Re: Spawning musical ideas?

[Rick Walker <looppool@cruzio.com>]

On 7/22/64 11:59 AM, Gmail wrote:
> How do you guys start your loop sessions? Where do you get your musical 
> ideas? I often have tons of trouble thinking of any kind of melody or 
> chord progression before actually playing, especially when performing. Its 
> like a consistent mind block that occurs every time. Any tips? BTW I loop 
> on a keyboard connected to my laptop.
I've gotten into starting 'performances' coming from different places 
and rotating
these approaches to try and get diversity.

I usually arrange my set list according to timbres of instruments.

from there I have the ability to
start with

1) an ostinato rhythm either on percussion,  bass or other melodic 
instrument.

or

2)  a chord progression

or

3)  an ambiance (pad) that is not rhythmically oriented

Additionally,  if I'm having problems on the day of a gig,  I"ll write 
out a set list
with starting point notes.

********

When you practise,  try playing percussion first.........then do a track 
starting from a bass line....
...then do a track starting from a chordal instrument (once with a 
single line ostinato,  another time
with a progression).

A good thing to remember is to make really, really simple loops.  This 
will give you a lot of space
to work with as you 'populate' your piece.

I tell my beginning looping students to set an alarm clock for 5 minutes 
and force yourself
to play for one solid half hour,  making sure that each piece begins and 
ends in exactly 5 minutes.
This means you are forcing yourself to play 6, 5 minute pieces in 30 
minutes.

Try that a few days in a row and watch what happens to your creativity.

Good luck.

Rick Walker