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30 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Music

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that making music is not always a
walk in the park.

Some days you just feel it. You can sit down for hours and just write, produce,
sing… time passes by. It’s amazing.

But you and I both know that not every day is like that. In fact, most of the
time? It’s a grind. Let’s be honest.

In this post, I’m going to share 30 ways that you can nd inspiration for your
music. Some of these methods are complex, others are simple. 

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#1 – Set a new goal for yourself
It’s hard to feel inspired and motivated if you’re not really working towards
anything.

Even if you’re a hobbyist, it helps to set a goal for yourself

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPciqmGhxFY). A goal that’s
challenging enough, yet achievable. A goal that excites you.

While you’re at it, Consider setting a long term goal for yourself. Something
super ambitious. After all, what else is going to get you out of bed on those
winter mornings?

If you’re not sure where to start with this, I’ve put together an in-depth
article on setting goals (and systems to actually achieve them).

Read: How to Set Goals as a Music Producer

(https://www.edmprod.com/setting-goals-as-a-music-producer/)

Note: even though I talk speci cally to music producers in that article, the
concepts can be applied to any type of musical profession/hobby. Play guitar? All
good. Go read it.

#2 – Base your song around

visuals
There’s an inextricable link between visual and audio.

It’s why blockbuster lms and broadway dramas are so immersive. Instead
of just one of your senses being engaged, there’s two of ’em.

So, if you’re feeling uninspired, why not use a visual cue? Either nd
somewhere with a good view, or pull one up on your screen (use a site like
Pexels (https://pexels.com) to nd good photos).

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Alternatively, you could use a visual cue to write a melody
(https://edmprod.com/ultimate-melody-guide).

#3 – Mix two ideas together

Maybe you like high energy choruses but you’re also a sucker for funky
breakdowns.

Great! Combine them.

Work your way through your Spotify library and nd two stylistic ideas that
complement each other and inspire you, then get to work.

#4 – Work from a theme

Groovy? Sad? Enlightening?

Pick a theme for your track and you’ll nd inspiration will start owing.

To take this a step further, take notes from an existing song in that theme.
Ask yourself:

What kind of drum/synth/bass/vocal sounds do they use?

Is there anything in this song that really captures my attention?
What do I like most about this song?

For more help with this, check out the Song Palette Strategy.
(https://www.edmprod.com/song-palette-strategy/)

#5 – Listen to the best music you

know
Create a Spotify playlist with 20 of your favorite tracks.
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This will be your last resort when you lack inspiration. Go into your studio,
close your eyes, and put the playlist on.

Chances are, you’ll hear one of “those” songs and you’ll immediately feel
red up and ready to start making some music.

#6 – Clean your workspace

Look, I’m no clean freak, but I do know that it’s a much better feeling walking
into a clean studio than a messy one.

There’s just something demotivating about being around a bunch of clutter

and mess. Take the time to clean up your studio and you’ll feel better for it.

Konmari that shit.

#7 – Download a new tool or

sample pack
Sometimes you just need new source material
(https://www.edmprod.com/free-sample-packs/) and tools to inspire you.

Maybe it’s a new guitar, or if you’re like most people and have a budget—
something like a new sample pack to browse through.

Grab something new and treat yourself. Just don’t fall into the “gear trap”—
where you rely on buying new gear and software to feel inspired all the time.
Do this sparingly.

#8 – Read a book
Fiction, music production-related, it doesn’t matter.

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Pick one up and read it.

Ideas will come.

Need suggestions? Check out The Ultimate Book List for Music Producers
(https://www.edmprod.com/ultimate-book-list-electronic-music-
producers/)

#9 – Time yourself
A sense of urgency can do wonders for inspiration.

Sit down, set a timer for 45 mins, and force yourself to make music.

You might not come up with anything decent, but at least you sat there and
fought the resistance.

#10 – Sleep on it
Sometimes, it’s not that you’re lacking inspiration, it’s that you’re tired.

If it isn’t coming, wait until tomorrow and let your subconscious deal with it
overnight.

This is also a good time to mention that sleep is important. There’s nothing
glamorous about the artist who stays up until 3am every night and walks
around like a zombie the next day. Create a routine and stick to it
(https://www.edmprod.com/make-more-time-for-music/).

#11 – Create something every day

Build the habit of creating music daily.

Write a melody every morning, or put together an 8-bar drum loop.

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Record yourself humming a vocal line into your mic.

Just do something. Be creative every day and you’ll nd that you feel more
inspired too.

#12 – DJ? Have a quick mix

session, or play an instrument
Jump on the decks and mix a few tunes together. It’ll bring you back into the
musical zone.

If you don’t DJ, but do play an instrument, then pick that up and have a jam.
Just relax and see what comes.

And if you do neither, get yourself a cheap MIDI controller so that you can
jam around. It’s worth it.

#13 – Use reference tracks as a

starting point
Not sure where to start? Copy elements from tracks you like and work from
there.

Simply pull a song into your DAW and start analyzing it:

Where is the chorus? What about the verse? How long do they play for?
What instruments are used? When?

Note: there’s nothing wrong with copying the basic structure of an existing
track. Most music in a genre follows a similar structure (verse-chorus-
bridge-chorus)—you’re not “stealing” if you do this.

