Whale Noises, Tom Hanks and How to Find Inspiration

There are many times where I feel like have watched my inspiration leave me via boat while I'm stuck on a deserted island without even a beach ball for me to become friends with.

Nothing is more frustrating than having all of this time set aside to practice and not seeing any growth. As awesome as it would be to just ride this eternal wave of creativity it doesn't happen like that.

I have found it is so important to always be playing frequently with different musicians. Practicing alone in a room is great and needed but you can easily get trapped in a creative box and lose inspiration as the weeks go on.

About a month and a half ago I went up to Flagstaff and stayed in a cabin with some good buddies of mine. One morning my friend got out his guitar and we put on some cheesy youtube backing track and just watched how each other would approach soloing over the same piece of music. I tend to be the type of guitarist that can rely on a pedalboard when I don't know what to play. Less is more, ride the reverb and delay, basically sound like a whale and I'm solid (insert Dory doing the whale noises).

But in that situation, I didn't have my board, I wasn't even playing on my guitar and... I didn't even have reverb...

I was challenged to step away from what is normal for me and really test my abilities to create catchy melodies and interesting rhythms on the spot rather than using sounds from my board to help me do those things. For a good 5 minute jam it was just me and the guitar working together to make something happen.

When you become so used to a certain scenario (using the same equipment, playing with the same people) that is when things become stagnant and inspiration becomes sparse. Always be looking to play with people and be a part of opportunities that will make you musically uncomfortable because its then you are going to see the most growth in your instrument.

Change up where you're finding your inspiration. Try listening to bands or songs that don't have the instrument you play in their lineup. Learn the vocal notes or synth part rather than the guitar line. In your practice time try to make yourself have some sort of struggle.

Watch movies and try and write songs about them. If there was a really cool scene what would you want to hear playing in the background? Write that. Inspiration doesn't just appear out of thin air its something I have come to understand, that you have to search for.

WEEK 2 PLAYLIST IS HERE

I was so hyped making this playlist. All killer bands. Definitely check out that John Mark McMillan song, James Duke is a GOD of tone. But all the songs are solid. Just watched a Wes Anderson movie called The Life Aquatic and it reminded me how much I love that David Bowie song. Enjoy!

I'm hitting the road bright and early with The Ricky Fitts to play our first show in L.A. tomorrow at The Mint. Show is at 8:45, if you live over there I would love to see your face.

https://open.spotify.com/user/fletchermilloy/playlist/6ceMe5zvTBnWzcSC2ElfnK

Life Itself - Glass Animals

In Cold Blood - alt-j

Fountain of Youth - Local Natives

Life on Mars? - David Bowie

Reflections - MisterWives

It Was Love - LANY

Anagogo - Rightwise

Idioteque - Radiohead

Oliver's Army - Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Heart Won't Stop / Stand By Me - John Mark McMillan

#inspiration #music #guitar #whalenoises