Bridog6996: Most guys who are real “composers” or “songwriters” tend to set aside time every day to write something, even if it turns out not to be very good. It’s the equivalent of practicing technique and scales for someone who’s more geared toward performing. Me, I do compose stuff but I mostly just do it as it comes to me. I don’t force anything. I might stumble upon an idea I like while improvising, and then try to flesh it out from there.
Mikecorbett: I usually compose at night, when I got that crazy head. I don’t feel creative in the mornings normally. I like losing myself in a tune for the first time. I compose by recording, so it’s writing, playing, and producing rolled into one session. I like to work really quickly. I use an [Akai] MPC1000 to sequence on, a laptop for soft synths, and I jack all that into Cubase as audio tracks. That way the mix is usually really easy as it’s just a bunch of audio tracks. Recently I’ve being using the MPC to play [Native Instruments] Battery in my main DAW, recording the MIDI notes.
delirium: I usually start with beer, then a glass of wine. If that doesn’t help I go out to dance on the grass. . . .
Tusker: Some part of me is always humming. Sometimes, when I have a project to write for, I listen to see what I’m singing.
Is There Gas In The Car?: It takes discipline. Other tips (that work for me, anyway) are: 1. Start fresh with fresh ears and enough energy so you don’t easily get tired and bogged down, and start thinking that anything you do stinks. 2. Don’t let engineering get in the way. It’s often best simply to just start the recorder and play. 3. Use a metronome or don’t use a metronome. Do whatever works for you. 4. Start with a drum pattern. Sometimes that, in and of itself, can be inspiring. 5. Do a little at a time. Compose in segments, save those segments and use them when you can in a larger project.