#14 – Take a break

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Take a couple of days off from producing and you’ll be brimming with ideas
and inspiration by the end of it.

Try to take a complete break from music. Feel free to listen to music, but
avoid any “creative” work. You want to reset.

#15 – Break a rule

Build tension up to nothing, pan your sub-bass, go crazy! Rule-breaking
often brings interesting results.

If it sounds bad, you can x it later. The point is to help you think outside the
box and see what happens.

#16 – Force it
Professionals do not rely on inspiration.

Professionals work whether they feel like it or not,.

You can too. Don’t think that you need to “wait” for inspiration to hit. Just
start working. Fight the Resistance.

If you need help in this area, check out The War of Art
(https://amzn.to/2dcq R) and Turning Pro (https://amzn.to/2dcpZAs) by
Steven Press eld. You’ll read these books multiple times in your creative
pursuits.

#17 – Sample audio from other

sources
Sample songs, movies, and YouTube videos.

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Or, if you’re really feeling old school, head down to your local record store (if
it still exists) and nd some old vinyl to sample.

The old approach is way cooler. Let’s be honest.

#18 – Work on one thing at a time

One common cause of a lack of inspiration is feeling overwhelmed.

In any musical pursuit, and especially in music production, there’s 101 things
you could do (and many that you need to do).

Unless you break the process down into its individual components, you’re
going to feel overwhelmed. So just focus on one thing at a time.

Write the melody. Then write the chord progression. Then add the drums.
Don’t try and do it all at once.

#19 – Remix a track

Instead of working on originals all the time, try remixing.

You don’t need a ton of inspiration to start a remix—there’s already a bunch

of material for you to use.

If you don’t know where to start, read this article

(https://www.edmprod.com/21-remix-tips/).

#20 – Collaborate
Collaboration (https://www.edmprod.com/collaboration/) is a great way to
learn new things and capture new ideas.

Why not invite a friend or local musician over to work on a project with you?
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That, or collaborate with someone over the web using a tool like Splice.
(https://splice.com)

#21 – Travel somewhere

If you have the funds (and the time), consider taking a short trip somewhere.

New sights often lead to inspiration. You’re out of your normal environment,
you’re seeing different people, buildings, landmarks. It’s fun, and you’ll be
buzzing to get back home and work on music.

#22 – Go to a festival
For many producers and artists, what got them into creating was seeing
music performed live.

Even if this isn’t you, going to a concert or festival is well worth your time,
for multiple reasons:

1. It gives you inspiration (obviously)

2. You get to connect with other fans who like the same music as you
(potential future listeners of your music)
3. You get a better sense for what works and what doesn’t on the stage

And once you’re out of recovery mode, all you’ll want to do is be in the
studio.

#23 – Brainstorm
As mentioned before, diving straight into a new project can be an
overwhelming experience, especially if you aren’t inspired and have no
direction.

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To solve this problem, grab yourself a whiteboard or pen and paper and
brainstorm.

Think about what you want your song to be about, what style you want it to
be in, the sounds and ideas you’ll feature in it.

Then, when you’re ready, start turning that brainstorm into something
tangible.

#24 – Be consistent
If you’re only producing when you feel like it, or on an infrequent basis, it’s
going to be hard to sustain the level of inspiration and creativity needed to
have a decent musical output (https://www.edmprod.com/7-actionable-
strategies-grow-musical-output/).

Enact tip #11 and create something every day. Or set a metric for yourself —
e.g., to make music for one hour every day.

Commit to the process and enjoy the fruit of your labor.

#25 – Produce live

If you’re an Ableton Live user then you’ve probably tried this.

Start in session view, keep a loop going, and add stuff as you go.

It’s fun.

#26 – Change your environment

Tip 21 sound like a good idea to you, but don’t have the time or money to
travel?

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Just change up your environment locally.

Go to a coffee shop.

Drive somewhere with a good view and your laptop.

Work somewhere else in your house.

#27 – Have a microphone?

If you have a handheld microphone or sample recorder (like a Zoom H4N),
record a bunch of samples to use in your music.

You could record pots and pans, elastic bands twanging, cutlery, paper being
scrunched up, and 101 other things around the home.

Or you could get out and walk a bush trail, recording the sound of birds
chirping, the wind gushing through the trees.

Sound is everywhere. Capture it.

#28 – Listen critically to other

music
Every now and again, take some time (an hour or so) to do nothing else but
listen to music.

Put together a playlist, or nd an album, and just listen. Closely.

Analyze it in your head.

Think about why it’s good (or bad).

I bet you’ll come away with a bunch of extra ideas for your next project.

/
 #29 – Form a ritual
Form a daily ritual that aids your creative process. You’ll be amazed at how
much more inspired you feel when you sit down to work on your projects.

My current ritual:

Brew a cup of coffee

Clean desk
Get out notepad and pen
Open up Ableton Live, identify my most important task, and get to work

#30 – Get out, get busy, and do

things.
You’re never going to feel inspired if you have cabin fever.

Don’t be a hermit producer. Go out with friends and make memories. Turn
them into tracks later on.

INSPIRATION (HTTPS://WWW.EDMPROD.COM/TAG/INSPIRATION/)

MOTIVATION (HTTPS://WWW.EDMPROD.COM/TAG/MOTIVATION/)

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