Oblique Strategies.  It consists of a deck of cards (now available online): when you reach an impasse, you shuffle the deck and deal yourself one, then follow the instructions--or interpret how to follow them as best you can. 

Here is a website that has made an "online version" of the system.  (If you search you'll find others.)  The first "card" I drew said:

Make a blank valuable by putting it in an exquisite frame.

The next one I drew:

Use an unacceptable color.

--Bruce

[mahler10th]

Rather than a piece of music per se, I'm going to suggest a method devised by a composer, Brian Eno, who years ago created what he calls Oblique Strategies.  It consists of a deck of cards (now available online): when you reach an impasse, you shuffle the deck and deal yourself one, then follow the instructions--or interpret how to follow them as best you can. 

Here is a website that has made an "online version" of the system.  (If you search you'll find others.)  The first "card" I drew said:

Make a blank valuable by putting it in an exquisite frame.

The next one I drew:

Use an unacceptable color.

--Bruce

Very interesting Bruce.  Now...
Tape your mouth

[bhodges]

Very interesting Bruce.  Now...
Tape your mouth

--Bruce

[lukeottevanger]

You mean  , surely?

[bhodges]

You mean  , surely?

Oops, yes, you got that one right...  

I mean, 

--Bruce

[M forever]

As a commercial writer (I don't think the term 'copywriter' adequately covers what I do - journalists write copy, too)

I am still trying to understand what it is that you are writing. Can you give an example for what your work is like/looks like?

[Don]

So, with this in mind, I wondered what pieces of music GMG members would favour to unlock their creative block? And, do you believe that music has the power to inspire creativity and fortify the mind of the listener?

D.

I definitely believe that music has the power, but the particular music that will do the trick depends on who's doing the listening.  For me, it's Bach's organ works.

[Novi]

Are you a creative writer, Daedalus?

Can't say that I've found much direct inspiration from music myself, but I definitely agree with you about how music can soothe and fortify.

However, when I've a paper to write, I've been known to stack on the Mozart. Kind of hoping for a fast track Mozart effect . Not sure if it's meant to work outside the womb though ... .

[Haffner]

The Mozart Piano Sonatas (just spin 'em all) can jumpstart a dry creative battery.

[gomro]

Hello all,

So, with this in mind, I wondered what pieces of music GMG members would favour to unlock their creative block? And, do you believe that music has the power to inspire creativity and fortify the mind of the listener?

D.

I am sure that music has the power to inspire and strengthen the receptive listener. ( It will have no effect -- or even a deleterious effect -- on the person that hears it as a cat might, that is, without comprehension. )
In the event of a creative block, I do have certain pieces I fall back on to restore the muse:

Messiaen - Turangalila; Et Exspecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum; Quatuor per la fin du temps
Bartok - Sonata for two pianos and percussion; Concerto for orchestra; Music for strings, percussion and celesta; Piano concerto #2
Stockhausen - Inori; Lichter-Wasser; Freude; Stop und Start; Sonntags-Abschied; Refrain; Trans; Mantra
Feldman - Piano and String Quartet; Coptic Light; Cello and Orchestra; Rothko Chapel; Crippled Symmetry
Wuorinen - New York Notes; Trio for bass instruments; the Dante Trilogy; Genesis; Mass; Two Part Symphony

and many others, that have been tried and true in releasing the creative flow.

And this is as good an opportunity as any to post my latest synaesthetic impression of music; not a Stockhausen piece this time, but a brief tone poem titled Firelights by one Elisabetta Brusa: